When an elective surgery has been suggested, it should become a standard practice to seek a second or third opinion if necessary. It is not because your primary doctor would knowingly suggest an unnecessary surgery. Many surgeons themselves admit the line between advising a surgery or not, as not as black and white as one would assume. Research after research has proven the efficacy of taking second opinion in reducing unwanted surgeries. The other benefit to taking second opinion is that it can help eliminate any anxiety or doubt about a surgery, as well as help make you better aware about post-surgery considerations.

Let’s just admit that physicians too have their own very different personalities. Some like to communicate about all aspects of a particular treatment with their patient, while some only reveal what they feel is important. If you feel that the suggested treatment approach hasn’t been fully explained, it is much better to take few more opinions from other doctors you can consult with. Acceptance of the suggested treatment plan is as important as the treatment itself because it leads to better adherence and realistic expectations settings on its benefits and side-effects.

Mostly in case of patients who have a chronic nature of disease, your physician may suggest a new or novel approach for treatment. Today, there is ample information available on the internet to explore any new treatment or medicine, but at the end of day, you still need a physician’s say on whether the suggested treatment is advisable or not. In such cases, you may benefit by taking opinion from few other doctors to increase your awareness of the pros and cons as per your particular condition.