As a certain surgeons patient, you must do your “due diligence.” Being a certain surgeons patient is not something you should go into blindly. As a certain surgeons patient, you should take the time to learn all you can about the surgeons and the things they treat. It is important as a certain surgeons patient, you evaluate your options and self-educate yourself to learn more about who the surgeon is, how they are rated, and what they can treat. Here is a breakdown of the different types of care providers and what they treat.
Cardiovascular Surgeons
Cardiovascular surgeons are surgeons that provide venous disease treatment. Most people think of a cardiovascular surgeon as the surgeon that focuses only on the heart, but the cardiovascular system is more than just the heart.
This type of care provider addresses the disease of the heart and the blood vessels that feed the heart. Some of these surgeons also provide surgery on the lungs. The cardiovascular system is comprised of the following:
- The heart
- Arteries, veins
- Capillaries
This system carries blood to all of your organs. A cardiovascular surgeon can address things like disease, blockages, and other malfunctions of this system. They specialize in the structure of the heart, cardiac cycle, and treatment of the system.
Typically, you will be “referred” to this type of provider when a general physician finds that you are in need of specific cardiac care. In most cases, this provider is part of a larger care team. They can make recommendations for after care, and for improving heart function. Of course, they are the providers that will perform cardiac surgery or venous surgery should you need it.
Plastic Surgeons
Plastic surgeons are most often associated with making elective aesthetic changes; however, they are surgeons that also provide care for non-elective life-saving procedures as well. For example, they provide maxillofacial treatment for deformities affecting eating, drinking, and breathing, all essential activities.
Yes, you can be a certain surgeons patient of this type of surgeon if you want modifications to improve your appearance, but you may come across this surgeon in cases of trauma as well. These types of surgeons provide the following treatments:
- Reconstruction/modification of a wide range of body parts including the face
- Scar revisions
- Care for burn patients
This provider is tasked with a wide variety of treatment and surgical interventions. The plastic surgeon performs both life-saving and life-improving surgery. Many of these experts focus on specific fields like craniofacial surgery, or modifications.
You may see this type of provider to repair scars, repair trauma, and improve appearance. Depending on the procedure or treatment that you need, it will determine if insurance will cover the costs.
Psychologists
Neurological rehabilitation centers are staffed by psychologists and other providers. Psychologists largely focus on behavioral therapy. Psychologists do not perform any type of surgery but they can help in many different ways.
A neurological rehabilitation center is a medical care center that focuses on diseases of the brain, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and other neurological disorders. These centers offer support for a wide range of healing and learning after an injury or the repercussions of neurological disease. A psychologist is the professional you see for:
- Cognitive disorders.
- Processing/coping disorders.
- Behavioral changes.
Psychologists provide psychotherapies to help calm nervous disorders, teach coping skills, and more. You may be referred to a psychologist for evaluation and treatment. You can self-refer to seeing a psychologist but typically are referred by a psychologist or other professional to be seen at a neurological rehabilitation center.
The services these centers provide can be provided by a range of specialists. Each patient has an individualized treatment plan, but in most cases, a psychologist will be a part of that plan.
Hormone Professionals
HRT specialists are medical doctors that focus their practice on hormone imbalances and hormone replacement therapies. Certain patients will need to see a hormone replacement doctor after surgery. For example, a woman that has had a hysterectomy before the age of 50 may need to see HT specialists.
Hormone replacement therapy replaces hormones that are off balance. Testosterone replacement, estrogen replacement, human growth hormone, and others are used to balance the body, cure symptoms, and improve overall health.
There are several situations when HRT is necessary and there are other situations where hormone replacement therapy is optional. For example, HRT therapy is often used during menopause to relieve the symptoms of menopause. It is not a necessity, but many women opt for this treatment.
Here are some things HRT can treat:
- Low T or low testosterone in men.
- Cancer. It is used to treat some cancers.
- Perimenopause, and menopause.
There is a lot of ongoing research into how hormone replacement therapy can treat cancer and other health problems. You may see this type of provider if it is determined that your hormone levels have been interrupted or you are diagnosed with cancer.
Musculoskeletal Experts
The umbrella of musculoskeletal experts includes orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, and others that focus their practice on the bones of the body. All of these professionals work in conjunction to repair, improve, and heal bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the body.
A certain surgeons patient that sees an orthopedic surgeon for fracture repair or joint replacement, will undoubtedly also see a physical therapist for rehab. The professionals that fall under this umbrella provide complementary services for each other. In other words, if you see an orthopedic surgeon for repair or treatment, you will also have a physical therapist appointment, massage therapy, and other interventions shortly thereafter.
In every case of a musculoskeletal problem, you will see one or more professionals specializing in this area for diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation. The musculoskeletal system is a very important system in the human body that is prone to injury. These professionals work together to get their patients back on their feet.
Here are a few things they treat:
- Arthritis.
- Traumatic injuries.
- Disease of the joints.
You may need care from one or more of the experts under this umbrella of specialists. They see patients that have immunodeficiency disease that affects the musculoskeletal system. They also see patients that have chronic pain and inflammation.
These experts help people to improve mobility, range of motion, and ultimately their quality of life. Most people see these experts at least once in their lifetime. Many people see these experts regularly.
Primary Care Doctors
A family care physician is often the first doctor you see for diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of maladies. This physician is a “general practitioner”, which means that they don’t specialize in any specific body system, they know about all the body systems. When they feel they are out of their league they will refer the patient to see a specialist.
General practitioners are the gatekeepers to other specialists. Most insurance companies require that before you see a specialist your general practitioner does a full workup to justify seeing a specialist. A family doctor is a very valuable asset in anyone’s health care.
These physicians are the physicians that will refer you to become a certain surgeons patient, and will also maintain your health history. Here are some of the services a family doctor provides:
- Health record management. The family doctor is the point of contact for all your other doctors. They keep a record of all your procedures and treatments.
- Preventive services. Vaccines, diagnostic testing, and more are all provided by your family doctor.
- Treatments. Family doctors provide treatments for a wide range of illnesses.
The family practitioner is central to all the other health care treatment you receive. The family doctor is your partner in all of your healthcare needs.
Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are medical professionals that can treat a wide range of illnesses, diseases, and conditions. They can work with or without the supervision of a medical doctor. They can write for prescription medications, medical equipment, and referrals to other specialists.
They can provide acute care, specialty care, and primary care treatments. For example, a nurse practitioner can focus their practice on midwifery, orthopedics, gerontology, and a host of other specialty areas. They can also provide preventive treatment, education, and diagnostic services.
In most settings, they have the same rights as a medical doctor. Here are some of the healthcare services you will find with a nurse practitioner:
- Diagnostic testing. NPs can order blood work, imaging, and other diagnostic testing.
- Admit patients to the hospital when needed.
- Treat traumatic injuries.
An NP can provide the same type of medical care that you find with a general practitioner. Everything from preventive care to stitches to providing care for a terminally ill patient is available from an NP.
An NP can be found in private practice, working in clinics, and working in hospitals. You will likely run across an NP during your healthcare journey.
Dental Surgeons
Dental surgeons are specialists that deal with all sorts of oral health problems. They are the experts you see when you need a tooth extracted, or for gum disease treatment. If you are a certain surgeons patient of this type of provider, you have some oral health issue that needs treatment.
Every dental surgeon is a dentist, but not every dentist is a dental surgeon. It takes years of additional training and education to become a dental surgeon. A dental surgeon specializes in oral surgery to remove teeth, repair the jaw, change palette structure, and more.
A dental surgeon or a maxillofacial surgeon provides the following treatments:
- Reconstructing defects and injuries.
- Temporomandibular joint correction.
- Removing oral cancer masses.
These specialists treat a range of soft tissue diseases of the mouth as well as address the teeth and structure of the mouth. In many cases, the surgery that is performed is done to alleviate pain and the risk of serious complications.
Your general dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon if you have an impacted wisdom tooth, gum disease, or another problem that cannot be addressed by the general dentist. Many people will see a dental surgeon at some point for care.
Gastroenterologist Surgeon
A gastroenterologist surgeon or GI surgeon is a surgeon that specializes in digestive tract issues. The digestive tract includes several organs. When those organs are not performing as they should, your family doctor will likely refer you to a GI doctor, who in turn may refer you to a GI surgeon.
These specialists are often seen to treat GI disturbances that affect the quality of life. They are also the experts that manage weight-loss surgery. They manage any gall bladder, stomach, pancreas, intestines, rectum, colon, and esophagus disturbance.
The entirety of the digestive tract falls under the purview of the GI doctor. They treat diseases associated with these organs including
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Cancer of any of the organs.
- Ulcers.
The GI surgeon uses diagnostic tools to diagnose a wide array of illnesses and conditions of the GI tract. They can remove polyps, blockages, and make repairs. They manage hernia surgeries, gall bladder surgery, and upper GI tract surgeries.
These experts are also the experts that manage invasive diagnostic testing like colonoscopies. If you suffer from GI problems it is likely at some point you will consult with a GI surgeon about treatment options. That is a critical part of any GI care team.
The More You Know
One of the best ways to be proactive with your health care is to learn as much as you can about health care providers and the treatments that they offer before you become a certain surgeons patient. It is always best to enter into a treatment plan with your eyes wide open and being fully informed.
You should also know that it is perfectly acceptable to shop around for a provider before you become a certain surgeons patient. Ask plenty of questions and ensure that you read reviews about what other people have to say. Learn more today about becoming a certain surgeons patient.
