Questions to Ask Your Doctor

The best way to understand your medical options is to ask a professional. The questions below can help.

Questions to ask your physician:

• What are my alternatives?
• Could surgery be the answer for me? Why?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of treatments for my particular sutuation?
• If surgery is for me, what are the next steps?
• Can you recommend a surgeon who performs the videoscopic or laparoscopic procedure?

If videoscopic or laparoscopic surgery is right for you, your doctor may refer you to a surgeon who can better address your concerns. These additional questions may help.

Questions to ask your surgeon:

• Are you board-certified?
• How many times have you performed this procedure?
• What have the outcomes been?
• What are the complications and/or side effects?
• What should I do to prepare for the surgery?
• What can I expect following surgery?
• Can you give me the name of one of your patients who has had the procedure so I can talk to him/her?