If you have ever considered surgery, especially major surgery, somewhere along the line you might have wondered whether or not you would be a good candidate for surgery. And those who have gone through a surgical procedure recently may know that your physical and mental state does indeed affect your chances of being approved for surgery. There are a wide variety of factors that can have an impact on the surgery itself and the recovery period that follows. This is why it is so important to have an open and honest conversation with a medical professional before any major procedure.
Physical and Mental State
A young individual that lives a healthy lifestyle is most likely a good candidate for surgery, but this is not always the case. There are patient-specific elements that need to be taken into account with each procedure as there could be underlying conditions that can affect the outcome of the surgery. The ideal patient is someone who is in good physical health and has the mental resolve to cope with all the potential post-operative results. It is also someone who understands the procedure and recognises the risks involved and has realistic expectations of the benefits of the procedure.
A patient that suffers from chronic conditions, for example, heart disease or diabetes, might be advised against having surgery because there is an increased risk. A patient’s lifestyle could also influence their eligibility for surgery and a surgeon will enquire as to whether the person is a long-time smoker and whether or not they have a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Certain medications can interfere with the procedure as well so be sure to inform your surgeon about anything that you have taken recently.
A good candidate for surgery is someone that knows exactly what they wish to get out of a procedure and has sensible expectations. If an individual believes that surgery is a simple path to happiness and that it will immediately improve their self-esteem, they might not be in it for the right reasons. A patient needs to have the mental capacity to deal with complications if they do arise and has to be able to cope with disappointment if the results are not what they desired. Recovery from major surgery is often a long process and you have to be in a good frame of mind throughout the entire process to better handle anything that comes your way.
Contact Centurion Day Hospital to book a consultation with one of our qualified surgeons if you are considering surgery. We will help guide you towards the right procedure and answer any questions you may have to put your mind at ease. We recognise that each has different needs and aim to provide personalised solutions to address each individual’s concerns.