5 Surgeries I Would Personally Avoid as a Doctor (Unless Absolutely Necessary)

After more than two decades working in clinical medicine, I’ve watched a pattern repeat itself more times than I’d like to admit.

Patients enter the operating room hoping for relief—relief from pain, limitation, fear, or uncertainty—and yet some leave with more discomfort, more restrictions, and a quiet regret they didn’t expect.

Often, that regret surfaces as a single question asked far too late: “What if I hadn’t had the surgery?”

Within healthcare circles, there’s a saying that doesn’t always make it into patient conversations: the best surgery is sometimes the one that never happens. Not because surgery is bad or unnecessary by nature, but because it is irreversible, and in many cases, it’s recommended before all reasonable alternatives have truly been explored.

Every incision changes anatomy. Every surgical scar—visible or internal—alters function, movement, and tissue behavior. Once that step is taken, there is no reset button. That’s why any decision involving surgery should be made with a full understanding of the medical, functional, financial, and long-term health consequences.

Below are five surgeries that, based on years of experience, I would personally avoid in most situations—except when the indication is clear, urgent, and medically unavoidable.

1. Herniated Disc Surgery

Herniated disc surgery is among the most frequently performed orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures—and also one of the most commonly rushed.

To be clear, there are scenarios where this surgery can be life-changing or even lifesaving. Severe nerve root compression, progressive muscle weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or clear neurological deterioration are absolute indications. In those cases, delaying surgery can cause permanent damage.

But outside those situations, most chronic lower back pain does not originate in the disc itself.

Imaging studies like MRI scans are powerful diagnostic tools, but they are often overinterpreted. Research consistently shows that if you scan 100 pain-free adults, a significant percentage will display disc protrusions or even herniations—despite having no symptoms at all.

In many patients, persistent pain is linked instead to:

• Pelvic imbalance

• Restricted hip mobility

• Ligament strain

• Chronic muscle guarding

• Postural adaptations from old injuries

• Even head or neck trauma affecting spinal mechanics

The lumbar spine is often the victim, not the culprit.

Operating on a disc without correcting the underlying mechanical overload is like replacing a tire without aligning the wheels. The symptom may change location, but the dysfunction remains. Patients frequently return years later with pain above or below the original surgical site—sometimes requiring additional procedures, increased medical bills, and long-term pain management.

From a health insurance and financial planning perspective, repeat spinal surgeries can become a long-term burden with diminishing returns.

2. Hemorrhoid Surgery

Hemorrhoid surgery is often described casually as a “minor procedure,” but patients who have undergone it know the reality can be very different.

Postoperative recovery frequently involves:

• Weeks of pain when sitting or walking

• Sleep disruption

• Difficulty returning to work

• Reduced quality of life during healing

For active individuals, professionals, or caregivers, this recovery period can significantly impact daily functioning and income stability.

What’s less commonly discussed is that hemorrhoids often have a mechanical origin, not just a vascular one. In many cases, they result from increased pressure in the pelvic region caused by:

• Descent of internal organs

• Chronic constipation

• Prolonged sitting

• Poor pelvic mobility

• Old falls affecting the sacrum or coccyx

• Postural changes following head or spinal injuries

When internal organs press downward, pelvic veins struggle to drain efficiently. Blood pools, veins dilate, and symptoms appear.

When mobility is restored, internal pressure reduced, and circulation improved, many patients experience substantial symptom relief without surgery. Even in cases where surgery becomes necessary, preparing the body beforehand—improving pelvic mechanics and circulation—often leads to better outcomes and fewer complications.

3. Surgery for Diastasis Recti

Surgical repair for diastasis recti—especially in women—is frequently proposed far too early.

Hearing measurements like 2.5 inches (6 cm), 2.75 inches (7 cm), or 3 inches (7.6 cm) can understandably trigger fear. Surgery may seem inevitable, particularly after pregnancy or significant weight changes.

But separation width alone does not determine function.

In many cases, diastasis recti improves significantly through:

• Targeted core rehabilitation

• Proper activation of deep abdominal muscles

• Breathing mechanics

• Postural correction

Surgery may close the gap cosmetically, but it does not restore natural abdominal function. True stability, spinal support, and confidence come from muscles doing their job—not from stitches holding tissue together.

Before consenting to surgery, it’s worth asking:
Has my body truly been given the chance to heal and adapt?

From both a long-term health and medical cost standpoint, conservative rehabilitation is often safer, more sustainable, and less disruptive.

4. Varicose Vein Surgery

Varicose veins develop gradually, not suddenly. They are the visible result of chronic pressure overload within the venous system.

Common contributing factors include:

• Pregnancy and childbirth

• Chronic constipation

• Heavy lifting

• Prolonged standing or sitting

• Nutritional deficiencies affecting vein walls

While surgical or cosmetic procedures can rapidly improve appearance, they often fail to address the underlying pressure imbalance. As a result, new varicose veins frequently appear years later—sometimes requiring repeat interventions and additional healthcare expenses.

By improving circulation, reducing internal pressure, strengthening supportive tissues, and addressing lifestyle factors, many patients can delay or avoid surgery entirely, particularly in early stages.

From a preventive health perspective, this approach also lowers the likelihood of future vascular complications.

5. Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse rarely occurs overnight. It develops slowly as supportive tissues weaken and internal structures descend.

Early symptoms—pressure, discomfort, urinary changes—are often dismissed or normalized. By the time surgery is recommended, damage may already be significant.

However, when detected early, many cases respond well to:

• Pelvic floor rehabilitation

• Postural and breathing correction

• Core and hip strengthening

• Reducing chronic downward pressure

Once tissues are surgically altered, function is permanently changed. Mesh complications, recurrence, and chronic discomfort are not uncommon and can create long-term legal, medical, and insurance challenges for patients.

The key is early intervention, before structural damage becomes irreversible.

Practical Advice Before Considering Surgery

Before making any surgical decision, consider these principles carefully:

• Never decide based on imaging alone

• Always seek a qualified second opinion

• Ask about conservative and non-invasive alternatives

• Evaluate how the surgery may affect long-term function

• Consider recovery time, financial impact, and quality of life

• If surgery is unavoidable, prepare your body beforehand

Surgery is not the enemy—but it should rarely be the first solution. Choosing when not to operate is often just as important as knowing when to act.

Health decisions are not only medical choices—they are investments in your future mobility, independence, and financial stability.

And sometimes, the smartest decision is simply to pause… and look a little deeper.

As you were.