OT: Consumer Reports Article: 12 surgeries you may be better off without

[Melanie]

12 surgeries you may be better off without
http://www.consumerreports.org/mg/free-highlights/manage-your-health/needless_surgeries.htm

[essnce629]

Very interesting. I completely and totally agree with #3 (c-section), #4 (episiotomy), and #6 (circumcision). I don't have any experience with the rest, but I'm not surprised about procedures being done without adequate research on the long-term outcomes, risks, etc.

The only thing I've had done is #12 (wisdom-tooth extraction) and just recently I was actually wondering why it was even done. They weren't impacted, causing problems, or anything. I just spent one summer at my dads (after my 1st year of college) and before I went my mom said I would be getting them out while I was there. I was like "ok." There really was no reason for it and if it was up to me now I would have said just leave them alone.

***Latia
Conner, my homebirthed water baby, 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif Self-weaned at 24 months! http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9870.gif

[s7714]

#12 is interesting. I've been amazed at the difference in opinions from dentists I've had over the years on wisdom teeth. Seems like one dentist would tell me I needed to have them out asap and the next would tell me we'd just leave them alone unless there was a problem. My current dentist is of the latter opinion and I've been debating whether to ask to have them removed as they give me headaches a couple times a year.

My DH actually has his four wisdom teeth in place of his four back molars, because they pulled the molars prior to putting him in braces. Amazing how much variance there is in dental practices--so much so it's really rather scary!

Jennifer
Mommy to
DD 3/03
DD 6/05

Calling fellow BBB SoCal moms...we'd love to meet you!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babybargainssocal/

[Melanie]

I've also noticed with Wisdom teeth, if you have a problem with one or two of them, they recommend having them all pulled! I had all mine out at age 16 b/c one or two (can't recall) were headed towards other teeth. At that age I was still in the "doctor knows best camp" so did it without question. A couple of years ago Dh was going to have his out, and I lobbied strongly to leave some alone but he did it anyway.

I have heard they are called "Wisdom Teeth" b/c them come in at the age one would traditionally have children who are teething and it gives you the wisdom to know what they are going through. LOL.

ETA: Jennifer, between Dh & I we've hit two of the dental surgeons in our town so LMK if you want any good/bad stories if you decide to go ahead. I have one of each. LOL.