Before an operation in Germany, the patient sits down with a doctor for an Aufklärungsgespräch, a talk that explains the procedure. The patient also signs a form and gets a copy. The Civil Code has required this since 2013. The doctor must explain Art, Umfang, Durchführung, zu erwartende Folgen und Risiken der Maßnahme: its nature, scope, performance, expected consequences and risks. The doctor must also cover its necessity, urgency, suitability and chances of success. If several equally suitable methods carry clearly different risks, the doctor must name the alternatives. The talk must be oral. Written papers may only add to it. It must come early enough dass der Patient seine Entscheidung über die Einwilligung wohlüberlegt treffen kann, so that the patient can make a well-considered decision about consent. It must also be für den Patienten verständlich, understandable to the patient.