FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The answers below are general and apply to most situations. The individual plan is decided in consultation, after the examination.

• Do I need a referral to be seen?

  Yes. In the Quebec public system, a plastic surgery consultation requires a referral from a physician — your family doctor, another specialist, a specialised nurse practitioner, or the emergency department. The request is sent to the office, which then contacts you to arrange the appointment. If you do not have a family doctor, a front-line service or a walk-in clinic can write the referral.

• How long will I wait?

  Waiting times depend on how urgent the condition is and vary from one period to another; quoting a figure here would be misleading. Acute situations — trauma, infection, wounds — are seen quickly, often through the emergency department. Chronic conditions wait longer. If your condition deteriorates while you are waiting, say so: the priority can be reviewed.

• Is surgery covered by RAMQ?

  Reconstructive and functional surgery of the hand and upper limb, performed in a public institution, is covered by the public health insurance plan for those eligible. Bring a valid health insurance card to every visit. Some items are not covered — splints, certain dressings, medications — and purely cosmetic surgery is not covered either. The office will tell you clearly what applies in your case.

• Will I be fully asleep?

  Not necessarily. A great deal of hand surgery is done under local anaesthesia or a nerve block of the arm, with or without light sedation. The arm is completely numb, you are awake but relaxed, and recovery is considerably faster than after a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist will discuss with you which option best suits your operation and your medical history.

• When can I go back to work?

  This depends far less on the operation than on what your job asks of your hands. Office work is often resumed within days to a few weeks, sometimes with adjustments. Demanding manual work, prolonged driving or lifting means waiting for the tissues to heal and strength to return — a matter of weeks, sometimes months. It is discussed before surgery so you can arrange your time off.

• When can I drive?

  When you can hold the wheel firmly, make an emergency manoeuvre without hesitating because of pain, and are no longer taking medication that causes drowsiness. A cast or splint that limits grip generally rules out driving. Check with your insurer as well: in the event of an accident, the question of your fitness to drive can be raised.

• Will I need therapy after the operation?

  Often, yes — and it is a decisive part of the result, not an optional extra. The hand therapist sets an exercise programme, makes a custom splint where needed, and monitors movement and swelling. A technically successful operation followed by neglected therapy gives a worse result. Most of the exercises are done at home, between sessions.

• Can I be seen in French or in English?

  Yes, in both languages. Say which you prefer when you write or when the office calls, and it will be noted in your file. If you are more comfortable in another language, say so: hospitals in the network have interpreter services, and it is better to arrange one in advance than to work around a misunderstanding during the consultation.

• Can I get a second opinion?

  Of course, and it is entirely reasonable — particularly before major or irreversible surgery. A second opinion offends no one and does not compromise your care. The office can send your imaging and reports to the colleague of your choice. Take the time you need: apart from acute situations, a decision to operate almost never has to be made the same day.

• Can I use the site’s form for an urgent problem?

  No. The form sends an email to the office and is not monitored continuously: it is suitable neither for emergencies nor for detailed clinical questions. For nursing advice at any hour, call 811 (Info-Santé). For an emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency department. For a question about a dressing or a medication after recent surgery, call the office during opening hours.