You would probably get more than one bid on a major home remodeling project. You might even take your car to more than one repair shop if you need a lot of work done.

But when it comes to your health, do you ever consider a second opinion? Some local doctors are so convinced of the value of a second opinion, especially for patients facing major operations, that they are offering advice at no charge.

Now, any patient in Missouri or Illinois facing heart or lung surgery can get a free second opinion from doctors at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. (For more information, call 314-867-3627.)

Dr. Ralph Damiano, the hospital''s chief of cardiac surgery, helped develop the idea. He says that initially, the department considered charging for the service. But the ultimate motivation, according to Damiano, wasn''t to generate more money or increase the number of patients he and his colleagues see. He believes a second opinion is just good medicine.

Some insurance companies already require second opinions when certain diseases are diagnosed. But there are other reasons you may want to consider another medical opinion. Seeing another doctor can allow you to explore all of the treatment options available. If one doctor is unable to make a definitive diagnosis, a second doctor may be able to pinpoint your health problem.

At the same time, getting a second opinion, particularly for a major, urgent, medical problem, can be daunting. If one is not required by your insurance company, you''ll have to call to see if your insurer will pay for it. New patients may have to wait weeks for an appointment at some doctors'' offices.

Finally, many patients worry they may offend their own doctor by seeking a second opinion. Damiano says it would be unusual for a physician to feel that way, and that most doctors support getting another opinion.

Patients wanting such advice from Barnes-Jewish Hospital''s cardiac and thoracic departments don''t have to visit in person, unless the doctor reviewing the patient''s medical records deems it necessary. Patients simply have their existing medical records forwarded. Once all of the medical records are on hand, a doctor will issue a second opinion within 48 hours.

Patients are never under any obligation to transfer their care to the doctor who issued the second opinion.

Damiano says his department has done an average of 100 second opinions annually over the past few years. In one-third of those cases, surgery was deemed unnecessary for patients initially told they needed an operation.