Posted By: Dr. Usha M Kumar on 14 Aug 2026
Being told you need gynaecological surgery — whether for fibroids, an ovarian cyst, endometriosis, or a hysterectomy — can bring on a flood of emotions before a single question even forms in your mind. But the quality of your surgical outcome often starts well before the operating room, in the consultation itself. The best gynaecologist in Delhi for your case won’t just recommend surgery — she’ll welcome your questions, answer them clearly, and make sure you leave the consultation with genuine understanding, not just a date on the calendar.
Here are the 10 questions worth asking before you consent to any gynaecological surgery.
1. What exactly is my diagnosis, and why does it require surgery?
Start here. A good gynaecologist should be able to explain, in plain language, what condition you have, where it is, and why surgery — rather than monitoring or medication — is the recommended path for your specific case. If the explanation feels rushed or overly technical without a clear “why,” ask again until it makes sense.
Follow-up worth asking: “What would happen if I chose not to have surgery right now?”
2. What are my surgical options — and why is this particular approach recommended for me?
For many gynaecological conditions, there’s more than one surgical route: open surgery, laparoscopic (keyhole), or robotic surgery. Each comes with different trade-offs in recovery time, scarring, and precision.
An experienced surgeon should be able to explain why a specific approach suits your case — not simply what she’s most comfortable performing. Dr. Usha M Kumar, a Director-level Gynaecologic & Robotic Surgeon at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, is trained across the full range of surgical techniques, which means the recommendation is based on your anatomy and condition, not a limited toolkit.
3. How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
This can feel like an uncomfortable question to ask, but it’s one of the most important. Surgical outcomes are strongly linked to a surgeon’s experience with that specific procedure. Don’t hesitate to ask directly — a confident, experienced surgeon will answer this without any defensiveness.
4. What are the risks and possible complications, specific to my case?
Every surgery carries risk, and a trustworthy surgeon won’t gloss over this. Ask what complications are possible, how likely they are, and — importantly — how they’d be managed if something unexpected arose during surgery.
5. Will you be removing my ovaries, and what does that mean for my hormones?
This question matters enormously for hysterectomy patients. Removing the ovaries (versus just the uterus) has significant implications for hormone levels and can trigger surgical menopause if you haven’t already reached it naturally. Make sure this decision — and its reasoning — is discussed explicitly, not assumed.
6. How will this surgery affect my fertility?
If you hope to have children in the future, this needs to be an explicit part of the surgical planning conversation — not an afterthought raised only if you bring it up. Ask specifically how the proposed procedure will be performed to preserve fertility where possible, and what your realistic chances of conceiving afterward look like.
7. What does recovery actually look like — day by day, and week by week?
Ask for specifics: How many days in hospital? When can you walk unassisted? When can you drive, return to a desk job, resume exercise, or have intercourse? A detailed, realistic recovery timeline (rather than a vague “you’ll be fine in a few weeks”) helps you plan your work and home life properly, and helps you recognise if your own recovery seems to be deviating from expectations.
8. What anaesthesia will be used, and who will be part of my surgical and post-operative team?
Understanding whether general or regional anaesthesia will be used, and who else — anaesthetists, assisting surgeons, critical care backup — is involved gives you a fuller picture of how your safety is managed throughout the procedure, not just during the operation itself.
9. What will this cost, and what does that include?
Ask for a clear breakdown: surgeon’s fees, hospital charges, anaesthesia, any implants or devices used (relevant for certain procedures), and post-operative follow-up visits. Also clarify what your insurance is likely to cover, and whether the hospital offers cashless claim support.
10. What happens if something is found during surgery that wasn’t expected?
This is a question many patients don’t think to ask, but it matters. For example, a fibroid removal surgery might reveal something requiring a different approach, or a laparoscopic procedure might need to be converted to open surgery for safety reasons. Understanding your surgeon’s plan for these scenarios — and confirming she has the backup and hospital infrastructure to handle them — offers real peace of mind.
Why These Questions Matter More Than You Might Think
Surgery is not just a medical event — it’s a decision you’re entitled to fully understand and participate in. Patients who ask these questions consistently report feeling more prepared, less anxious, and more satisfied with their surgical experience, regardless of the procedure’s complexity.
A gynaecologist who welcomes this kind of dialogue — rather than rushing through consent — is signalling something important about how she’ll treat you throughout your surgical journey, not just in the operating theatre.
What to Expect From a Consultation With Dr. Usha M Kumar
Dr. Usha M Kumar is a Director-level Gynaecologic & Robotic Surgeon at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, with over 30 years of experience and approximately 10,000 surgeries performed. She holds an MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology from Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, is a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG, UK), and holds a Diploma in Advanced Endoscopic Surgeries from Germany along with a Certificate in Laparoscopic Oncology Surgery.
Patients consulting her ahead of gynaecological surgery — whether for fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, prolapse, or gynaecological cancers — can expect a thorough diagnostic workup, a clear explanation of options (medical versus surgical, and among surgical approaches), and enough time to ask every question on this list, and more.
Book a Pre-Surgical Consultation
If you’re weighing gynaecological surgery and want a thorough, honest conversation before deciding, book a consultation with Dr. Usha M Kumar at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket. Bring this list of questions — a good surgeon will welcome every one of them.
