A prospective survey of patients undergoing day surgery was performed with the main aim of identifying the need for post-operative follow-up after minor or intermediate surgery. The degree of patient satisfaction and the increased workload that this group of patients caused general practitioners was also analysed. Patients underwent either varicose vein surgery, inguinal hernia repair or vasectomy and were asked to return a prepaid reply questionnaire two weeks after surgery. Ninety-eight patients were recruited into the survey, 89 (90.8 per cent) correctly completed forms were returned. Of these patients 58 (69 per cent) believed that they would not benefit from an outpatient appointment, 19 (21.3 per cent) made one or more visits to their general practitioner but had no continuing problem at two weeks postoperation. Six (6.7 per cent) continued to have a problem and thought they would benefit from a surgical outpatient appointment. Of the five patients given routine follow-up appointments before discharge four expected no benefit from an outpatient appointment and only one wished to be seen. This survey suggests that patients should be given the option of an outpatient appointment after minor or intermediate surgery via a postal questionnaire. Unnecessary appointments would thereby be reduced.