How to get a Second Opinion w/o offending?

I started going to a cardiologist when I moved to LI because I have SVT. It is not a severe case and my previous Drs have always had me on the lowest dose of propanolol.

This Dr. recommends ablation (surgery). I feel that any kind of invasive surgery especially in MY HEART should be a last resort and only if a condition is life threating.

Anyway, I would like a second opinion but I like my Dr and don't want to offend him. How do I go about doing this - I have never gotten a second opinion before.

TIA

Oh and sorry for writing a book!

Re: How to get a Second Opinion w/o offending?

Believe me, your doctor has other patients getting second opinions several times a month or more, and he himself is the second opinion for other doctors' patients ever month or more. It's just part of the job.

My mother has a very close relationship with her oncologist; she's seen her for 3 years and they've been through a lot together. She got some particularly bad news last month and told the doctor that she wanted a 2nd opinion, the oncologist told her that it was a good idea and gave her the name of a doctor to go to. Really.

Again, it's part of the job, it happens to your cardiologist weekly, and he shouldn't be offended.

Good luck to you.

Re: How to get a Second Opinion w/o offending?

The doctor should not feel offended by a second opinion. Just call another dr. and make an appointment.

For the record, I have SVT and will not have ablation. It was suggested to me too, but why mess around with my heart if my condition is not dangerous.

Re: How to get a Second Opinion w/o offending?

a good doctor should not get offended for you wanting to seek a second opinion - and if he DOES get offended, i would look for another doctor!!

and just to make you a little less nervous, my FIL had ablation, and it was the best thing he ever did - not saying that it is right for you, but in the right cases, it can work wonders

Re: How to get a Second Opinion w/o offending?

Your doctor will not be offended, trust me. Last week I changed dr's within the same practice for something else and I was a little nervous b/c I didn't want to "offend" the other dr. but in disucssing it with the new dr., she assured me they are not offended by the switches and second opionions. It's your right as a patient.