At some point in your life, you may find that you need surgery for an illness or condition. You may want to have a say in this decision or you might simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. This information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Get the facts and compare options about surgeries for the head, neck, and spine in this section.

• Cataracts: Should I Have Surgery?
• Ear Problems: Should My Child Be Treated for Fluid Buildup in the Middle Ear?
•  Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery?
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery?
• Nearsightedness: Should I Have Laser Surgery?
• Scoliosis: Should My Child Have Surgery?
• Sinusitis: Should I Have Surgery?
• Sleep Apnea: Should I Have Surgery?
• Temporomandibular Disorder: Should I Have Surgery for Jaw Pain?
• Tonsillitis: Should My Child Have a Tonsillectomy?
• Wisdom Teeth: Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Get the facts and compare options for surgeries of the heart and chest, in this section.

• Blood Transfusions: Should I Bank Blood Before Surgery?
• Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
• Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy?
• Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have Angioplasty for Stable Angina?
• Coronary Artery Disease: Should I Have Bypass Surgery?
• Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve?
• Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?

Learn more about your options when it comes to abdominal surgeries.

• Gallstones: Should I Have Gallbladder Surgery?
•  GERD: Which Treatment Should I Use?
• Hemorrhoids: Which Treatment Should I Use?
•  Inguinal Hernia: Should I Have Surgery Now, or Should I Wait?
• Obesity: Should I Have Weight-Loss Surgery?
• Stress Incontinence in Women: Should I Have Surgery?
• Ulcerative Colitis: Should I Have Surgery?
• Umbilical Hernia: Should I Have Surgery?
• Umbilical Hernia: Should My Child Have Surgery?

Learn more about reproductive surgeries and make an informed decision about having one.

• Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?
• Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
• Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery?
• Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
• Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
•  Infertility: Should I Have Treatment?
• Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
• Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
• Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer?
• Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?

Compare options and make an informed decision about surgeries of the extremities in this section.

• Achilles Tendon Rupture: Should I Have Surgery?
• ACL Injury: Should I Have Knee Surgery?
• Arthritis: Should I Have Hip Replacement Surgery?
• Arthritis: Should I Have Knee Replacement Surgery?
• Arthritis: Should I Have Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
• Bunions: Should I Have Surgery?
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Should I Have Surgery?
• Dupuytren's Disease: Should I Have Hand Surgery?
• Hammer, Claw, or Mallet Toe: Should I Have Surgery?
• Meniscus Tear: Should I Have Surgery?
•  Plantar Fasciitis: Should I Have Surgery for Heel Pain?
• Rotator Cuff Problems: Should I Have Surgery?
• Tennis Elbow: Should I Have Surgery?
• Varicose Veins: Should I Have a Surgical Procedure?
• Warts: Should I Treat Warts?

Last Updated: June 2021