Pre-Surgery Advice From Pilonidal Surgeons
The period before any surgery can be scary and nerve-wracking. It is a fearful period full of “what if’s”. If you are a Pilonidal Treatment Center of NJ patient who has chosen and awaits the cleft-lift procedure, let me, the Medical Director, allay your fears. First, bleeding risk is neglible in pilonidal cystectomy. This is because no deep body space is entered. This contrasts with other day surgeries like cholecystectomy. Second, your operation is one with great healing outcomes when done by a specialist, and here you are. Third, wound infection is easily treatable following pilonidal cystectomy. Fourth, you have chosen to be treated by a dedicated pilonidal surgeon. Your decision is a testament to your sound judgement.
If you are a patient in need of a pilonidal cystectomy, however, and you have not yet decided on a surgeon, let me offer some tips. They can really be applied to many of your physician choices. Seek out a dedicated pilonidal surgeon. Truly finding this subspecialist can be tough. Many physician websites are designed to promote a doctor as a pilonidal specialist, yet they are simultaneously doing this for the same doctor across multiple surgical disorders. For example, recently, the first page of doctors listed on a top search engine following “Pilonidal Surgeon” term search showed mostly general and gastric sleeve surgeons. So always do a full review of their website content when you are reviewing prospective doctors online. Be sure that you only pursue physicians that seem to prominently display pilonidal treatment as an offering. And of course be comfortable that your physician choices are well-educated, well-trained, and well-reviewed.
After doing that deep dive into website review, and choosing a phyician, assess whether you are consulting with a true pilonidal surgeon. The question to ask of this prospective doctor, either before or during a consultation, is not “how many pilonidal surgeries do you do in a year?”. The answer is often hyperinflated. The more revealing question to ask is “what portion of your practice is the treatment of pilonidal disease?”. If the doctor reports any less than 50%, be cautious in confirming you have found a true pilonidal surgeon. Be even more cautious scheduling surgery. Good physicians understand this patient cautiousness and respect it. Finally, be comfortable seeking multiple doctor opinions! Ask lots of questions, be informed, and be comfortable.