Jennifer Matthews: Buying a car, finding a realtor, or remodeling your home ... Chances are you would ask more than one person for advice before making these choices.
Dr. Ralph Damiano: If you were having your house painted, you would often get more than one opinion, and I think your own health is probably just as important as your house.
Jennifer Matthews: Dr. Damiano says there are at least three times you should always get a second opinion:
* Your doctor gives you a rare or serious diagnosis
* Your doctor tells you there's nothing that can be done
* You're feeling fine, but your doctor says you need surgery or other treatment
Surgeon Kim Manwaring welcomes second opinions.
Dr. Kim Manwaring: I have directed families to gain even a third opinion
Jennifer Matthews: And he says other doctors should, too.
Dr. Kim Manwaring: No thoughtful physician would be offended by a patient developing a second opinion relationship with another doctor.
Jennifer Matthews: But what if your doctor is offended?
Dr. Kim Manwaring: I'd think it was a red flag for you, probably very much so.
Dr. Ralph Damiano: You'd probably need a second opinion.
Jennifer Matthews: First try asking your doctor for a referral. If you're not comfortable with that, call the major medical centers in your area. Some hospitals actually have second-opinion hotlines.
Dr. Ralph Damiano: We have a number people can call. They do not have to come see us. Within 48 hours, we will give you a second opinion.
Jennifer Matthews: In most cases, insurance companies will cover a second opinion if it's an in-person visit. Some companies even require one. Make sure you bring a copy of all your most recent tests and your medical records with you.
Dr. Ralph Damiano: You really can almost never bring too much information.
Jennifer Matthews: Myrna Hershman faced invasive bypass surgery. Just before her procedure was scheduled, she got a pamphlet in the mail.
Dr. Myrna Hershman: If anybody told you that you needed heart surgery, and you wanted a second opinion, Barnes is offering free second opinions. So, I said, What could be better than that?
Jennifer Matthews: It turns out, she was a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure.
Dr. Myrna Hershman: When something can be verified, you're more confident that that's the way it is.
Jennifer Matthews: Instead of a large scar and a broken breast bone, she only has a tiny scar, and recovery was a cinch.
Dr. Myrna Hershman: You never know until you really check it out.
Jennifer Matthews: And checking it out could just save your life. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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