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Questions to ask before surgery

By the Visit Digest team · Updated November 3, 2026

The short answer: ask why you need the surgery and what other options exist, what the risks are, what kind of anesthesia you will have, which medicines to stop or keep taking, how pain will be managed, and what recovery at home will look like. Also ask what your insurance covers. Write the questions down and bring someone with you.

Before an operation you will hear a lot in a short time. You do not need to ask everything at once, so pick the questions that matter most to you. The ones below come from MedlinePlus lists written for spinal surgery and knee replacement. Many apply to other operations too, but ask your own surgeon which ones fit yours.1,3

Is this surgery right for me?

  • What is causing my symptoms?1
  • Why is this type of surgery recommended, and are there other methods?1
  • How will it help my condition, and what non-surgical options are there?1
  • Is waiting risky? Will my condition get worse without surgery?1
  • What are the risks and possible complications, including infection, and what can I do beforehand to lower them?1

If an answer isn't clear, it is reasonable to say so and ask your surgeon to explain again in plainer words. If a term stops you, our guide on understanding medical terms your doctor uses can help.

Cost and where to have it

  • Will my insurance cover it, and how can I check?1
  • Will insurance cover all of the costs or only some of them?1
  • Does the choice of hospital matter, and can I choose?1

Getting ready

  • Medicines. Bring a list of everything you take, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and natural remedies, with doses and how often you take them.2 About two weeks before surgery you may need to stop medicines that raise bleeding risk, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and blood thinners. Ask which to stop, which to keep taking, and which to take on the day of surgery. Don't stop a prescribed medicine on your own.2
  • Your health. Tell your surgeon about allergies, past problems with surgery or anesthesia, bleeding or clotting problems, recent dental work and tobacco use. Ask whether conditions such as diabetes or heart disease need to be under control first, since that lowers the risk of problems afterward.2
  • Habits. Ask whether you should exercise, lose weight, or get help to quit smoking, alcohol or drugs before the operation.1 Smoking slows healing after surgery.2
  • The night before and the morning of. Ask when you must stop eating and drinking, whether you need a special soap for bathing, and what to bring to the hospital.1

The operation and anesthesia

  • What steps are involved, and how long will the surgery take?1,3
  • What type of anesthesia will I have, and can I choose between options?1,3
  • Will I need a urinary catheter, and for how long?1,3
  • Will I need a blood transfusion, and can I save my own blood?1

Pain, the hospital stay and recovery

  • What will be done to control my pain during and after surgery?3
  • How soon will I need to get up and move around, and how long will I stay?3
  • Will I go home afterward, or to a rehabilitation facility?3
  • How much help will I need at home, and what supplies will I need? Do I need to rearrange my home, for example because of stairs to the bedroom or bathroom?3
  • How do I care for the wound at home, and what activity limits apply?1
  • When can I go back to work and routine activities, and when can I restart my medicines?1
  • Will I need physical therapy, and where can I get it?1

Ask a family member or friend to come along and take notes. Our guide on taking notes at a doctor's appointment has a simple method. Afterward, go through the steps to take after an appointment while it is fresh.

Common questions

Should I stop taking my medicines before surgery?

Only if your surgeon tells you to. Some medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and blood thinners, raise the risk of bleeding and may need to be stopped about two weeks before surgery. Ask your surgeon which medicines to stop and which to take on the day.2

Who should I tell about my health before surgery?

Tell your surgeon about your allergies, past problems with surgery or anesthesia, bleeding or clotting problems, recent dental work, tobacco use, and every medicine and supplement you take.2

What if I get sick just before my surgery?

Contact your surgeon right away if you get a cold, flu, fever, COVID-19 or another illness in the few days before surgery. The surgery may need to be rescheduled.2

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Questions to ask your surgeon about spinal surgery. Reviewed November 16, 2025.
  2. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Getting yourself healthy before surgery. Reviewed July 6, 2026.
  3. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Questions to ask your doctor before knee replacement. Reviewed June 4, 2025.

This guide is general information and isn't medical or legal advice. Always follow the advice of your own doctor or care team. If you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911.