Perioperative Consulting • Serving Nassau & Suffolk County

Medical Guidance for Safe Surgery and Faster Recovery

Surgery is a major stressor for the aging body. Geriatric Physician Consultants provides a "Perioperative Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment" to optimize your loved one's health before the operation and manage their recovery afterwards, minimizing complications like confusion and prolonged hospital stays.

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What Is Perioperative Geriatric Consulting?

Perioperative consulting is a specialized medical service where a geriatrician partners with your surgeon to manage the unique risks older adults face. It involves a "Perioperative Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment" (CGA) that evaluates a patient's "physiological reserve", their body's ability to withstand the stress of anesthesia and surgery. Unlike standard pre-op clearance, this approach actively optimizes the patient’s health through "prehabilitation" and closely manages their post-operative care to prevent functional decline.

Doctors in surgery room during operation

Is Your Loved One Truly Ready for Surgery?

Standard surgical evaluations often overlook age-related vulnerabilities. A consultation with Dr. Desire is critical if your loved one faces these risks:

Frailty and Low Reserve:

If the patient is frail or has low cardiorespiratory reserve, they may struggle to bounce back from anesthesia without a specialized plan.

Cognitive Concerns:

Patients with even mild memory issues are at high risk for postoperative delirium, a sudden state of severe confusion.

Complex Medication Lists:

Certain medications (like anticoagulants or sedatives) can increase surgical risk or cause complications if not properly managed.

Unclear Goals:

If you are unsure whether the surgery aligns with your loved one's quality of life or values, we facilitate "Shared Decision Making" to weigh the pros and cons objectively.

Preparing You for the Surgery Journey

Pre-Surgery Nutrition

We advise you on nutritional strategies and exercises ("prehab") you can encourage at home to help build your loved one's strength before the operation.

Spotting Delirium

We explain what "post-operative delirium" looks like, so you aren't caught off guard if your loved one acts confused after surgery and know to report it immediately.

Understanding Risks

We help you understand the specific risks of anesthesia for older adults, helping you weigh the pros and cons before consenting to elective procedures.

Discharge Readiness

We give you a checklist of questions to ask the hospital discharge planner, ensuring you have all the equipment and instructions needed before you bring your loved one home.

Dr. Nathanael Desire from GPC Consultants

A Medical Partner Beyond the Operating Room

Surgeons are experts at the procedure itself, but they often lack the time to manage the complex medical and social needs of an aging patient. Dr. Nathanael Desire focuses on the whole person. By evaluating "vulnerability" through frailty screenings and managing pain without cognitively harmful drugs, we ensure the surgery improves quality of life rather than diminishing it.

Navigating Rehabilitation on Long Island

Choosing the right rehabilitation facility is just as important as choosing the right surgeon. We help families evaluate local rehab centers based on their ability to handle complex geriatric needs, ensuring your loved one receives the specific therapy required to regain their independence.

Common Questions About Surgery Planning

1. What is the difference between a surgical clearance and your assessment?

A standard clearance simply checks if a patient is likely to survive the operation. Our Perioperative Assessment evaluates how well they will recover. We focus on preserving independence and mental function, not just heart and lung stability.

2. Can you help if my parent is already in the hospital?

Yes. We guide you on the specific questions to ask the hospital team regarding pain control and delirium prevention. This empowers you to be an effective advocate at the bedside. However, engaging us before surgery (for prehabilitation advice) yields the best results.

3. My parent got very confused after their last surgery. Can you prevent that?

This is likely postoperative delirium. While it cannot always be 100% prevented, our risk reduction strategies, including medication adjustments and specific hydration/sleep protocols, significantly lower the chances of it happening again.

Medical Consultations from GPC Consultants

Prepare for a Safer Surgery and Smoother Recovery.

You have questions. Dr. Desire has answers. Claim your complimentary session today and get the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.