Some Common Surgeries

There are a lot of different surgeries that people have daily.  From emergent surgeries that have to be done immediately, to even elective surgeries which medically don’t have to be done but are wanted by the patient.  There are some surgeries that are top ranked as the most common in the United States, ranging from hundreds of thousands of people experiencing them each year to millions of people.  

Cataract Surgery

One of the most common surgeries in the United States is cataract surgery.  Cataracts are the clouding of the lens in the eye. About 3 million people each year have cataract surgery.  This surgery is an outpatient procedure that has very little risk. With any surgery though there is always some risks and with this one some of them are infection, bleeding and or retinal detachment.  Your surgeon will replace the infected lens from your eye with an artificial lens that will be in your eye permanently. This should replace the once clouded vision that would be experienced from having a cataract.  Some people have to have both eyes done, usually one eye will be done first then once you are healed from the first surgery you will be able to go back and have your second eye done.

Appendectomy

Another common surgery is an Appendectomy.  This is the surgical removal of the appendix.  This surgery is usually an emergent surgery. A person may experience the symptoms of an inflamed appendix, appendicitis.  These symptoms can include pain in the lower right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal swelling, and fever. This is usually an emergent surgery because left untreated the appendix can rupture which in return can cause bacteria and other harmful substances into the abdomen.  There are two difference surgery choices with an appendectomy, open or laparoscopic. An open surgery is when they cut your abdomen open with a big cut perform the surgery then close you back up. The other is laparoscopic which is when tiny incisions are made where a doctor can put a scope and the instruments needed through a few tiny holes instead of opening your entire abdomen up.  Your surgeon will know what the best surgery is depending on the circumstances. An appendectomy can be done as an outpatient procedure if the appendix hasn’t ruptured. Sometimes if the appendix has ruptured you will be kept overnight for some antibiotic treatment to make sure all the bacteria has been killed.

Cholecystectomy

A very similar surgery to an Appendectomy is a Cholecystectomy.  This is the removal of the gallbladder. It can also be done laparoscopically or open.  In very much the same way that an Appendectomy is done. A Cholecystectomy will be performed if you have a cholecystitis which is the swelling of the gallbladder.  This can cause nausea and vomiting. About 460,000 people a year have to have their gallbladder removed. The usual cause of cholecystitis is bile backs up which is what causes gallstones.  The surgery can be an outpatient procedure that will last about an hour. Then you will be able to go home same day. If you have an open cholecystectomy your stay in the hospital may be prolonged for a few days afterwards to make sure there is no infection and you are healing properly.  Open surgeries are harder on your body and sometimes can take up to six or eight week to recover from fully.

C-Section

Another common surgery is a C section.  About 1.3 million pregnant women have a c-section each year.  This is a surgery to deliver a baby, when a vaginal delivery is not a safe option.  C-sections can be planned, you will know the date and it will probably be before you go into labor.  During a planned c-section you will be given an IV so that you can have fluids and medicine given to you.  Your doctor may insert a catheter to drain your bladder during surgery. Your doctor may give you a spinal block, very similar to an epidural, so that you can feel anything from your waist down, but you will still be awake during the surgery.  Sometimes you may have general anesthesia that will completely under for the surgery but this isn’t typical. There will be sheet put up so that you won’t see anything that is happening while the surgery is taking place. There is a chance to have an emergency c-section and this is when a laboring mother is having difficulty with a vaginal delivery and for the safety of her and the baby a c-section is the best choice.  This can happen if the baby isn’t getting enough oxygen during contractions or pushing, or if the labor isn’t progressing fast enough. If you have an epidural already for an emergency c-section the anesthesiologist maybe able to give you the medicine through the epidural so that you will still be awake for the surgery but not feel anything. If the urgency doesn’t allow this you will be given a general anesthetic to perform the surgery.  A c-section does come with some different recovery times then a normal delivery, you won’t be able to bend over, and there are weight restrictions as well, usually recovery time is eight weeks.

These are just some of the most common surgeries in the United States.  Speak with a surgeon or doctor if you have any additional questions about any of the procedures if you think you need to have one of them.  

Sources:
webmd.com
mayoclinic.org
healthgrades.com