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The questions to ask, at the stage you are at

Most people leave a consultation realising too late what they should have asked. These are 490 questions pulled from every guide in the library and sorted by when you need them. Print the stage you are at, or open it on your phone in the waiting room.

Every one of these is a fair question that a hospital can answer. If a question is brushed aside, treated as rude, or answered with “trust us” — that is information too.

25 operations covered

Admission and the day itself

Who will actually operate, what anaesthesia you are getting, and what your family should be told while you are in theatre.

Decision guide

How to get a second opinion that is actually independent

  • Based on these reports, what do you think is the problem and what would you advise?
  • What are all my options, including doing nothing for now with a review date?
  • If I wait three months, what specifically changes?
  • Out of a hundred people like me, how many are clearly better after this operation, how many unchanged, and how many worse?
  • If this does not work, what are my options afterwards?
  • May I have your opinion in writing?
  • If this were your own parent, what would you do, and why?
Read the full guide

Works for every operation

If your surgery is not in the library yet

These apply to any procedure, anywhere. They are the five things that decide whether an operation was necessary, safe, honestly priced and properly consented.

1

Whether you need this operation at all

  • What happens if I do nothing for three months? Name the specific risk.
  • Is this an emergency, is it urgent, or is it planned? Say which one.
  • What non-surgical treatment exists, and why is it not right for me?
  • Which test result or examination finding makes surgery necessary?
  • How many people with my exact findings get better without surgery?
2

Who operates, and with what experience

  • Who performs the operation, and will that person be present for all of it?
  • What is their qualification in this specific procedure?
  • Will any part be done by a trainee, and who supervises?
  • Who gives the anaesthetic, and are they a qualified anaesthetist?
  • How many of these do you do in a year?
3

Money, in writing, before you sign

  • Give me a written estimate that includes implants, ICU and consumables.
  • What is not covered by that estimate?
  • What happens to the price if I stay longer than planned?
  • Which implant or device are you using, and what does it cost?
  • If my insurance rejects part of this, what do I owe?
4

Consent that is actually informed

  • What are the three most common complications, and how often do they happen here?
  • What is the worst realistic outcome?
  • Can I take the consent form home and read it before signing?
  • Can I have a copy of everything I sign?
  • Am I allowed a second opinion first? (You always are.)
5

Recovery, said out loud before you agree

  • How many days off work, honestly?
  • What will I not be able to do, and for how long?
  • What follow-up is included, and what is charged separately?
  • Which symptoms after discharge mean I should come back immediately?
  • Who do I call at 2am if something goes wrong?

Long-form checklists

Written checklists with the reasoning included

These explain why each question matters, which helps if you are the family member doing the asking.

Surgery checklist

Hernia surgery: questions to ask before admission

A simple patient-family checklist for consent, anesthesia, billing clarity, infection prevention, and discharge.

4 min read
Two things this page cannot do. It cannot tell you whether you need surgery — only an examination and your reports can. And it is not a reason to delay: some conditions get dangerous quickly, and each guide says so at the top. If your symptoms are severe or sudden, stop reading and call 112 or 108.