The Most Common Surgeries: A Quick Guide

Did you know that every year around 15 million Americans have some type of surgery? 

Sometimes they’re to treat pain; other times, they’re to modify a certain part of the body. Although surgical procedures are common, they can still be intimidating to think about—especially if you’re about to undergo surgery of your own.

Whether you’re looking to put your mind at ease or simply curious to know more, this guide will explore the most common surgeries. 

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.  

Cataract Surgery

Every year around three million people get surgery to remove cataracts. Approximately half of all Americans will develop cataracts by the time they turn eighty years old. 

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. This can create problems with your vision, and surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. 

The procedure is simple. The surgeon removes the lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial one. It’s one of the minor surgeries that seems more complicated than it actually is.

C-Section

Although vaginal birth is more common, there are a significant amount of women who have their babies by C-section. During a C-section, the baby is surgically removed through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and then a second incision in the uterus.

This could be due to a personal preference, safety reasons, or if problems develop during pregnancy. 

Joint Replacement

With more than one million Americans getting joint replacement surgery each year, this is a fairly common procedure. The most common surgery is knee replacements, with hip replacements following close behind.

The surgeon removes the damaged joint and replaces it with a new, artificial one. This is a common procedure for people with joint damage. 

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. This ensures that a woman doesn’t get pregnant. Around 500,000 women a year have a hysterectomy. 

There are plenty of reasons why people get this surgery. It can be due to benign conditions or malignant conditions. The cost varies depending on the reason for the surgery and type of procedure. 

If you’re interested in building a surgery center but aren’t sure how to get started, you can learn more here.

Gallbladder Removal

The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver; it stores bile, which helps digest fat. Gallstones can form in the bladder. These are small formations that block the flow of bile to other organs.

The most common way to treat gallstones is to remove the gallbladder. It’s easy to live a healthy life without it. Usually, a surgeon performs a cholecystectomy with a laparoscope using small incisions.

Most Common Surgeries

There is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about getting surgery which explains why there’s so much anxiety surrounding it. The best way to ease those worries is to do plenty of research. If you start with knowing the most common surgeries and the process, you can build your way up from there.

Looking for more useful articles like this? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog!