Is it possible to reschedule surgery? Understanding your options and responsibilities

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Up to 85% of elective surgical cancellations are preventable, but unexpected situations can arise for both patients and providers. When a conflict occurs, patients frequently ask, "Is it possible to reschedule surgery?" The answer is yes, but the process, potential consequences, and required notification depend on several factors, including the type of surgery and the reason for the delay.

Quick Summary

It is often possible to reschedule surgery, but it requires prompt communication with your healthcare provider. Factors influencing the process include the medical urgency of the procedure and the specific reasons for postponement. Patients should understand their hospital's policy on cancellation fees, the health risks of delays, and the financial implications involved.

Key Points

Timely Communication is Crucial: Contact your surgeon's office as soon as you anticipate a need to reschedule to prevent last-minute issues and potential fees.
Policies Vary by Practice: Understand your specific surgical center's policy on rescheduling, as rules regarding notification windows and cancellation fees differ.
Elective vs. Emergency: Rescheduling is common for elective procedures but extremely rare for emergencies due to their time-sensitive nature.
Understand Financial Risks: Be aware of potential cancellation fees that may be charged to you for last-minute postponements, especially for non-medical reasons.
Consider Health Implications: Delaying necessary surgery can sometimes lead to a worsening of your medical condition, so discuss the risks with your doctor.
Be Honest About Illness: Never hide symptoms of illness before surgery, as doing so puts you at risk for serious complications with anesthesia.
Recognize the Emotional Toll: Rescheduling is stressful for patients and requires logistical adjustments, so acknowledge the emotional and practical burden involved.

Common Reasons for Rescheduling Surgery

Rescheduling a surgical procedure is not a simple decision and involves coordination among a large medical team. Delays can originate from three main areas: the patient, the medical staff, or the hospital system itself.

Patient-Related Reasons

Patient Illness: One of the most common reasons for a patient-initiated delay is becoming unwell before the procedure. A fever, a cold, a respiratory infection, or even a dental issue could lead to complications with anesthesia, making postponement the safest option.
Non-Compliance: Failing to follow pre-operative instructions, such as fasting guidelines or stopping certain medications like blood thinners, will lead to an immediate cancellation.
Personal Request: Patients may request a change for personal or logistical reasons, such as a scheduling conflict or a lack of transport on the day of surgery. The success of this request depends heavily on how early it is made and the specific policy of the surgical center.

Medical Staff and Provider Reasons

Physician Unavailability: A surgeon or anesthesiologist may need to reschedule due to their own illness or a personal emergency.
Change in Medical Plan: During pre-operative checks, an unexpected finding in blood work or an ECG may require further investigation before proceeding with the operation.
Anxiety or Doubt: If a patient expresses significant anxiety or second thoughts, a responsible surgeon may recommend a postponement to ensure the patient is fully prepared, especially for non-critical elective procedures.

Hospital and System-Related Reasons

Emergency Cases: Unforeseen emergencies, such as a major trauma case or a mass casualty event, can take priority over elective surgeries, pushing back or canceling less urgent procedures to free up hospital resources.
Resource Constraints: A shortage of available operating rooms (ORs), recovery beds, or essential equipment can cause scheduling delays.
Staff Shortages: An unexpected shortage of surgical or nursing staff on a given day can lead to cancellations.

The Rescheduling Process: Communication is Key

If you need to reschedule, timely and clear communication is your most important tool. Here are the steps you should take:

Notify Early: As soon as you know a conflict exists, call your surgeon's office. Many centers have a specific number or coordinator dedicated to surgical scheduling.
Explain the Situation: Clearly state the reason for the request. If you are ill, describe your symptoms. If it is for a personal reason, be honest and respectful of the clinic's time.
Understand the Policy: Ask about their specific rescheduling and cancellation policies, including any potential fees. Policies can vary significantly between facilities and practices.
Work with the Coordinator: The scheduling coordinator can help find the next available date that works for you and the surgical team. Be flexible, as priority may be given to more urgent cases.
Address Prerequisites: If the delay pushes your surgery back significantly, you may need to repeat some pre-operative tests, such as blood work or a physical, to ensure you are still healthy for the procedure.

Potential Consequences and Considerations

Rescheduling can have significant effects on your health, finances, and emotional well-being. It is crucial to weigh these factors carefully.

Financial Costs

Canceling or rescheduling at the last minute can be costly for both patients and healthcare providers. Many practices charge a cancellation fee for elective procedures not postponed with sufficient notice. These fees help offset the substantial costs of preparing an operating room, staffing, and equipment, which can amount to thousands of dollars per canceled case. Always ask for details on your specific policy.

Health Risks of Delay

While some postponements are for safety, delaying a necessary surgery can sometimes worsen a condition. One study found that postponing transcatheter aortic valve replacement was associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiac events. If you are delaying surgery, it is important to work with your physician to manage your symptoms and condition during the waiting period.

Emotional and Logistical Burden

Preparing for surgery is stressful, and a last-minute cancellation can be emotionally taxing. It can cause feelings of stress, anger, and disappointment. Furthermore, it creates a logistical burden for you and your support system, who may have already taken time off work or made travel arrangements.

Comparing Elective vs. Emergency Surgery Rescheduling

The possibility and process of rescheduling are vastly different depending on the medical urgency of the procedure. Emergency surgeries are almost never postponed, while elective ones have more flexibility.


Aspect	Elective Surgery Rescheduling	Emergency Surgery Rescheduling
Urgency	Non-urgent; planned in advance, often for quality of life improvements (e.g., knee replacement).	Medically necessary and time-sensitive to prevent serious harm or death (e.g., severe injury).
Patient-Initiated	Generally possible, but subject to specific practice policies and fees.	Possible only if the patient becomes medically unfit (e.g., develops a serious infection).
Provider-Initiated	Possible due to staffing issues or other operational conflicts.	In rare instances, can be delayed if a higher-priority emergency takes precedent, but is prioritized as soon as possible.
Financial Costs	Patient may incur cancellation fees, and the hospital faces resource losses.	Focus is on critical care; financial concerns are secondary.
Health Risk	Delaying can sometimes increase health risks or worsen symptoms over time.	Immediate high risk; cannot be postponed without significant medical danger.

Conclusion

Yes, it is possible to reschedule surgery, but it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Successful rescheduling hinges on timely and transparent communication with your healthcare team. Understanding the different reasons for postponement, the potential financial costs, and the health implications of a delay is essential for navigating the process smoothly. While delays are often unavoidable due to medical necessity or hospital demands, being proactive and informed will help you minimize stress and achieve the best possible outcome for your care.

For more information on the effects of surgical delays, particularly those stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, a study published in BMC Medical Ethics provides further insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many surgical practices and centers have cancellation policies that include fees for rescheduling within a certain timeframe, such as 48 hours or two weeks before the procedure. These policies are designed to cover the costs associated with preparing for surgery.

If you experience symptoms of an illness like a cold, flu, or fever in the days leading up to your surgery, you should contact your surgeon's office immediately. They will determine if your symptoms pose a risk and if the surgery needs to be postponed for your safety.

Emergency surgery is rarely rescheduled because it is time-sensitive and necessary to prevent serious harm or death. Delays are extremely rare and typically only happen if another, higher-priority emergency takes precedence or if the patient becomes medically unfit.

The required notice period for rescheduling varies by practice. Some may require 48 hours, while others may enforce a longer period, such as two weeks, to avoid a cancellation fee. It is always best to give as much notice as possible.

Yes, hospitals can reschedule surgery for operational reasons, such as an emergency case requiring the operating room, a staff shortage, or a lack of available beds. This is often out of your control, but the hospital will work to rebook you as soon as possible.

If you are feeling excessively anxious about your procedure, especially an elective one, it is advisable to discuss this with your doctor. In some cases, they may recommend a postponement to ensure you are mentally prepared and confident about moving forward with the surgery.

Delaying necessary surgery can pose significant health risks, as the underlying medical condition may worsen over time. This can lead to increased pain, more complex surgery, and longer recovery times. Discussing these risks with your surgeon is important before making a decision to postpone.