THE CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 23, 1976

Most people are cowed by doctors, hospitals, surgery. These doctor-authors tell you to be more bullish: know what you're in for, what to expect, what to demand. They are opinionated--down on unionized hospitals, hard on nurses, interns, residents--and flippant--given to puns and med-student humor--but savvy. Sometimes their descriptions of procedures (especially urological) are more anxiety-inducing than anyone needs. But their account of typical elective surgery, from premedication through to the recovery room, is first-fate and powerful. The straightforward description of who's doing what and why in the O.R. is far better than anything you've seen on TV. Some of the consumer advice borders on the masochistic. It's hard to imagine a patient asking to see his room before admission, demanding to see the top guy in the middle of a test that's going badly, or complaining about staff or diet without invoking hostility or vengeance. The general admonitions to ask questions, volunteer pertinent information (""the veins in my right arm are usually easier""), make sure you're getting the right medication and diet are only good common sense all too often neglected. The title notwithstanding, the book reflects the authors' opinions, not the concerted effort of consumer magazines or organizations.

Pub Date: June 23, 1976

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1976

Categories: NONFICTION