A general surgery consultation is carried out by a surgeon to diagnose or rule out conditions that may require surgical treatment.

During the first part of the consultation, the surgeon reviews the patient’s medical history, paying particular attention to previous illnesses, past surgical procedures, family history of specific diseases and any ongoing medical treatments. This assessment is always focused on the patient’s specific condition and the reason for referral, often provided by the family doctor.

In the second part of the consultation, the surgeon performs a physical examination of the body’s main systems, including the heart, lungs and abdomen, to evaluate their condition and determine their suitability for any potential surgical procedure. At the end of the examination, the surgeon may recommend planning a future operation if a condition requiring surgery has been confirmed, or rule out the need for surgery if no relevant health issues are found.

If the consultation does not provide a definitive diagnosis—either confirming or excluding the suspected condition—the surgeon may recommend additional diagnostic investigations.