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.

How We Optimize Surgical Outcomes

Prehabilitation

We may prescribe "prehab," a regimen of targeted exercises, nutritional optimization, and stress reduction in the weeks before surgery to enhance physical readiness.

Delirium Prevention

We are experts in identifying and preventing postoperative delirium, a common condition affecting 30–40% of older surgical patients that can lead to permanent decline.

Co-Management

We work alongside the surgical team to co-manage medical care. Research shows this collaboration shortens hospital stays and reduces complications like pneumonia.

Discharge Coordination

We act as a bridge between the hospital and home, determining the safest discharge destination and ensuring recovery instructions are clear to prevent readmission.

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 can provide consultation during the hospital stay to assist with pain management, delirium, and discharge planning. However, engaging us before surgery (for prehabilitation) 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.