What to ask when shopping for a neuro -surgeon?

annevmason · New User Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 7

Last week my neurologist informed me that the lesion that was observed in my first MRI a month ago has grown 1 cm along one axis in the last month as seen in a 2nd MRI. He has now referred me to a neuro surgeon.

So -- now I'm shopping a a neuro surgeon to treat the tumor which has been called a "relatively" low grade Glioma.

I will be meeting with the surgeon he recommended who is a USC, a surgeon at UCLA and one at Cedar's Sinai.

I am looking for suggestions on questions to ask the surgeon that could effect the quality and success of my treatment. Especially would like information on what you felt was important in your care and anything that you that I should be sure to ask about.

Thank you

Noid · Experienced user Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 57

Did you're doctor refer you to one in particular? I'm a bit behind the phase you are at right now, as i'm still waiting for results on the growth of what i have going on in your brain. If I were in your position, I would ask my neurologist who he or she would recommend, and visit that surgeon to get a good general idea of how you feel about him. Check out his credentials online, and asking around never hurts either. If you are uncomfortable with the neurosurgeon they recommend, you could either call your neurologist to tell them that you feel uncomfortable with who they recommended (sometimes this offends them, but it is your brain you know), or do some self searching on your own. If you need a referral from a doctor for your insurance to cover it, finding your own may be difficult, but if you explain the situation to your family doctor (not the neurologist with the crappy referral), they may be able to recommend someone else, or refer you to the neurosurgeon of your choice.

I haven't gone through the neursurgery process, but I have another medical condition involving adhesions throught my abdomen and chest. We don't know where they came from but were discovered by laproscopy. I was uncomfortable with the doctor that wants to do my next surgery to remove some new ones, so i'm going through the process of finding a surgeon i'm comfortable with. Just remember, when it comes to insurance...loopholes are our friend..

brainman

Hi Anne, glad to hear from you. My surgery was not that traumatic. I have a dent on my head now is the only outward sign.

Questions you should ask... I think any of the neurosurgeons at either of those three centers of excellence will be good choices. I do not have a list of question for you just an advice: Go with the surgeon who you trust the most... listen to your heart while talking with them. Ask them personal questions to see who will open up to you. Tell them what you expect from them and see how they reply. Ask them what you can expect pre and post surgery and take notes to compare. HEHEHE... seems like I do have a list after all Laughing

. But basically these are questions intended to help you find the doctor you will be trusting your brain with. In other words, I do not have standard answers (one size does not fit all).

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep us informed.
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Trigggl · Regular Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Posts: 25 Location: LR, Ar

When I went to the emergency room (thank God for my wife), there were basically two options. The first surgeon may have been the best in the world, but he was rude to my wife and wouldn't answer her questions. The second guy was polite, answered my wife's questions and seemed to care. She went with the second guy. I'm still an engineer, so he must have done something right. I also have a dent in one side of my head, but it isn't very noticeable. My scar would be pretty ugly if it were visible, but my surgeon made the cut behind the hairline. With the 28 staples, it was pretty ugly for a little while. I have a link to a couple of pictures at my website. Quesy beware. I think it looks cool myself, but as I said, it's behind the hairline and not visable. Maybe it's better if you don't look. I don't want to scare you. I kept the staples, but haven't figured out what I want to do with them.
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