Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Hernia Surgeon · Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
In short
- The consent form records the operation you agreed to, the risks you were told about, and the alternatives you were offered.
- Uncommon problems are written down because you have a right to know them, not because they are expected in your case.
- Signing the form does not sign away your rights. It records a conversation, and you can change your mind afterwards.
The form comes late. You are admitted, the list is running, and a sheet of paper lists things you have not heard of.
It is worth slowing down for. The form is a record of a conversation, and the conversation is the part that matters.
What the form actually lists
Four things, in every version of it.
The operation and the side. The risks you were told about. The other choices you were offered, including leaving the hernia alone. And who explained it to you.
Read the top line first. The side of the hernia written there should match the side that was marked on your skin.
Why uncommon things are written down
The list usually names bleeding, infection, injury to bowel or bladder, numbness, lasting pain, and the hernia coming back.
Most of these are uncommon. They are on the form because you have a right to hear about them before you agree, not because they are likely for you.
Ask for your own numbers. A fit person having a small groin repair does not carry the same risk as someone having a large scar hernia rebuilt.
What each part of the consent form means
| On the form | What it means | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the operation | The repair agreed, and which side | Is the side written correctly |
| Risks listed | What you were told could happen | How likely is each one for me |
| Alternatives | What else was offered, including waiting | What happens if I do nothing |
| Proceed as necessary | Small extra steps found during surgery | What would you not do without asking |
| Signatures | You, and the doctor who explained it | Can I keep a copy |
Unsure about anything on the form? Ask before you sign. A consent discussion is meant to take time.
The line about proceeding as necessary
Most forms carry a line allowing the surgeon to do what is needed if something unexpected is found.
It covers small things. Taking a piece of tissue to send to the laboratory, or leaving a drain. It is not a blank cheque.
If there is anything you would want to be asked about first, say so, and have it written on the form. That is allowed, and it is better said now than afterwards.
Who signs if you cannot
An adult signs for themselves. That is the rule, even when the family would rather decide.
If someone cannot read the form, it is read out to them in a language they speak, and a witness signs that this was done. If an adult cannot understand or retain the information, the next of kin is involved and the reason is recorded.
For a child, a parent or guardian signs.
What consent does not do
It does not waive anything. Signing it does not mean that a mistake cannot be questioned.
And it is not final. You can withdraw consent at any point before the anaesthetic, without giving a reason.
Ask for a copy. It names the operation, the risks and the date, which is useful later if another doctor asks what was done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse to sign the consent form?
Yes. You can decline, or ask for more time. The operation does not go ahead without your consent.
Does signing mean I accept every risk listed?
It means you were told about them. It does not waive your rights if something is done wrongly.
Can my son or husband sign for me?
No, not for an adult who can understand the information. You sign for yourself.
What does proceed as necessary mean?
It allows small added steps found during the operation, such as a biopsy or a drain. Name anything you want asked first.
Related pages
The main page on this site is hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
Bring your reports. Second opinions are welcome.