Your cancer surgery follow-up appointment

Learn what you can expect at your follow-up appointment after surgery.

What happens at my follow-up?

Your follow-up appointment (also called a post-op appointment) is an important milestone. You’ve gotten through the first days of recovery and you may have had some side effects or discomfort at this point.

Your doctor may want to see you as soon as 1 week after surgery. During this appointment, your doctor may:

Do some tests
Ask how you’re feeling
Go over your post-surgery appointment schedule
Remove stitches
Discuss other treatments you may need

Care team conversations

Here’s a quick list of questions to ask your doctor at your follow-up appointment:

What side effects should I expect after cancer surgery?
What is my risk of cancer coming back?
When should I meet with an oncologist?
Will I need additional treatment after surgery?

If you have not yet seen an oncologist (cancer doctor), now is a good time to ask your doctor to refer you to one. If you need help finding an oncologist, you can learn more about finding a cancer doctor here. You can also check if your insurance provider’s website offers a “find a doctor” tool. If you don’t have insurance, visit healthcare.gov to search for a local community health center.

What is my risk of cancer coming back?

As you’re discussing recovery and next steps with your doctor, be sure to ask about your risk of recurrence. It can vary based on things like your cancer type, overall health, age, and the treatments used.

Your doctor may recommend treatment after surgery to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

Can my care team help with recovery?

Your entire care team is here to help you as you recover. At follow-up appointments, share how you’re feeling—both physically and mentally—with every care team member you are comfortable with. Remember, it is OK to speak up early and often about how you’re doing.