So is mine along still all specialists I’ve seen.


They only tend to operate when all other options have been exhausted.
I certainly wouldn’t choose to have an operation without having explored all the possible options first, certainly not just because I’ve paid for the insurance.

Sorry to go off topic, but I don't agree that doctors are knife happy.

Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. Thankfully, it was localised to the tumor, but still invasive. Anyway, I was sure I would have to have a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast), but my doctor advised me to have a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor), based on research. A much easier surgery, one night in the hospital, and ten years later, after chemo, rads and some anti-hormonal treatment, everything is still ok.

Of course, it may still be the case that I metastasize, but so far so good.

Anyway, my doctor would have made much more money with a more extensive surgery, and the hospital would have benefitted from 5 nights versus one in the hospital.

I just don't agree that doctors like to operate as a rule without reason for financial gain.

I agree, but as I mentioned earlier, I have certainly found that they won't deny surgery if you're convinced you need it, as can happen in the UK, for example, where "skiing is important to me, so you must fix my knee so I can do it" is not seen as sufficient justification.

My wife ended up having three surgeries instead of one after her first ruptured ACL as a result of their over-caution, so when she did the ACL in the other leg and told the surgeon that she wanted to go straight for an ACL replacement based on previous experience, he didn't hesitate.

Indeed- it is more because of patient pressure often, in Switzerland- I know several people who have pestered and pestered again until they got 'the knife' - saying they pay so much insurance, they 'deserve it' - which I have found quite surprising/shocking every time. One person I know insisted on having the op late in the year, as he had gone over his franchise, another because she hurt her knee when falling from bike- she got totally better within a couple of weeks, insisting on a op as it was 'free' as covered by accident insurance.


No generalisation, either re surgeons or patients- but this is something I'd never come across in the UK.

I think it is patients demanding intervention. My doctor was relieved when I readily agreed to trying non medication solutions first.

I believe you, since you know the people. Yet I've never heard of someone feeling they "deserve" an operation based on their insurance, nor basing their decision to have an op on those insurance benefits rather than on the medical reasons. How very odd. And as you say, surprising and shocking.

The other part, about planning when (in which insurance year) to have a non-urgent but necessary op, makes sense to me. I know someone whose doctor helped them set the date according to whether it would affect the current or the next year's franchise and self-pay portion.

I suppose nowadays = now that you can learn more yourself from google than the doctor might know.


Some doctors are good some aren't. Some are knife happy some aren't.

Doctors, just like the rest of us come in all shapes, sizes, abilities and temperament.

You can learn a lot from google, as long as you know how to filter.

I tend to agree, particularly as doctors know I'm American and we're known for lots of surgeries. I had a diagnostic procedure earlier this year in CH and the doctor and I wound up with a miscommunication due to language and culture.

After the diagnostic, I thought the doc said the only solution is a full operation. He thought I wanted a full operation and therefore offered it as a solution. Thankfully my husband was at the follow-up appointment. He started asking questions in German and figured out that the doctor and I had completely misunderstood each other.

A good article about brain injuries

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/integ...192366592-jY7d