(June 25, 2009) — What exactly is meant by minimally invasive surgery? Laparoscopic surgery? Bloodless surgery? Am I too old for surgery? Should I seek a second and even a third opinion before considering surgery?

These are among the questions that general surgeon Dr. Salvatore Forcina, chief of surgery at Meadowlands Hospital, will answer at the upcoming “Dinner with the Doctor” event, scheduled for Thursday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m., at the Secaucus hospital (located at 55 Meadowlands Parkway).

Forcina, whose work as a surgeon using the latest advances in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery has been featured recently in the media, will provide attendees with answers to questions.

“Patients and their families can demystify the entire process when they are better educated, when they know the right questions to ask, even when time is short as in the case of emergency surgery,” said Forcina, who has practiced for more than 30 years at hospitals throughout northern New Jersey, and is fluent in Spanish, Italian and English. “They shouldn’t be afraid to ask any surgeons they are considering questions relating to their experience in performing that specific surgery, what the possible complications and risks are, the expected recovery time, other options they may have, and so forth. An educated decision is the best decision.”

To register, call 201-392-3547 or e-mail bshaw@libertyhcs.org. This session is limited to the first 50 respondents. Free parking, while attending this session, is available.