Surgery
Seeing a specialist
Source: NHS
In this topic (6)
Your first appointment will be witha consultant or another member of the surgical team.You canbring someone with you to this appointment.
At this stage, it's not guaranteed that surgery will be right for you. Only the consultant can make this decision, after carrying out tests, making a careful assessment and weighing up all the treatment options available to you.
You may want to ask your specialist the following questions:
- What are the different types of treatment for my condition?
- What are the benefits, side effects and risks of each of these treatments?
- Why are you recommending I have this operation?
- Are other types of non-surgical treatment possible for my condition?
If an operation is necessary, this will be your chance to find out what the operation involves, why it's needed, and whether it's suitable for you. Below are some questions you may want to ask:
- Who will perform the operation? What qualifications and experience do they have?
- What exactly does the operation involve, and how long will it take?
- What type of anaesthetic will I need?
- How long is the waiting list for this operation?
- How will I know if the operation is a success?
Don't be afraid to ask practical questions, such as:
- Will I need stitches and will there be scarring?
- How long before the operation will I need to stop eating and drinking?
- How long will I need to stay in hospital?
- How long will it take me to recover and get back to normal?
- Will I need time off work and, if so, for how long?
Make sureyou discuss any concernswith the consultant.
You may wish to ask if there'sany written information about the operation or procedureyou can take away with you.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) website has the answers to more questions about surgery .
At the end of the session, your consultant may book your operation or ask you to come back for a further appointment. Once booked, you should receive a letter with details of your operation, asking you to confirm you're happy with the proposed date and time.
Giving your consent
Before having a plannedoperation, yourconsentshould be obtained by the surgeon well in advance. This is to ensure you have plenty of time to examine any information about the procedure and ask questions.
If you change your mind at any point before the procedure, you're entitled to withdraw your previous consent.
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What happens next?
See preparing for surgery for information and advice on getting ready for your operation.
Articles for Surgery
Getting back to normal
Don't be surprised if you feel very tired when you get home, especially if you've had a major operation or a general anaesthetic.
Introduction
If you're considering having an operation or your GP has suggested you may need surgery, this guide is for you.
Preparing for surgery
In the days leading up to your surgery, you'll need to make travel arrangements for getting to and from the hospital, and think about what to pack.
Recovering after surgery
After surgery youll be moved to the recovery room, where youll be told how the operation went.
Seeing a specialist
Your first appointment will be with the consultant in charge of your treatment at your chosen hospital.
The day of the operation
Your admission letter from the hospital will tell you the date and time of your operation, and what time you need to turn up.
