Essential Questions to Ask Your Doctor: Pre & Post Procedure

Before a medical procedure or surgery:

- What is the procedure or surgery, and what does it involve?

- What are the purpose of the procedure or surgery?

- What are the risks of the procedure or surgery?

- What are the possible complications of the procedure or surgery?

- What are the side effects of the procedure or surgery?

- What are the alternatives to the procedure or surgery?

After a medical procedure or surgery:

- What went well?

- What are my results?

- What should you expect in terms of recovery time and discomfort?

- Are there instructions to follow during recovery time?

- What are the potential complications to look for?

- When can I return to normal activities?

- When do I need to follow up with you or my primary care doctor?