Most Americans visit a doctor or a healthcare professional once or twice a year for their annual check-up, which is one of the most common medical procedures. But what happens when something serious happens, and you can’t just go in for your annual check-up?
Cataract Removal
Each year, about three million people in the United States have cataract surgery. By the age of 80, half of all Americans have developed cataracts—cloudy spots on the eye lens that impair vision. A cataract can be removed only through surgery.
The procedure is quick and painless. First, your eye doctor will numb your eye with drops. Then they will make an incision in the cornea—the eye’s clear covering. The surgeon then removes the cloudy lens, replacing it with an artificial one. After surgery, you may need to wear an eye patch for a few days while the new lens settles into place. Cataract surgery costs between $2,300 and $3,000.
C-Section
About one in three births is by cesarean section. Some women plan to have a C-section because of health issues, while others may need one if problems arise during pregnancy—for example, high blood pressure. Because of the increased risks and added recovery time required, cesarean sections cost about $13,000.
Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common operations in the U.S. About 700,000 people undergo hip replacement each year, most of them between the ages of 50 and 70. Hip replacements are often necessary because arthritis wears away bone tissue and cartilage around the joint.
The procedure involves removing damaged cartilage and replacing it with an artificial hip joint made from metal or plastic materials. It can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $45,000, depending on where you live and whether insurance covers any part of your treatment or not.
Heart Bypass Surgery
In the United States, coronary artery bypass grafting is the most common type of open-heart surgery performed. Approximately 395,000 people go through this operation annually. Heart disease results from plaque build-up in arteries that supply blood to the heart. If a blockage is severe enough, it can cause a heart attack.
The operations typically involve the doctor reconnecting blocked arteries with healthy ones. This creates a new way for blood flow and restores the heart’s function. The cost of coronary artery bypass graft surgery varies widely throughout the United States, averaging about $40,000.
Hysterectomy
Each year, approximately 500,000 women undergo hysterectomies in the United States. This surgical procedure removes a woman’s uterus and is often performed to treat severe uterine abnormalities, such as cancer. The average cost of a hysterectomy is between $5,000 and $20,000. The price can vary depending on the hospital and whether or not any complications arise during surgery.
The cost of a hysterectomy varies by region and the complexity of the procedure. For example, a woman with an abdominal hysterectomy will pay less than someone who undergoes vaginal surgery.
Ultimately, these statistics don’t necessarily signify that you’ll also have to undergo surgery. On the off-chance you may have to, we hope this article has provided you with the necessary information to ease your anxiety. At Christian Healthcare Centers, we treat our patients with compassion and respect. We focus exclusively on the patients and their physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness, including the most common medical procedures.
