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HI al The following is a partial lisat of questions to ask your DBS Surgeon. I have compiled these off the top of my hea and with the experience of having DBS imiplanted 10 years ago (. May 1999..) Also,I have had Relacements because of batttery failure 3 times on each side ONe of those times was a catistrophic sudden failure. There was a delay of 18 hours from faiure to replaceent during which ti I experienced severe dyskinesia. Also. I am a physician now retired physician. 1. _Risk/benefits_ As you should before any major medical/surgical intervention.- ask the physician What are the potential risks to you and the potential benefits? . In other words what improvements can expect you immediately after surgery. What are the benefits and (possible short term and longterm risks ) with and without the surgery vs. what you can expect with and without the surgery? Also is the timing of surgery now now or in the future optimum,? 2. _The surgeon_ Where is your surgeon trained(?DBS was begun to be widely used in France) How long has he/she been doing DBS and how many DBS implants has he(she) done? What is her/his complication and mortality rate with this procedure, DO you like and trust him? Is he/she open and honest with you or do you find hi/her defensive when answering these questions? Remember you aren't interviewing him/her to be your buddy but yiu should trust him /her and feel comfortable with your doctor. _3. Teaching__ _Who is actrually doing the surgery.? Especially in a teaching hospital part of the surgery.is often done by residents. The placement of the leads is the most critical part of the surgery. Others may assist but the Surgeon of record should be doing crucial parts of the procedure. Make sure that you are comfortable wtth Residents assisting (I am! am presuming the primary surgeon is present,) Be sure that you are comfortable with that or tell your doctor if you are not, 4. . _Travel and Follow-up _ How long should it take to adjust the stimulators. and who will do it? - if not an MD then what is their training? I have had good and bad Physicians Assistants and nurses as well as MDs How many trips should it take to Montreal? -especially since it seems that you wil have to travel a long distance. Does all follow-up need to be done by him(her) or is there someone closer to you qualified. _5. Stimulator _ Which model of the Stimulator(s) currently approved is going to be and will they be implanted and bilaterally or unilateraly?. Will you have the ability to adjust it yourself(within the parameters set by your MD.) ? Is the surgery done by your MD in 1 or 2 procedures. (This varies among doctors.) _9. Emergencies _What do you do if the Stimulator stops working- either turned off by eg store security osystem or sudden battery or lead failure?. Who do you call (be sure that if it is a hospital ER that you have someone on the other end who knows something about DBS. (This from bitter experience) Charles T. Meyer, M.D. Middleton (Madison) WI . kbachn wrote: > I'm about to go for an evaluation for DBS in Montreal later on this month > > What 'd be the questions to ask? Your responses would be much appreciated. > > Regards, Ken (41yrs old, dx 5 yrs) > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn