Patient resources
Questions to ask your surgeon
Good questions are how you tell a recommendation from a sales pitch. Bring these to any surgical consultation, here or anywhere else. A surgeon who welcomes them is telling you something useful.
About the diagnosis
Start with the cause, not the operation.
- What do you think is causing this, and how confident are you?
- What testing would make that more certain?
- What else could this be?
About the options
Every reasonable option should be on the table, including the nonsurgical ones and the option of waiting.
- What are all of the treatment options for this, not just the surgical ones?
- What happens if I do nothing for now?
- Why are you recommending this option over the others for me specifically?
About the operation itself
Specifics matter more than reassurance.
- What exactly is changed anatomically, and is it reversible?
- What are the most common complications, and what are the serious ones?
- Who performs the operation, and who else is in the room?
- How long is the hospital stay and the recovery, honestly?
About afterward
Follow up is where results are protected. Ask about it before, not after.
- What does follow up look like over the first year and beyond?
- What symptoms should make me call, and who do I call after hours?
- What is expected of me for this to work, and what happens if it does not?
Common questions
- Is it rude to ask about complications?
- No. It is one of the most important questions in the room, and a straight answer is part of informed consent.
- Should I get a second opinion?
- A second opinion is reasonable for any elective operation, and it is normal to ask for records to take with you.
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Next step
Bring the list. Every question gets an answer.
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