5 operations to avoid...what to do instead

Well, I did have two episiotomies, and a hysterectomy for fibroids and endometriosis. Have had no trouble with the latter. I found that the episiotomies were irritating. I know about heart burn, and I have figured out how to avoid it, and I also will take papaya enzymes for it if it is really severe. I knew about the back surgeries and the angioplasties. It takes longer to improve a condition with diet and exercise, but I think it is much safer in the long run.

these procedures are done for one thing mostly so the docs can haul in more money!the AMA is consumed by greed this is why we are one of the only countries that dont have universal health care not the reason they keep feeding us that is it wont work it has worked in the UK for more than 60 yrs and its still going and as i have lived there I know this and know it works

With a whole section of society without medical insurance those that do are having unnecessary things done with the doctors at fault for suggesting them. The system needs to be dealt with and a national system put in to place to make the costs even out and possibly drop. The country is only as healthy as its people and that leads us to another discussion. The healthy cities would not have but maybe one hospital since stuff does happen.

You know I think the situation in the UK is a bit different - here it is mainly funded by the NHS and we don't have surgery flung at us as an easy solution! I had an apisiotemy with my eldest but he was a forceps delivery - to avoid Csection and I wish I had had it with my second as I was very badly torn both internally and externally and needed a lot of stitching! I have also had lower back surgery which I had to wait for for over a year and could barely walk - I am at the moment waiting on another mri to see if I need a further surgery - I have a lot of nerve damage because my surgery was delayed for so long and that could be the reason that I am now so immobile - if not it would seem that another surgery is required! i am 37 and have 2 children so whilst I can appreciate that these surgeries may be overused I really feel that that story should have mentioned that there are many cases that require surgery - I would hate to see people who really need surgery turning it down and having to suffer more than neccessary! I do appreciate you posting it here though as it is interesting to read these opinions! xxx

Medical profession has ethics and work for the better of human beings, but in this century, people seems to be making profit out of this noble profession.it is very sad.

I disagree with this article, I feel angioplasty in some cases is needed. I also feel in my case a hyserectomy was needed. I did not have cancer, I had fibroids, endometrosis, overan cysts, and adhesions. I was bleeding all the time. When I took the medication to stop the bleeding I had daily migraines. I was not able to function. I had a total hyaterectomy except my doctor left one ovarie. I am so much better. I am glad I had the hysterectomy.

I read this last night. I was very surprised and I passed it on to several people. I know my mom had one of these surgeries, and looking at the explanation as to why it might not should have been done, I have to agree and I think my mom was misled.

this latest news just shows us that science had and never will be perfect, it is just continually seeking for a better ways. However, to the credit of true science, it is never afraid to tell the truth unlike other human institutions we have around. the truth is: science is not to be totally relied upon when it comes to our own health. There are some procedures that are currently being used that will be obsolete in the coming years. Doctors could also be wrong! The medical world is now advancing tremendously but still we have to understand that selfish interests and business influences still pervade in the industry. This is an industry which is always money-hungry and has an insatiable greed for more money and money. Well, even the best medical scientist is also human and as such is never perfect. Sometimes we really have to assert our own rights and our own understanding of things because at the end we will the one to suffer of any medical procedure gone mad.

I knew about most of this already and think it's a shame that ppl want to take the 'easy' way out most of the time. For me, I was given the option of Episiotomy when I was in labor. I chose not to have it being I had read up on it and didn't feel it was necessary. I tore naturally which they stitched up after my daughter was born. I've had no side affects from it at all but might of had some had I gone along with the cut. As for lower back pain, again I was given 2 options. Complete bed rest for 2yrs to 'fix' my ruptured disk or laser surgery to remove the ruptured part. Being I was in so much pain that meds couldn't even tamp it down a lil and I HAD to work or become homeless, I chose the surgery. Granted my back isn't the same like it was b4 I ruptured the disk, I find that my nightly walking does indeed help immensely in preventing any back pain I have now. I reruptured it 4 yrs. after the surgery but this time I chose to just take it easy for several months. No bending,lifting, twisting and plenty of walking cured it. I know what it feels like when I rupture a disk now and know what to do about it w/o having to head to the neurologist for treatment, saving me a ton of money. That's why I'm so glad I have my paper route. I can still work whenever I rupture a disk cause I'm just sitting in my car driving while delivering the papers. No bending or lifting required.

On the hysterectomy issue it is still sometimes even without cancer is neccesary. Back in 1994 I had to have one myself. The ovaries were not taken though. My so called monthly would go 2 solid weeks and have great big clots. It would usually take a half hour to completely fill an overnight paid when I laid down. They had tried anytling they could to help. This tome actually saved my life,I think.

Maybe that is part of the reason our medical costs are so high. Unnecessary surgery, unnecessary testing etc. Buggers.