Surgeries you should be skeptical about

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Sep 18th 2007 11:14PM

I know few people who haven't had surgery -- whether they're young or old, many of my friends and family members have gone under the knife for some reason or another (I haven't, though.) It seems like surgery is a way of life these days, even though it's invasive and very hard on the body. AOL Health has put together a list of surgeries that you should consider a last resort. That is, look into other options and get second opinions before going into the OR before going into the OR:

Spinal Surgery
Hysterectomy
Angioplasty
Knee Arthroscopy

For more information on why you should be wary and what you should consider instead, check out the full article.

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Comments (69)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Joanne 9-19-2007 @ 8:39AM

I had a spinal surgery for a herniated disc years ago.
I awoke, from this so called simple procedure, paralyzed.
I would highly recommend anyone considering this surgery to go through extensive physical therapy first.
While I have relearned to walk and use my hands, I am left with permanent nerve damage. I absolutely agree with the article. Try alternatives first.

Tish 9-19-2007 @ 8:50AM

I had a Hysterectomy 6 years ago and I do again. I also had an Angioplasty that help me live. Get with it people!

Monica 9-19-2007 @ 9:21AM

My grandmother had a full hysterectomy and when she got older her upper organs started to slide into her pelvic area. It sounds unbelievable, but it's true. Think about it, all that empty space, gravity. That would be the very last resort for me!

Shawnna 9-19-2007 @ 9:26AM

In 2003 I had back surgery. I was told I had 2 ruptured discs and a piece of cartilage in my bladder which caused my crouch to go numb. They did nothing but took out the cartiledge. Yes, to this day I am still in pain. I do have days were just walking wrong could cause me to have to lay flat on the floor, or not being able to lift my leg over the tub, but I know my body and I know when it's time to seek medical help.
I know I need to exercise and lose some weight, I know that strength training is a plus and that thinking about how to lift objects and bending is a must. I also know that if I go numb again or I lose bowel control there is a big problem, I'm glad they didn't put screws or nothing in me, but i'm sure its helping some people.
I also found out I have Degenerative disc disease, so this will be a life process for me. Good luck and just know that everyone knows their own body and hopefully you can detect when there is a problem and seek help and make the right decisions for you.

Debbie 9-19-2007 @ 12:02PM

I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago and yes I could have survived without having it. However, I will be the first to tell you that my quality of life since the surgery has been better than I could ever have imagined. There are risks for any type of surgery, but for me this was the best thing I have ever had done.

Jennifer 9-19-2007 @ 9:47AM

I am 32 years old andd had a total hysterectomy 3 years ago. I was trying to get pregnant when I fuond out that I had endometriosis. I got a second opinion, but they were in agreement. About 6 months ago, my currrent doctor told me that judging by my records, there was no reason for the surgery and it could have been treated another way. Not too mention the surgery itself alomst killed me. Ladies, if your doc starts talking hysterectomy, get 3 opinions.

Sunny 9-19-2007 @ 11:08AM

In regards to hysterectomy, what do you do when you have severe ovarian problems? Ignore the problem and it will go away? I wish it were that simple. For me, hysterectomy saved my life. I feel wonderful.

David 9-19-2007 @ 10:23AM

I've had back pain all my life. At 32, I was diagnosed with occult spina bifada, scoliosis, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, 6 herniated disc, a congenital c-6/c-7 fusion, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, and spurs over 2 in. long on my spine. I am now 52, and still have not had surgery. I have pain, but refuse to let anyone cut on me as long as I can walk. Yoga, Tai chi, and acupuncture have all helped. I also now have spondylolithesis...a broken bone in my low back that causes my back to slide off the sacrum, causing the nerves to swell and making it difficult to do anything. The best advise I've seen on here is to know your own body. Avoid problems and don't self-medicate. Once you start on narcotics, it is only a matter of time that they will have have less effect and you will need more or something stronger. Definitely seek more than one Dr's word before considering surgery. It will affect you the rest of your life, and not always in a positive manner, as they will promise. Be informed, lose weight, and find exercise that your body can handle.

Sylvia Lyons 9-19-2007 @ 10:22AM

I am almost 60 years old. The month before I turned 40, I had a hysterectomy. For the last year or so, I have pain in my pelvic area. I have bladder problems, IBS, and feel like something is pressing down on my bladder and intestines. I realize that there isn't anything there to hold up these organs. and the pressure around the whole area , where my incision is , is painful. I think this is caused because I had a hysterectomy.

chere 9-19-2007 @ 10:57AM

I just recently had a hystectomy (laproscope) it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I would however always get a second opinion when it comes to surgery- I feel great it has been six weeks now

deb w 9-19-2007 @ 10:53AM

shawnna I can give you some great infromation to help with your pain. they are natural supplments also a wieght loss program that will help you too! this is all natural go to www.theinneryou.unfranchise.com and check out the opc3 and transition I have rumitory arthritus and i'v been on the opc3 for over a year I can't begin to tell you how great that I fill now without the medicine!!!!

randi 9-19-2007 @ 10:39AM

I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago at 39 and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I suffered for years with fybroids as well as the side effects. I lived every day before the surgery in constant pain. Of course I had every test, second and third opinions. Although the doctors werent quick to offer the surgery, it always seemed the best alternative for me. I would never consider harmone therapy. I had a five day hospital stay and was back to work in 3 weeks. Surgery of this nature is never an easy decision, but for me, it was the only one.

Breathe Agaln 9-19-2007 @ 10:52AM

I had my one and only child when I was 39 years old. It was complicated all the way due to fibroid tumors on my uterus and I had natural childbirth. It nearly killed me. I still looked pregnant and yet the doctor I was seeing said nothing was wrong with me...I was merely traumatized by the child birth. I couldn't even have sex without hurting so badly for weeks afterwards. Four years later...I still looked 4 months pregnant, so I requested a specialist. The doctor did an ultrasound and told me the fibroids never shrank and he needed to take out my uterus because by that time I was hemorrhaging. I had a partial hysterectomy...which means only the uterus was removed. I was in and out of the hospital in 24 hours...went home and cooked supper the night I was released. I felt and was literally 10 pounds lighter and since the uterus was removed vaginally, there was no sign of ever having had an operation. After living with so much pain for 4 years...I was on top of the world...until I started having digestive problems. It seems that while I was gallivanting around like a 20 year old again...my internal organs fell wrong and I ended up with IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It changed my life...and not for the better. Ladies...if you elect to have surgery...do what the doctor says. Your chances of complete recovery are better than if you don't. I should have stayed off my feet for at least 30 days. I'm almost 53 now and even though I don't feel it...and hope I don't look it...spontaneity is no longer in my vocabulary. It's a constant battle when you have IBS. My advice to anyone considering a hysterectomy or a partial hysterectomy...is "follow your doctor's advice". When it's all said and done...you may feel like running a marathon...but just take baby steps instead. Because when those organs come out...there's an empty space that has to be filled inside you...your internal organs drop...and it should be a slow process as not to disrupt the natural scheme of things. Trust me...I found out the hard way. I just wish my doctor had explained it to me the way I'm explaining it to you. One more thing...you know your body better than anyone...if you feel something is wrong...keep insisting for help from your doctor...or get another doctor. I lived in pain for 4 years until I changed doctors and the ultrasound was done. Same thing with your child. No one knows your child like you do. Doctors aren't gods. A mother's love is the closet thing to it, though. God Bless.

Blue Kentucky Girl 9-19-2007 @ 11:00AM

I know many women who have had hysterectomies. Their opinions range from 'best thing that ever happened to me' ~to~ 'ruined things in the bedroom'. I have never had one and have always had fear of having to have one.
I was one of the lucky ones who came thru the change of life with never a hotflash or nightsweat; my personality has always been extreme and strong, so no one noticed any change in me, and I did not notice any changes in myself.
My skin is wrinkled and my hair is gray .. I've earned both. It would never occur me to put brown dye into it or ingest estrogen in any form.
Relax, girls, let nature take it's course. A good doctor is absolutely invaluable. A little honesty here ~ a hysterectomy saved my Mother's life when she was 41.

regi9a 9-19-2007 @ 10:59AM

I just had a hysterectomy 4 weeks ago. I am so glad that I did. I had horrible pain and bleeding for the past 10-15 years. The surgeons found what all other tests missed. I had a frozen pelvis. My uterus had sprouted and grew like a vine. It attached to my colon and bladder. I was always peeing too much and having diarrhea. Well, this surgery has cleared up a ton of problems, and even though I am still recovering I feel 1000% better. No more bleeding ever! For the right woman, this surgery is a savior. I'd do it again.

Lisa 9-19-2007 @ 11:03AM

I had a hysterectomy at 38 and then they took an ovary a year the next two years. This caused a hernia that when repaired gave me a staph infection that took 6 years to get rid of. It was a total of 17 surgeries I had. The hysterectomy was the best thing for me but because of not letting the doctor go ahead and take my ovaries it made for more surgeries than necessary which caused the hernia. Check infection rates before you allow a hospital to preform surgery on you. In my state unless I can prove which instrument was dirty and caused the staph infection I can't go after the hospital. It doesn't matter that the infection was on the mesh. I have to prove it was the mesh that caused it and that is impossible. 6 years of my life with big cuts left open, nursing home stays, and general hell all because of a dirty hosptial OR. It wasn't just the numberous female surgeries that did me in but where they fixed the hernia caused by multiple surgeries. Check your state laws about "hospital acquired infection" before one happens to someone you love.

Cindi 9-19-2007 @ 11:07AM

Three and a half years ago I underwent surgery at Cleveland Clinic to release my tethered spinal cord. The surgical procedure and my recovery were uneventful, and resulted in immediate relief of pain and discomfort throughout my entire body. I give thanks to God for guiding the hands of incredible surgeons and medical staff. My advice: Read, inform yourself and get multiple opinions before undergoing any medical treatment. I only wish I had been diagnosed and been able to receive this treatment years sooner.

Lisa 9-19-2007 @ 11:07AM

Check out stophospitalinfections.org

Laura 9-19-2007 @ 11:15AM

My 2004 hysterectomy was a life-changing, liberating event. I am healthier, happier and easier to get along with after 30 years of of suboptimal quality of life.

Maureen 9-19-2007 @ 11:16AM

I had a Hysterectomy 5 months ago for severe fibroids and pain.I wish I had surgery sooner.I feel so great and have so much more energy.Finally I am pain free and can enjoy my life. At 43,the bedroom time has never been better.