Choosing a Surgeon

Choosing a surgeon can feel overwhelming. Use these 5 tips to help you find a specialist who is the perfect fit for your health needs and goals.

For great results, patients are always encouraged to take the time they need to investigate the best procedure, location, and surgeon for their needs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the important factors to consider when deciding which surgeon to trust with your care.

1. The right professional qualifications

With so many to choose from, how can you be sure a surgeon can offer you the very best care? It’s true that surgeons vary considerably in their skill and experience, but the primary way to confirm their training and put your mind at ease is to check their credentials. Specialist surgeons must possess certain qualifications before they can practice as consultants. Check that your surgeon is listed on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register for their field.

To earn these qualifications, surgeons must complete years of rigorous training and demonstrate to the medical board that they possess the necessary skill and experience. It’s a demanding process, so you can be sure that a surgeon who holds these qualifications is trained to offer you safe, effective treatment.

2. Membership in the right professional bodies

In theory, any doctor could call themselves a "consultant" without possessing the necessary specialist training. Knowledge is power when searching for a specialist: when doing your research, ask if your surgeon belongs to leading professional organisations in their field.

These can include general professional bodies, such as the Royal College of Surgeons, which uphold high standards of training and expertise. Beyond these, many surgeons are also members of specialty and subspecialty organisations that reflect their particular area of practice, for example:

Specialty societies: such as the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA)

Subspecialty societies: such as the British Hip Society (BHS) or the British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK)

Membership in these organisations demonstrates a surgeon’s commitment to staying at the forefront of their specialty through ongoing training, networking with peers and adherence to rigorous clinical standards.

3. Connection on a personal level

Of course, proper training, qualifications and experience are essential when looking for your perfect surgeon. But technical skills are only part of the equation. The right surgeon for you will be someone you feel you can trust and connect with. Your initial consultation gives you an opportunity to get to know your surgeon better and find out how easy it is to communicate your needs to them.

Take your time and trust your intuition. Do you feel as though your surgeon has truly listened to you and understands the health outcome you’re trying to achieve?

Do you feel as though your surgeon is genuinely hearing your unique needs and respecting your limitations? A great surgeon will take the time to make you feel heard and understood. After you’ve confirmed your surgeon’s credentials, having a personal and trusting relationship is essential to feeling confident in moving forward with surgery. Remember that there’s no rush and it’s always an option to keep looking until you find a surgeon you’re truly comfortable with.

4. Their recommendations match your goals

Crystal-clear communication will make sure that you get the best possible outcome for your body. An excellent idea is to ask to see clinical evidence or case studies of previous patients with a similar health profile to you, and see how their outcomes compare to your goals for surgery. A good surgeon will also help you visualise the results you can expect and be encouraging yet realistic about the process.

5. Check their patient reviews

While no two patients will have exactly the same experience, you can nevertheless learn a lot by reading about the experiences of other patients. After all, who better to gain insight from than a surgeon’s previous patients?

Honest information from patients who’ve undergone a similar procedure will help you mentally prepare and get a better idea of what you can expect on the day of your own procedure. Again, it’s useful to find patient experiences from people like you. Look for people of a similar age, body type, and health status who had a successful recovery.

How Medbelle helps you choose your surgeon

Choosing a surgeon is a deeply personal and important decision. While it’s crucial to do your research, the process of finding the right specialist, confirming credentials, seeking a personal connection, and coordinating consultations, can be time-consuming and overwhelming.

At Medbelle, we simplify this entire process for you. Our model is built on helping you find a surgeon who not only meets the highest professional standards but also understands your unique needs.

• Curated network: We partner with a hand-picked network of consultants who have already been accredited by leading professional bodies. This means we have already done the extensive work of verifying their qualifications and expertise for you.
• Personalised matching: Your Medbelle Personal Care Adviser will help you find the specialist who is the right professional and personal fit for your health goals, arranging consultations so you can feel confident in your choice.
• Guidance and support: From providing you with patient stories to helping you prepare your questions for a consultation, we are with you every step of the way to ensure you feel empowered and informed.

By working with Medbelle, you can take the guesswork out of finding a surgeon and focus on what truly matters: a successful, healthy outcome.