At a glance
A surgical consultation is your opportunity to understand your condition, discuss treatment options, and make informed decisions. Being prepared helps you use the appointment time well and leave with the information you need.
This checklist covers what to bring, what to prepare, and how to make the most of your consultation.
What to bring
Documents and records
- Referral letter — if you have a copy
- Previous test results — blood tests, imaging reports, endoscopy results
- Imaging CDs or files — if your MRI or other scans were done at a different facility
- A medication list — every medication you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements
- Allergy information — particularly any reactions to anaesthesia or medications
Your symptom summary
Write a brief summary of your situation:
- When symptoms started
- What your symptoms are (pain, bleeding, discharge, etc.)
- What makes them better or worse
- What treatments you have already tried and the results
- How the condition affects your daily life
Keeping this to one page makes it easy for the surgeon to review quickly.
Your questions
Prepare a written list. People consistently describe forgetting questions in the moment due to anxiety. Common questions worth asking:
About the diagnosis:
- What exactly is my condition?
- How severe is it?
- What would happen if I did nothing?
About treatment options:
- What treatment do you recommend and why?
- What are the alternatives?
- What are the success rates?
- What are the risks?
About the procedure:
- What does the procedure involve?
- What type of anaesthesia is used?
- How long does it take?
- Is it day surgery or will I stay overnight?
About recovery:
- How long is the recovery?
- When can I return to work?
- What wound care will be needed?
- What are the restrictions during recovery?
- What follow-up is planned?
About risks:
- What are the specific risks of this procedure?
- What is the risk to continence?
- What is the recurrence rate?
- What happens if the procedure does not work?
Something to write on
A notebook or phone for notes. Even better — ask if you can record the consultation (many surgeons agree to this).
A support person
If someone can accompany you, their role is:
- To listen alongside you
- To take notes while you focus on the conversation
- To ask questions you might forget
- To help you process the information afterwards
How to prepare
Before the appointment
- Fill out any forms sent to you in advance
- Arrive early to handle paperwork without rushing
- If you have imaging on CD, bring it even if you think the hospital has access — systems do not always communicate smoothly
During the appointment
- Hand over your symptom summary at the start — it saves time and ensures nothing is missed
- Ask your most important questions first — time can run short
- If something is unclear, ask for it to be explained differently
- It is okay to say “I need to think about this”
- Ask about next steps before you leave — what happens now?
After the appointment
- Review your notes while the conversation is fresh
- Write down anything you remember that was not captured in notes
- If new questions arise, contact the surgeon’s secretary — most are happy to answer follow-up questions
- If you are unsure about the recommended plan, a second opinion is always an option
If you feel rushed
Surgical consultations can feel brief. If you did not get through your questions:
- Ask if there is a way to follow up with remaining questions
- Request written information about the proposed treatment
- Ask to schedule a follow-up appointment before making a decision
- Remember that you do not have to decide anything in the room
The goal
A good surgical consultation leaves you understanding your condition, your options, and the recommended plan — and feeling that your questions have been heard. Being prepared is the single best way to achieve this.