Why You Shouldn’t Delay Surgery

3 Ways Putting Off a Surgical Procedure Affects Your Health

One of the hardest decisions you may ever have to make is whether or not to have surgery. It’s a scary thought, and it’s natural to want to put it off for as long as possible. But there are some very good reasons why you shouldn’t delay surgery. Here are a few of the top reasons from our health experts at St. John's Health:

1. Your health conditions may worsen.

This is probably the most important reason to not delay surgery. If you have a condition that could be helped by surgery, delaying it will only make it worse. The longer you wait, the more damage is being done and the harder it will be to fix.

2. You may lose your insurance coverage.

Another good reason to not delay surgery is that you may lose your insurance coverage. For instance, if your insurance changes at the end of the year and you delay surgery until after New Year’s, your coverage may not be the same. If you have a condition that requires surgery, delaying it could mean that your insurance won’t cover the cost of the procedure.

3. The availability of surgery may decrease.

If you need surgery but delay it, the availability of the procedure may decrease. This is because surgeons’ schedules fill up quickly and they may not be able to accommodate you if you wait too long. This is common around the end of the year, as many take advantage of the holiday season to rest and rehabilitate at home.

Surgical Consultations in Jackson Hole

All in all, delaying surgery is usually not a good idea. If you’re facing a decision about whether or not to have surgery, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. They can help you make an informed decision about what’s best for your health.

St. John's Health uses a state-of-the-art surgical robot from da Vinci to help perform minimally invasive procedures. Available robot-assisted procedures include colorectal, bariatric, and gallbladder surgeries, as well as inguinal hernia and ventral hernia repair. If you’re in need of consultation for a procedure, learn more about our surgical program today.