Questions to Ask Your Surgeon That No One Thinks About
You did your research. You looked at before-and-afters, read the reviews, and picked your surgeon. You know what you want your body to look like. But do you know who's taking out your drains? Or who you call at 2 a.m. when something feels wrong?
Oye, amiga, these are the questions I wish every woman asked before surgery.
Questions to ask your surgeon: the quick answer
Most people ask about results. The questions that make the biggest difference in your recovery are about complications, incisions and drains, aftercare, and who you'll call when you're home. Write them down, bring them to your consultation, and ask for the answers in writing.
Pregunta todo: ask everything. Sin pena: no shame. You're the one living in this body afterward.
About the surgery and the surgeon
"How many surgeries do you do in a day?" Fatigue is real. My father was an eye surgeon, and he took that seriously. A surgeon doing several big cases in one day is a red flag. (Florida even passed rules limiting how many BBLs a surgeon can do per day.)
"Will you do the whole procedure yourself, or will someone else do part of it?"
"Who's giving my anesthesia?"
"What are the most common complications you see with this procedure? And the rare, serious ones?"
"What's your plan if one of those happens to me?"
What I tell my clients: pay attention to how they answer, not just what they say. Watch their tone and body language. Do they lean in and take their time, or do they sigh, check the clock, and start rushing you?
I'll be honest: even as a post-op massage therapist, I get a little worn out by a tremendous amount of questions, especially when it's the same question asked over and over, just worded slightly differently. We're human. But a good provider who truly wants to work with you will keep their composure and do their best to answer your questions in full.
So yes, you might irritate your surgeon a little, and that's okay. If they can't stay patient with your questions before surgery, how will they handle your concerns after? Their reaction can show you they're just not the right fit for you.
To make it easier on both of you, write your questions down ahead of time and check them off as you go.
You should never feel rushed, dismissed, or told "don't worry about that." A good surgeon doesn't ask for blind faith.
About your incisions and drains
"Will I have open drainage sites, bulb drains, stitches, or staples?" This decides what you need to buy.
"Are my stitches dissolvable?"
"Who removes my drains and stitches, and when?" Especially if you're traveling for surgery.
"Can I have my wound care instructions before surgery?" It's so much easier to read them now than when you're groggy.
About your recovery
"Is a faja included? Which stage, and when do I switch?"
"Do you recommend foam and boards?"
"When can I start lymphatic drainage?" If they say wait, ask why.
"When can I shower, drive, fly, and go back to work?"
"Which medications and supplements should I stop before surgery?"
About after-hours and going home
This is the part almost nobody asks about.
"Who do I call at 2 a.m. if something feels wrong?" Many offices go dark after 5 p.m.
"Will you review photos by text or email?"
"If I have a problem after I fly home, who handles it?"
"What does a revision cost, if I need one?"
¡Aguas! Watch out: if a clinic can't tell you who to call after hours, that's a big red flag.
Here's your chisme for today: ask the surgical coordinator these logistics questions too. They're usually the one who knows the nitty-gritty details, like who removes your drains and what the after-hours number is.
When to walk away
Ojo, watch out: if a clinic dodges your questions, rushes you, or makes you feel like an inconvenience for asking, don't ignore that. Find a team where your safety actually comes first.
Want the full game plan?
My book has a whole chapter on choosing your surgeon, from the consultation to the questions that protect you.
If you're in Sacramento and planning surgery, I'd love to help you get ready, before and after.
Not local? Reach out to me for a private consult over Zoom (small fee).
I'm a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC No. 39170), not a doctor. This post is for education, not medical advice. Always discuss your surgery and recovery plan with your surgeon.
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