Dr. Sally Carty's career is teaching and performing endocrine surgery, the former at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and the latter at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

But when she needed "a big operation" herself last year, she did some research before settling on a surgeon.

"I asked around, both patients and physicians," Dr. Carty said. "If you get the same name from three different people it gives you confidence. ... You can ask your doctor 'What about this person?' Many of my patients come from other satisfied patients. That's a very effective method for finding the right surgeon."

It's research that both Dr. Carty, a fellow in the prestigious American College of Surgeons, and the ACS recommend. But it's also research that American consumers give little time to, at least not compared to other major life events.

According to a recent ACS survey, surgical patients spend an average of just one hour researching the operation or their surgeon compared to eight hours time researching the purchase or lease of a new car or four hours planning a vacation on which they'll spend $1,000 or more.

To encourage patients to put a little more time into finding a surgeon and preparing for surgery, ACS executive director Dr. Thomas R. Russell has written an easy-to-read blueprint called "I Need an Operation ... Now What? A Patient's Guide to a Safe and Successful Outcome."

Dr. Carty also took some time out recently to recommend some easy ways to find the right doctor for the right job.

"Your PCP [primary care physician] or your referring doctor is your most important resource," she said, "but other doctors, the Internet, the clerk at the grocery store with the incision you're going to get [are too]."

And once you visit a surgeon, make sure you ask him or her as many questions as he or she should be asking you.

Among those listed by Dr. Carty:

• "Why do I need surgery?

• "What are my alternatives?

• "What are the risks and the benefits?

• "How many [of these procedures] have you done? and

• "What have I forgotten to ask you?

"You're looking for a systematic approach to disease," Dr. Carty added, "... someone who is organized, someone who has done it before, who has educational handouts or videos you can review, someone who's willing to tell you a success rate and his operation numbers."

How do you know if the doctor is lying?

"You don't," she said. But, she added, if you find one who has FACS behind his or her name, you can feel pretty confident about both his competence and ethics because candidates for the ACS are thoroughly assessed and reviewed before they are granted the status of fellow. Information on ACS fellows is available online at www.facs.org.

Dr. Carty and Dr. Russell in his book also recommend that you take a family member or friend to the appointment. Sometimes they come up with questions you haven't thought of.

"Our office staff routinely suggest that [you bring someone] when they book a patient," Dr. Carty said.

Interviewing friends who have used a surgeon is easier than doctors. Just ask "How was it? Did you trust them? Who's the best?" Dr. Carty said.

Most insurance companies pay for second opinions or referrals, so if you're not convinced the first surgeon you see is the right one, she said, try again.

"You need to feel comfortable with your surgeon," Dr. Russell writes in his book. "If you have a good doctor-patient relationship, you can more easily communicate with each other. ...

"The surgeon should be willing to answer your questions and should do so in a way you can understand. ...

"The doctor should calm your fears and hesitations about the operation, rather than ignoring them or, even worse, making light of them. ...

"Professionalism is important also. The surgeon should speak, act and dress appropriately. He or she should have a positive attitude."

"I Need an Operation" can be bought at Web retailers and retail outlets nationwide at a suggested retail price of $19.95 or ordered from the ACS Web site, www.facs.org, for the reduced price of $15.95.