Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before a Hysterectomy

Most people leave a surgical consultation remembering only part of what was said, and thinking of their most important question on the drive home. A hysterectomy is a big, permanent decision, and the appointment with your surgeon is the best chance to make sure it is the right operation, done the right way, by the right person, for you.

This guide gives you the questions to ask, grouped by topic, with a short note on why each one matters and what a helpful answer sounds like. It draws on patient guidance from the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the NHS, MedlinePlus and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), plus published research. You do not need to ask every question. Pick the ones that fit your situation, and bring the short list at the end to your appointment.

Key points

• Informed consent means your surgeon gives you clear, accurate information you can understand, and you make a free choice, which can include saying no or waiting.^[2]
• Ask exactly what will be removed: the uterus, the cervix, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries are separate decisions with different effects.^[4][10]
• Ask why a particular approach (vaginal, laparoscopic, robotic or open) is being recommended for you. ACOG prefers the vaginal route among minimally invasive options when it is feasible.^[5]
• It is reasonable to ask how many hysterectomies your surgeon does. Studies link very low surgeon volume with more complications.^[7][8]
• Before surgery, ask who will bill you (surgeon, hospital, anesthesia, pathology) and whether each is in your insurance network. Federal rules protect many patients from surprise out-of-network bills.^[17][18]
• Before you go home, make sure you know the warning signs and who to call, day or night.^[19]

Before the appointment: how to get the most from it

• Write your questions down and put the most important three at the top, in case time runs short.
• Bring someone with you if you can. A second person can take notes, remember details and ask the question you forget.
• Bring a list of every medicine and supplement you take, including weight-loss injections and blood thinners. These can change how you prepare for surgery and anesthesia.^[12][13]
• Ask for written information about the operation you are being offered, and whether a decision aid is available. In a large Cochrane review, people who used decision aids knew more about their options, felt better informed and were clearer about what mattered to them.^[3]
• Repeat back what you heard in your own words (“So you are saying…”) and ask the surgeon to correct anything you got wrong.

Questions about your diagnosis and whether you need surgery

The first questions on the American College of Surgeons’ list are simply “Why do I need this operation?” and “Are there other options?”^[1] For many conditions that lead to a hysterectomy, such as fibroids, heavy bleeding or adenomyosis, there are other treatments, and surgery is a choice rather than a necessity.

• What exactly is my diagnosis, and how sure are you? Ask which tests it is based on (scan, biopsy, blood tests) and whether anything still needs checking.
• What are my other options, and why do you think a hysterectomy is the best one for me? A helpful answer names the alternatives and explains why they were tried, ruled out or not suitable. Our guide to alternatives to hysterectomy can help you prepare.
• What happens if I wait, or decide not to have surgery? For some conditions waiting is safe; for others, such as cancer or severe anemia, it may not be.^[1]
• Will this operation solve my symptoms? A hysterectomy ends periods and pregnancy, but some types of pain or bleeding have other causes that it may not fix.
• Am I sure I do not want to become pregnant in the future? A hysterectomy is permanent. After it, you cannot carry a pregnancy.^[4][16]

Informed consent is more than signing a form. ACOG describes it as a process in which you get adequate, accurate and understandable information and make a voluntary choice, including the choice to refuse.^[2] If you feel rushed, it is fine to say you need time to think. You can read more about common reasons doctors recommend surgery in signs and reasons you might need a hysterectomy.

Questions about what will be removed

“Hysterectomy” only means removal of the uterus. Whether the cervix, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries are also removed are separate decisions, and they change your recovery, your hormones and your future screening. Ask your surgeon to go through each one with you.

Organ	Question to ask	Why it matters
Cervix	Will you remove my cervix, or leave it (a supracervical or “partial” hysterectomy)? Why?	If the cervix stays, you still need cervical screening and some people have light monthly spotting. See partial vs total hysterectomy.
Fallopian tubes	Will you remove both tubes?	ACOG now recommends routinely removing both tubes during a hysterectomy to lower the future risk of the most common type of ovarian cancer.[10]
Ovaries	Do you recommend keeping or removing my ovaries? What would each choice mean for me?	Removing both ovaries before menopause causes immediate menopause. The decision depends on your age, medical and family history and your own preferences.[4]

The NHS advises that if you want to keep your ovaries, you should tell your surgeon before the operation. You may still be asked to consent to their removal if something abnormal is found during surgery, so ask what would happen in that case.^[4] We explain the pros and cons in detail in keep or remove your ovaries, fallopian tube removal and life with your cervix after a supracervical hysterectomy.

• If my ovaries are removed, will I need hormone therapy, and for how long?
• If my ovaries are kept, could I still go through menopause earlier than I would have? The NHS notes this can happen even when the ovaries are kept.^[9]
• Is there anything about my family history (for example ovarian or breast cancer, or a known gene change) that changes your advice?

Questions about how the operation will be done

A hysterectomy can be done through the vagina, by keyhole surgery (laparoscopic, with or without a robot) or through a cut in the abdomen (open or abdominal). ACOG says the vaginal approach is preferred among the minimally invasive options when it is possible, laparoscopy is the next choice, and open surgery remains important for some patients. The right route depends on the size and shape of your uterus and vagina, scarring or disease outside the uterus, your surgeon’s experience and your own preferences.^[5] In a Cochrane review of 47 trials, women who had a vaginal hysterectomy returned to normal activities about 9 to 10 days sooner on average than those who had open surgery.^[6]

• Which approach do you recommend for me, and why? Ask what makes you a good or poor candidate for the vaginal or laparoscopic route.
• Do you offer all the approaches, or would another surgeon be better placed to offer a less invasive one? Some surgeons mainly perform one type.
• What is the chance you will need to switch to open surgery during the operation, and why might that happen?
• Where will the cuts be, and how big?
• If you suggest robotic surgery, what does the robot add in my case? Ask how it compares with standard laparoscopy for you, including cost.
• How will the uterus be taken out? If it is too large to come out whole, it may be cut into pieces (morcellation). The FDA recommends that power morcellation be used only in carefully selected patients and only inside a containment bag, because of the risk of spreading an unsuspected cancer.^[11]

Questions about your surgeon’s experience and the hospital

Asking about experience can feel awkward, but surgeons expect it, and the American College of Surgeons includes it in its own list of questions for patients.^[1] There is a reason it matters. A review of 14 studies with more than 740,000 patients found that gynecologic surgeons who did a procedure once a month or less had somewhat more complications than higher-volume surgeons.^[7] In a New York State study of over 434,000 hysterectomies, surgeons who did about one a year had a complication rate of 32%, compared with about 10% for other surgeons, although they treated only 1% of the patients.^[8]

• How many hysterectomies do you do in a year, and how many using the approach you recommend for me?
• What complications have your patients had, and how often?
• Are you board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (or gynecologic oncology, if cancer is a concern)?^[1]
• Who else will be operating? In teaching hospitals, residents or fellows often take part under supervision. Ask what their role will be.
• Which hospital or surgery center will I go to, and is it accredited?^[1]

Questions about risks

Every operation has risks. The general ones after a hysterectomy include bleeding, infection, blood clots, damage to the bladder or bowel and problems related to the anesthetic.^[9] What matters is how likely each one is for you.

• What are the most common and the most serious risks of this operation for someone like me?
• Do my weight, age, previous surgery or other health problems change those risks?^[1]
• What can I do before surgery to lower my risk (for example stopping smoking, treating anemia or getting diabetes under control)?
• What will you do if you find something unexpected during the operation?

Questions for the anesthesia team

You may meet the anesthesia team only shortly before surgery, so it helps to have your questions ready. MedlinePlus suggests asking about the type of anesthesia, how your health problems and medicines affect it, and how nausea and pain will be handled afterward.^[12]

• Will I have general anesthesia, a spinal, or both? What are the pros and cons for me?
• Which of my medicines should I stop, and when? Mention blood thinners, diabetes medicines and weight-loss injections such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. Anesthesia societies published specific guidance on GLP-1 medicines in 2024.^[13]
• I have had bad nausea after anesthesia before. What can you do to prevent it?
• When must I stop eating and drinking before surgery?

Questions about preparing for surgery and the hospital stay

• Which tests do I need beforehand, and when?^[1]
• Does this hospital use an enhanced recovery program? ACOG supports these pathways, which include shorter fasting, early eating and walking, and pain control that relies less on opioids.^[14]
• Will I go home the same day or stay overnight? How long do your patients usually stay?
• Will I have a urinary catheter or drain, and for how long?^[1]
• What is the plan for pain relief, in hospital and at home? Ask which medicines you will take, how long you are likely to need them and what to do if the pain is not controlled.
• Who should take me home, and do I need someone with me the first night?^[16]

For practical preparation, see how to prepare for your hysterectomy and what to pack for the hospital.

Questions about recovery and life afterward

Recovery times vary with the type of operation. The NHS says full recovery after an abdominal hysterectomy usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks, and is often quicker after a vaginal or laparoscopic one.^[15] Ask your surgeon what they expect for you, because your own advice may differ from general guides.

• How much time off work should I plan for, given my type of job? See going back to work after a hysterectomy.
• When can I drive, lift, exercise, take a bath and have sex again?^[19] Our guide when can I drive, fly or take a bath covers the usual timelines.
• When is my follow-up appointment, and who will I see?
• When and how will I get the pathology results (the lab report on the tissue that was removed)?
• Will I still need cervical screening (Pap tests) afterward? The answer depends on whether your cervix is removed and why you had surgery.
• Which symptoms mean I should call you, and which mean I should go to the emergency room? MedlinePlus lists fever above 100.5°F (38°C), vaginal bleeding heavier than light spotting, a bad-smelling or heavy watery discharge, pain that your medicine does not help, swelling or redness in a leg, and trouble breathing among the reasons to call.^[19]
• Who do I call after hours or at the weekend?

MedlinePlus also suggests asking what to expect emotionally and physically, since many women notice changes in their body and in how they feel about themselves after a hysterectomy.^[16]

Questions about cost and insurance

Several people bill you for one operation: usually the surgeon, the hospital or surgery center, the anesthesia team and the pathology lab, and sometimes an assistant surgeon. The American College of Surgeons suggests checking that all of them are covered by your insurance.^[1]

• Are you, the hospital, the anesthesia group and the pathology lab all in my insurance network?
• Does my plan need prior authorization, and will your office request it?
• What will I likely pay out of pocket, including my deductible and coinsurance?
• If I am uninsured or paying myself, can I have a good faith estimate? Providers usually must give one to uninsured and self-pay patients when they schedule care, and you may be able to dispute a bill that is at least $400 higher than the estimate.^[17]

If you have most types of private insurance, the federal No Surprises Act protects you from surprise out-of-network bills for certain services at in-network hospitals and surgery centers. Anesthesiologists, pathologists and assistant surgeons cannot ask you to give up these protections, even if you are handed a form to sign.^[18] For more on paying for surgery, see how much a hysterectomy costs.

Getting a second opinion

Unless surgery is urgent, a second opinion is a normal and reasonable step, especially if you were offered only one option, if you were told you need open surgery when you hoped for a less invasive one, or if the decision about your ovaries is not clear. The American College of Surgeons notes that you can ask whether a second opinion is recommended and whether your insurance covers it.^[1] Ask your surgeon’s office to send your scans, test results and notes to the second doctor so you do not have to repeat tests.

The short list: 12 questions to bring

If you only have time for a few, these cover the essentials.

1. Why do you recommend a hysterectomy for me, and what are my other options?
2. What happens if I wait or decide not to have surgery?
3. Will you remove my cervix, my fallopian tubes and my ovaries? Why?
4. Which approach do you recommend (vaginal, laparoscopic, robotic or open), and why for me?
5. How many of these operations do you do each year?
6. What are the main risks for someone with my health history?
7. How will the uterus be removed, and will a containment bag be used if it needs to be cut into pieces?
8. Which of my medicines should I stop before surgery, and when?
9. Will I go home the same day, and what is the plan for pain relief?
10. How long will recovery take, and when can I go back to work, drive and have sex?
11. Which symptoms should make me call you, and who do I call after hours?
12. Is everyone involved in my surgery in my insurance network?

Frequently asked questions

Will my surgeon be offended if I ask about experience or a second opinion?

Most surgeons expect these questions. Experience and second opinions are both on the American College of Surgeons’ own list of questions for patients.^[1] A surgeon who answers them openly is giving you a good sign.

Can I record the appointment?

Ask first. Many clinicians are happy for you to record the conversation or to bring someone to take notes, but policies and state laws differ, so always ask for permission before recording.

What if I think of more questions after the appointment?

Call or message the surgeon’s office, or ask for another appointment before you sign the consent form. The American College of Surgeons suggests asking at the first visit how best to reach the surgeon with questions.^[1] You are allowed to change your mind at any point before surgery.^[2]

Sources

1. American College of Surgeons. Questions to ask before having an operation. facs.org
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Informed consent and shared decision making in obstetrics and gynecology. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 819. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2021;137(2):e34–e41. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. Stacey D, Lewis KB, Smith M, et al. Decision aids for people facing health treatment or screening decisions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2024;(1):CD001431. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4. NHS. Hysterectomy: things to consider. nhs.uk
5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No. 701: Choosing the route of hysterectomy for benign disease. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2017;129(6):e155–e159. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6. Aarts JW, Nieboer TE, Johnson N, et al. Surgical approach to hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(8):CD003677. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
7. Mowat A, Maher C, Ballard E. Surgical outcomes for low-volume vs high-volume surgeons in gynecology surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;215(1):21–33. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
8. Ruiz MP, Chen L, Hou JY, et al. Outcomes of hysterectomy performed by very low-volume surgeons. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018;131(6):981–990. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
9. NHS. Hysterectomy: risks. nhs.uk
10. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Clinical Practice Update: Salpingectomy for the prevention of epithelial ovarian cancer. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2026. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Power morcellation during gynecologic laparoscopic surgeries. fda.gov
12. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Anesthesia – what to ask your doctor – adult. medlineplus.gov
13. American Society of Anesthesiologists. New multi-society clinical practice guidance released (perioperative use of GLP-1 receptor agonists). News release, October 2024. asahq.org
14. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No. 750: Perioperative pathways: enhanced recovery after surgery. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018;132(3):e120–e130. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
15. NHS. Hysterectomy: recovery. nhs.uk
16. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Hysterectomy. medlineplus.gov
17. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medical bill rights: good faith estimate. cms.gov
18. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. No Surprises Act: overview of key consumer protections. cms.gov
19. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Hysterectomy – laparoscopic – discharge. medlineplus.gov

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Use these questions to start a conversation with your own gynecologist or surgeon, who knows your health history and can tell you which options are right for you.