Health Advisor > Health Consumer Guides > Deciding About Surgery

Deciding about surgery

When your doctor recommends surgery, you should take an active role in deciding whether to go through with it. Your values and beliefs often are a key part of choosing surgery versus exploring other types of treatment as a road to better health. Surgery can be risky and difficult, but sometimes it’s clearly the only way to go. Other times, alternatives to surgery are the wisest choice.

Deciding which option is best

Learning to ask the right questions – and getting the right answers – is vital to helping you decide whether or not surgery is right for you. Being a responsible health care consumer starts with getting involved in decisions about your health. That way, you’re more likely to feel calm and confident about whatever course of treatment you choose.

So how do you decide about surgery? The first step is to find out whether the surgery your doctor is recommending is nonelective or elective.

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Nonelective surgery

Elective surgery

Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the Questions to Ask Before Surgery worksheet (PDF). Write down or record the answers. If you feel anxious or nervous, take a friend or relative along for moral support. Then assess the information and decide what you want to do. Make sure it’s your own decision. Don’t let yourself be pressured into having surgery you don’t need or want.

Getting a second opinion

Getting more information can help when you’re deciding about surgery. One way to do this is to get a second opinion (also called a “review of treatment”). Some health plans require second opinions before they will cover certain procedures. But a second opinion can also help you make a more informed decision.

Although a second opinion isn’t needed in every instance, you would be wise to seek one if:

• the procedure is experimental or high risk, such as an organ transplant
• your symptoms aren’t severe and the outcome of surgery isn’t clear
• the procedure has a reputation for being performed when not absolutely needed

View Questions to Ask Before Surgery worksheet (PDF)