Before you come to the Surgery Center of Fort Collins, one way to make sure that you’re being treated appropriately is to make sure your doctor has the full picture. One of the best things you can do for yourself is take an active role in your health. If you aren’t feeling well – no matter how minor or serious it may seem – it is a good idea to make notes that you can eventually share with your healthcare provider, as these could be indicators of an underlying condition. Here are a few things to include:
- List symptoms. Include any symptoms you might be feeling; that might include a fever, sore throat, stomachache, etc. Symptoms that are particularly important are chest pain, shortness of breath, or abdominal pain. Try to be as specific as possible as you record information. Include when the symptoms started and how long they lasted. If you are experiencing pain, try to rate the severity of the pain.
- Include mental health. If you’re feeling more anxiety than usual, make a note of that and anything that might be triggering the anxiety or stress.
- Write down questions. Don’t be afraid to share any theories about what you’re feeling. You may have questions related to your diet and how it could be affecting your health, or symptoms that you’re not sure should be concerning.
You know your body better than anyone! So, if you’re feeling symptoms that you think are unusual, start taking notes to share with your doctor at your next appointment. Even if you are seeing your doctor on a routine wellness visit, feel free to share your notes. If the doctor feels it’s necessary to take a closer look at the symptoms you’ve raised, you’ll probably need to schedule another appointment. Remember you are your body’s best advocate, and it is okay to be proactive when it comes to your health. And if you do need surgery, we hope you’ll choose our physician-owned and -operated facility that offers patients a world-class, multi-specialty place to go for non-emergency surgery. Have your provider contact us to schedule or call us at 970-821-8634 for more information.