Follow-Up Visits

Many patients will require one or more follow-up visits. For example, some patients may have a problem that is reasonably expected to heal on its own. In these cases, serial examinations document recovery and relief of pain. These visits are also useful to review patient responses to any interventions such as medications, therapy, or acupuncture.

Other patients may require surgery, but need additional testing performed first. A follow-up visit after completion of the additional tests allows you to review the new results with your surgeon personally so that the best course of action can be undertaken. Many patients travel from far away for their initial consultation. In these cases, or for any other reason as the patient prefers, we would be happy to review the results of new tests over the phone.

Some patients do not wish to make a decision to have an operation at the first visit. We encourage patients to take some time after the initial consultation to review their options with loved ones or family physicians, and to make the decision to pursue surgery when they are comfortable. The decision whether to have surgery can be difficult sometimes, and it’s a decision that is best not rushed.