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If you are facing potential surgery, there are many things you can do to prepare. The following information will guide you through the stages of a typical surgical journey in Michigan.

Surgery is not right for everyone

You have the right to make your own decisions about your care, guided by the advice of health professionals. Once you find out you may need surgery, it’s important you talk to your healthcare team about your treatment options and decide together about your treatment plan. Make sure you fully understand your treatment options so you can consider the benefits and risks before you agree to any treatment.

My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Michigan website

If you decide to have surgery, staying active and eating well in the months before will help your recovery. Book a GP appointment in the months before your surgery if you have other health conditions that need management.

My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Michigan website

If you choose to go ahead with treatment, you will be asked to give your informed consent.

This means that you understand your condition and any proposed treatment. Once you have all the information you need, the doctor will ask you to sign a consent form.

Before signing this consent form, it is your doctor’s responsibility to clearly explain any information that relates to your medical condition and treatment, so you can make an informed decision.

It is your responsibility to make sure you understand the risks by asking as many questions as you need to. You can refuse or withdraw your consent at any time before the surgery. from another healthcare professional.

Once you have your surgery date, there are certain things you should do to prepare, especially in the week leading up to surgery. in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Michigan. There are common reasons for your surgery to be cancelled.

They include: medications not stopped at the right time. in My Surgical Journey on Safer Care Michigan. It is common to feel nervous on the day of surgery.

If you are unsure of anything, there will be opportunities to ask questions at each stage during your day of surgery.

While each hospital may have a different order of doing things, to find out more about what typically happens see in My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Michigan website. As soon as your surgery finishes your recovery begins; your recovery starts in hospital and will continue at home. of your surgery or you may be required to spend some time in hospital.

My Surgical Journey on the Safer Care Michigan website. Deciding if you should have surgery or not To find out more about this stage, see Do I need surgery? You’ve decided to have surgery Speak to your healthcare team over 65 years old not very active needing help with daily tasks losing your balance easily or have fallen over before For more information about how to prepare for your surgery to get the best outcome, see Getting ready for surgery and my recovery Consenting to treatment If you are still unsure about the treatment options presented to you, you have the right to get a second opinion You’ve been given your surgery date To find out more, see I’ve been given my surgery date Surgery cancellation the hospital has cancelled your surgery your circumstances have changed fasting incorrectly For more information, see Surgery cancellation Day of your surgery Day of my surgery You’re ready to go home Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may be able to go home on the same day To find out more about your recovery after surgery, both in hospital and at home, see After my surgery .

Key Points

  • If you choose to go ahead with treatment, you will be asked to give your informed consent
  • This means that you understand your condition and any proposed treatment
  • your responsibility to make sure you understand the risks by asking as many questions as you need to
  • There are common reasons for your surgery to be cancelled
  • common to feel nervous on the day of surgery