Five Questions to Ask Before Gallbladder Cancer Surgery
If you’ve decided to have surgery for gallbladder cancer, it will be important for you to communicate openly and often with your treatment team. There will be a lot of information for you to take in, and you might understandably feel a bit confused or overwhelmed. Becoming well-informed will increase your confidence in your health care decisions, and also help you achieve the best possible outcome and quality of life.
How to prepare for gallbladder cancer surgery
As you get ready to undergo surgery, be sure to raise any and all concerns that you have. For instance, you may want more information about your likely recovery time so that you can better plan your work or activity schedule. Or, you might be interested in getting a second opinion or exploring clinical trials. Remember, your treatment team is there to help you, and every question deserves a thorough answer, no matter how minor the issue may seem.
To help you get a discussion started, here are five questions that you might want to ask your surgeon about gallbladder cancer surgery:
- What is the purpose of the procedure you are recommending?
- Will I experience any side effects related to my surgery? If so, how can I manage them?
- Will I need to be hospitalized for this surgery? If so, for how long?
- What can I expect during my recovery? How long will it take?
- How many times have you performed this specific procedure? What is the typical outcome?
If you are looking for a surgeon to perform your gallbladder cancer surgery or seeking a second opinion, you are welcome to turn to the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center. We offer a full range of treatment options for gallbladder cancer, including novel surgical techniques and other therapies available exclusively through our robust clinical trials program. Our multispecialty team is here to address all of your needs and concerns regarding your surgery and recovery.
If you’d like to learn more about gallbladder cancer surgery, contact Moffitt at 1-888-663-3488 or complete our new patient registration form online. No referrals are required.