by Melody St. John

Created on: June 25, 2009

Any form of surgery is associated with certain risks. So if you need to undergo a surgical procedure, it is imperative that you have a clear picture of what to expect prior, during and after the procedure.

Prior to surgery, your doctor will discuss with you the basic facts regarding your condition and why you need to be operated on. During this time, you can freely talk with your doctor any doubt or question you have in mind pertaining to your condition as well as to the surgical procedure itself. This process is essential as it is the primary requisite for obtaining an 'informed consent' which should be in place prior to any surgery.

You will be discussing with your doctor the benefits and risks associated with the surgical procedure you're about to undergo. You will also be told about certain things to watch out for which are specific to your case and the surgery.

However, there are general risks that normally come with any surgical procedure. These include the following:

1) Complications of Anesthesia during surgery

Although quite rare, anesthesia complications can occur in certain patients that have adverse reactions to the anesthetic drugs used. This can also occur as a result of problems related to intubation or the insertion of a breathing tube. Aspiration of food or fluid into the lungs can also be problematic during surgery.

A life threatening reaction called malignant hyperthermia is characterized by a sudden rise in temperature. While this seldom occurs, it's advisable to talk this out with your surgeon or anesthesiologist.

2) Bleeding during and after surgery

Whereas bleeding naturally occurs during a surgical procedure, excessive hemorrhaging is not. When blood loss is greater than normal, you may need to have a transfusion. And if bleeding reaches a critical point, surgery may be stopped or a substantial blood transfusion may be given.

The issue of blood transfusion should also be discussed before surgery as it is prohibited in certain religions.

Bleeding from the incision site can also occur after a surgical procedure so it is important to follow closely the doctor's instructions on how to prevent bleeding after surgery.

3) Formation of blood clots

Blood clots can form in the surgical area or can develop as a result of inactivity during recuperation from surgery. Commonly known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), this condition is the reason why surgeons emphasize the importance of moving around during the recovery period. As you move

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