Your consentimiento informado is the written record of what you agreed to: which operations, who does them, under what anesthesia, with which risks and alternatives explained. Ask for it several days before surgery, read it in a language you fully understand, and check that it matches your quote and your consultation notes before you sign.
This guide walks through what a thorough consent form usually covers, what to do when it's only in Spanish, and the red flags worth stopping for. It isn't legal advice. For your rights as a foreign patient more broadly, see our guide to legal rights for foreign patients in Colombia.
In this guide
What informed consent actually means
Informed consent is a principle found in medical ethics almost everywhere: before a doctor does something to your body, you have a right to understand what it is, why it's being done, what could go wrong, and what else you could choose instead, including choosing nothing. The form is evidence that this conversation happened. It doesn't replace the conversation.
In Colombia, the duty to inform patients and obtain their consent is commonly traced to the medical ethics law, Ley 23 de 1981 (the Código de Ética Médica), along with later rules on medical records and patient rights. You don't need to read the statute. What matters practically is that a careful Colombian surgeon expects you to ask questions and will document the answers.
For elective cosmetic surgery the bar should be higher, not lower. Nothing about your operation is urgent, so there's no reason for you to be rushed into signing.
We describe how consent forms generally work so you can read yours carefully. We can't tell you how a Colombian court would treat any specific document. If you have a legal question, talk to a lawyer licensed in Colombia.
What a thorough consent form should state
Forms vary by surgeon and facility. Many practices use a separate document for each procedure plus one for anesthesia, and some add one for photography. Taken together, the paperwork should let a stranger understand exactly what is planned. Use this table as a reading guide.
| Element | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure(s) | Every operation listed by name, including add-ons such as fat grafting, muscle repair or lipo of specific areas | You should only consent to what you discussed. Combined procedures add operating time. |
| Operating surgeon | The full name of the surgeon who will perform the operation, ideally with their registration details | Lets you verify the person actually operating, not just the person you met. |
| Anesthesiologist and anesthesia type | General, regional or sedation, and who gives it. Often a separate anesthesia consent. | Anesthesia carries its own risks and needs its own informed discussion. |
| Specific risks | Risks relevant to your procedure (e.g. seroma, clots, asymmetry, wound problems, need for revision), not only "risks of surgery" | Generic wording makes it hard to know what was actually explained to you. |
| Alternatives | Other options, including a smaller operation, staging, or not having surgery | Consent is only meaningful if you knew you had choices. |
| Implants or devices | Type, surface, size range and manufacturer, plus a commitment to give you the implant card | You'll need these details for imaging, recalls or future surgery at home. |
| Photography | Whether photos are clinical-record only, or may be used for teaching or marketing, and whether you can refuse | Marketing use should be a separate, optional choice. |
| Signatures and dates | Your signature, the surgeon's, and the date, ideally with a witness | Shows when and by whom the discussion was documented. |
Swipe to see the full table →
Your consent should line up with the anesthesia plan you discussed. If you're unsure what that discussion should cover, our guide to anesthesia safety for cosmetic surgery in Colombia explains the questions to ask the anesthesiologist.
Get it days before surgery, not on the gurney
Many patients see the consent form for the first time on surgery morning, after fasting, sometimes after a sedative, wearing a gown, with a nurse waiting. That's the worst possible moment to read a dense legal-medical document in a second language. You won't ask the questions you'd ask with a clear head.
Ask the surgeon's office for blank copies of every consent document as soon as your date is confirmed. A practice that's comfortable with scrutiny will usually send them. If you're told the form is only given on the day, ask why, and at least insist on receiving it at your in-person pre-op consult.
- Request the documents earlyAsk by email for every consent form you'll sign (procedure, anesthesia, photography, any blood products), so you have the request in writing.
- Translate and read at homeRead slowly, with a translation (see below), and highlight anything unclear.
- Compare against your quote and planCheck procedures, names, implant details and any planned overnight stay against your itemized quote and consultation notes.
- Write your questions downBring a numbered list to the pre-op consult and note the answers next to each one.
- Sign only when it matchesOn surgery day, check that the version you sign is the same one you reviewed, with no new procedures or blank spaces.
If the form is only in Spanish
Most consent documents in Colombia are written in Spanish, and that's normal. The question is whether you understand them. "My coordinator explained it" isn't the same as understanding the specific risks listed.
- Certified translation: an official translator (traductor oficial) can produce a formal translation. This is the most rigorous option, though it takes time and money.
- Trusted bilingual reader: a fluent friend or a medical interpreter you choose can work, especially if they're independent of the clinic.
- Machine translation: useful for a first pass to spot topics, but medical terms can come out wrong. Use it to generate questions, not as your final understanding.
Whatever you use, ask the surgeon to explain each listed risk in their own words during the consult, through a professional interpreter if needed. Some practices also offer an English version. If yours does, check whether it's a full translation or a shorter summary, and which version you're actually signing.
Write a short line under your signature in your own language, such as "I received a translation and had my questions answered," only if that's true. If it isn't true yet, don't sign yet.
Match the consent to your quote and plan
The consent, the quote and the surgical plan should describe the same operation. Mismatches are usually innocent (a template that wasn't updated), but they're exactly the kind of thing to catch before anesthesia, not after.
- Every procedure on the consent appears on your itemized quote, and vice versa.
- The operating surgeon named on the consent is the surgeon you consulted and verified.
- The anesthesia type matches what the anesthesiologist discussed with you.
- Implant size range, surface and brand match what you agreed (if relevant).
- Any planned overnight stay or facility named matches your logistics.
- Photography permissions reflect what you actually want.
- Revision or touch-up terms, if referenced, match what's in your quote.
Keep your consultation notes alongside this checklist. Our guide to credentials and consultation notes shows a simple way to record what was said and by whom.
Red flags worth stopping for
Blank fields where the procedure or surgeon's name should be. A generic one-page form with no procedure-specific risks. A procedure you never discussed, such as extra lipo areas or fat grafting added "while you're under". A different surgeon's name than the one you met. Pressure to sign quickly, or being told questions will "delay the schedule".
Asking to have a blank filled in or a procedure removed before you sign is completely reasonable. If the answer is a vague "it's standard" or irritation, treat that as information about how the practice handles patient questions. You can still walk away. It's elective surgery, and losing a deposit is better than going ahead with an operation you don't understand. Check your deposit terms in advance so you know where you stand.
If you couldn't explain your consent form to a friend in your own words, you're not ready to sign it.
Keep a copy, and what to do with it
Ask for a copy of every document you sign before you leave the facility. Photographing each page with your phone is a sensible backup. Later, also ask for your historia clínica (medical record) and the epicrisis (discharge summary). Your doctor at home may need them if you have follow-up problems.
Store everything in one folder, paper and digital: signed consents, your translation, the quote, implant card, operative and anesthesia notes, and discharge instructions. If you ever need care for a complication at home, or have another surgery years later, these records save time and help the next surgeon understand what was done.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for the consent form to be in Spanish only?
Yes. Most consent documents in Colombia are written in Spanish. What matters is that you understand them before signing, so arrange a certified translation or an independent bilingual reader, and ask the surgeon to explain each risk in their own words.
Can I ask for the consent form before I travel to Colombia?
You can ask, and many practices will send blank copies once your date is confirmed. Request them by email so the request is in writing. If a practice refuses to share them before the day, ask why and make sure you at least review them at your pre-op consult.
What if the consent lists a procedure I never discussed?
Don't sign until it's resolved. Ask the surgeon to explain why it's there. If you don't want it, ask for it to be removed and for a corrected document, and check your quote matches the corrected version.
Does signing a consent form mean I can't complain if something goes wrong?
No. Consent records that risks were explained to you. It doesn't generally excuse care that falls below professional standards. For questions about your specific situation, speak to a lawyer licensed in Colombia.
Should the operating surgeon's name be on the consent?
It's reasonable to expect it. The person who will actually perform your operation should be named, so you can verify them and know who is responsible for the surgery.
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