Depending on the underlying issue, delaying a surgery could easily lead to needing an even more invasive or extensive procedure, with worse complications or side effects. A blanket avoidance of all surgeries is a great way to be even more miserable.
Anecdotal case: My wife broke her arm some 10 years ago or so. She was really upset about potential recovery time, insurance copayments and such, especially since she was (at the time) a single mother. The doctor suggested setting it and letting it heal on its own, which was absolutely the wrong call. Had she gotten surgery straight away, she would have recovered by the time she actually ended up getting surgery.
I've often wondered if there wasn't a malpractice case that could have been made, but it was before we met so that's lost to time.
Anecdotal case: My wife broke her arm some 10 years ago or so. She was really upset about potential recovery time, insurance copayments and such, especially since she was (at the time) a single mother. The doctor suggested setting it and letting it heal on its own, which was absolutely the wrong call. Had she gotten surgery straight away, she would have recovered by the time she actually ended up getting surgery.
I've often wondered if there wasn't a malpractice case that could have been made, but it was before we met so that's lost to time.