Who it is for
A second opinion can help if:
- you have been advised to have an operation for gallstones, a hernia, reflux, piles, a fissure or fistula, a pilonidal sinus, a skin lump or obesity, and want to understand the options before deciding;
- you have been offered more than one type of operation, such as open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery, and want to discuss which suits your condition;
- a problem has come back after an earlier operation, for example a recurrent hernia;
- you are unsure whether an operation is needed now or can be planned for later.
Surgery is discussed only when it is clinically indicated. You can continue your treatment with your own surgeon afterwards; the decision stays with you.
What happens at the visit
- Your history: your symptoms, how long you have had them, your medicines and any previous operations.
- An examination.
- Going through your reports and scan images with you.
- A discussion of whether an operation is needed, how urgent it is, which approaches are suitable, their risks and recovery, and any options that do not involve surgery.
- If a test is missing or needs repeating, this is explained, so you know what the next step is.
Bring these reports
For every condition: notes from previous operations and discharge summaries, and a complete list of your medicines, including blood thinners (anticoagulants). Bring scan images as well as the written report where you have them.
- Gallbladder stones: ultrasound report and images; liver blood tests (LFT); any MRCP or CT report.
- Hernias: any ultrasound, CT or MRI images and report; for a hernia after surgery or a recurrent hernia, the CT images, not only the written report; previous operation notes and mesh records.
- Acid reflux and hiatus hernia: endoscopy report and photographs; contrast swallow, reflux study and manometry reports.
- Piles and rectal prolapse: previous colonoscopy reports; for prolapse, any defaecography or pelvic-floor reports.
- Anal fistula: MRI images and report, if already done; notes from abscess drainage or previous fistula surgery.
- Metabolic and bariatric surgery: recent blood tests; previous weight-treatment records; sleep-study or endoscopy reports if relevant.
- Lumps and swellings: any ultrasound or scan reports; notes from earlier drainage or removal.
Under the national Charter of Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities, the hospital that treated you should give you copies of your case papers and investigation reports.
What a second opinion is not
- Not given on WhatsApp or by phone. Scans and reports can miss what an examination finds. That is why opinions are given in clinic, not on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is for booking appointments.
- Not emergency care. For severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, high fever after recent surgery, bleeding or feeling suddenly very unwell, please go to the nearest emergency department (casualty).
- Not a commitment to surgery here. The opinion may confirm the advice you have already been given or suggest a different option.