General information to help you prepare for a conversation with your clinician.
You can nod through an appointment and still get home unsure what you agreed to. How much time off work? Who handles the follow-up? What if the surgeon finds something different? Write those questions down. They belong in the conversation before the operation.
One question to bring with you“What should I expect in the first few weeks, and who do I contact if things aren’t going as planned?”
The questions
- What exactly is the problem? Ask them to show you on the scan and explain it in plain words.
- What happens if I do nothing, or wait? Some conditions are stable. Others get harder to treat.
- What non-surgical options exist, and have I tried them properly? Therapy, injections, bracing, activity changes, and for how long.
- What are you recommending, and why this procedure? And what is the alternative technique, if there is one?
- What outcome can I realistically expect? Ask about pain relief, return to work, return to sport, and how long results typically last.
- What are the risks, and how likely are they for someone like me? Age, weight, diabetes, smoking and other health factors can change this.
- How often do you do this operation? Experience with a specific procedure matters.
- What does recovery look like week by week? Time off work, driving, physical therapy, and when you can use the joint normally.
- What will it cost me? Ask for the procedure codes and a written estimate, including the surgeon, facility, anesthesia and rehab.
- Are you comfortable with me getting a second opinion? The answer tells you a lot, and a good surgeon says yes.
A note on cost
If you pay out of pocket, you can ask for a good faith estimate before you commit. CMS explains the protections that apply: what a good faith estimate is. Bring the estimate to any other surgeon you see so the comparison is real.
What to bring
- Your imaging files and the written reports.
- A list of your medications and past surgeries.
- A short written timeline of your symptoms.
- Someone to listen with you, if you can. Two people remember more than one.
If the answers do not add up
It is okay to leave without deciding. If the plan still feels unclear, a second opinion on the same images is a normal next step. See how to get one.
Quick answers
How many questions should I ask in one visit?
Pick the three that matter most to you and write them down. You can follow up by phone or portal after the visit.
Should I get a second opinion before every surgery?
Not necessarily, but it is common before major elective procedures, especially when the recommendation surprises you.
What if my surgeon rushes me?
A planned operation is rarely an emergency. Ask for time, and ask what the actual deadline is.
Want a surgeon to look at your scan?
Second Look is a written opinion from an orthopedic surgeon on the X-ray, MRI or CT you already have. It is opening soon. Join the free waitlist and we will email you when it opens in your state.
Join the Second Look waitlist →What did we miss?
If there’s a question you wish this guide answered, suggest a topic. Keep it general; please don’t email scans or personal medical information.