Maria was told she needed a procedure on an artery in one of her legs. She left the appointment with a date for surgery but had no clear picture of what ‘success’ would look like for her. A week later, she went back to her surgeon with a list of questions to ask before vascular surgery and finally felt ready to decide.

Many patients and surgeons have different ideas of what a ‘successful’ surgery means. Knowing how you’re likely to feel after the procedure (and what could go wrong) helps you decide if surgery is right for you.

If you want a plain‑language overview of what vascular surgeons do and the main procedures they perform, start with Vascular Surgery in Plain Language: What Patients and Caregivers Need to Know Before a Procedure.

27 Questions to Ask Before Vascular Surgery
Sorted by 5 Key Topics

You don’t need to ask all 27 questions at once. Pick 5–7 questions that matter most to you, write them down, and bring them to your appointment.

Procedure and Alternatives

Yes, you may have other options to surgery even if your surgeon recommends it. You need to discuss with your surgeon what option is best for you, your lifestyle, and where you are in your life. Some questions to ask about surgery and alternatives are below.

Understanding the Procedure and Its Benefits

• What will this surgery actually do?
• What are the benefits of this surgery? For example, will it get rid of my peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or aneurysm?
• Will this surgery help me live longer? And if so, can you give me some idea of how much longer?

Alternatives to Surgery

• Are there non-surgical alternatives to this surgery such as lifestyle changes or medication?
• Are there less invasive procedures that can be an alternative for me? If yes, what is the difference between this surgery and the less invasive procedure?

Your Surgeon’s Experience and What to Expect Before Surgery

• How many times have you performed this surgery?
• What should I expect before this surgery?

Risks, Complications, and Decision-Making

It may be helpful to decide on surgery by comparing the risks to the benefits. Comparing risks and benefits helps you make a safe, smart choice about surgery. It shows if the good results are worth the possible harm. This process gives you peace of mind and puts you in control of your health.

These questions help you understand not just what can go wrong, but how surgery could affect your ability to work, to drive, exercise, care for your family, and manage other health conditions.

Questions About Risks

• What will happen to me if I delay this surgery?
• What will happen to me if I don’t have this surgery?

Questions About Complications

• Can you describe possible problems (like heart attack or stroke) and explain what those might mean for me?
• When should my caregiver or I call the office if I experience a complication?
• When should I go directly to the Emergency Department?

Questions About Decision-Making

• How can I make sure you and your team know my wishes if I get too sick to make my own decisions?
• If I choose someone to make medical decisions for me, how do I make that official so you know to follow their guidance?

Recovery and Daily Life After Surgery

Asking about recovery helps you picture life after surgery. It covers your healing timeline, day-to-day expectations, and how the procedure may affect conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Questions About Recovery

• After I leave the hospital, what type of care do you think I will need?
• Will I have any tubes or drains put in during or after surgery? Will I need them at home?
• When can I start driving after my surgery?
• When can I go back to work?

Questions About Daily Life

• How do you think my daily life will look right after surgery, three months later, six months later, and one year later?
• In your opinion, how will this surgery affect my other health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure?

Cost and Insurance

Asking your surgeon about costs and insurance coverage before a vascular procedure helps you avoid unexpected medical bills, confirm that your insurance approves the treatment, and plan for out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles or co-pays.

• Do you take my insurance?
• Is everything covered by my insurance, such as tests before surgery, the surgery itself, anesthesia, the hospital stay, medications, and office visits after surgery.
• Are there any expenses I will have to pay myself?

Digital Tools That Can Help

When online resources are easy to use and based on solid medical evidence, they can help you learn about your condition, keep track of your follow-ups, and stick with your care plan. The best tools are the ones that make things clearer for you.   

Questions About Online Resources

• Are there educational videos or materials you recommend for my specific diagnosis and procedure?
• Do you recommend any apps or digital tools to help me monitor my wound, blood pressure, or recovery at home?

Questions About A Patient Portal

• Should I set up a patient portal before my surgery, and how can I use it to communicate with your team and view my results?
• If I send messages or photos through the portal or app, how quickly will someone respond?

Bring these questions to your next appointment. If you feel rushed, ask for a follow-up visit or a nurse to call you to go over what you still don’t understand. Your surgery is too important to decide without clear answers.

Want a printable version of these questions? Download this checklist you can bring to your appointment.

I write more about how patients and healthcare providers can work together in my article When Evidence Meets Empathy.

FAQs

What are the most important questions to ask before vascular surgery?

Focus on five areas: what the procedure will do and its benefits, alternatives to surgery, risks and possible complications, recovery and daily life after surgery, and costs and insurance. Within those areas, ask about your surgeon’s experience, what to expect before and after the procedure, and how to handle problems at home.

How many questions should I bring to my vascular surgery appointment?

You don’t need to ask all 27 questions at once. Pick 5–7 that matter most to you, write them down, and bring the list to your appointment. If time runs out, ask for a follow‑up visit or a call with a nurse to go over the rest.

What should I ask about alternatives to vascular surgery?

Ask whether there are non‑surgical options (such as lifestyle changes or medication) or less invasive procedures. If there are, ask how they compare to the recommended surgery in terms of benefits, risks, recovery time, and long‑term outcomes.

What questions should I ask about risks and complications?

Ask what could happen if you delay or don’t have the surgery, what serious complications (like heart attack or stroke) might mean for you, when to call the office versus go to the Emergency Department, and how to make sure your care team knows your wishes if you become too sick to speak for yourself.

What should I ask about recovery and life after vascular surgery?

Ask what your daily life will look like right after surgery and at three months, six months, and one year; whether you’ll have tubes or drains; when you can drive and return to work; and how the surgery may affect other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

How can digital tools help me prepare for and recover from vascular surgery?

Ask your surgeon which educational videos or materials they recommend, whether you should set up a patient portal before surgery, and if they suggest any apps or devices to monitor your wound, blood pressure, or recovery at home. Also ask how quickly someone responds if you send messages or photos through the portal or app.

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