Generally, does avoiding surgeries make for better health?

A statement cannot be said for ALL surgeries for better health, surgeries that can save a person’s life are for the better health.

Not necessary:
Liposuction
Plastic Surgery for face lifts….
Hair plugs

Necessary:
Tumor removal
Aneurysm repair
Bone Setting for broken limbs

The above lists are not an exhaustive lists, the more it is only for appearance, the it is unnecessary.

It really depends a lot on the situation.

There are three factors to consider:

The chance of death without surgery.
The chance of death from the illness after a surgery. (in a case where the surgery is ineffective)
The chance of death from a surgery itself.

The national (US) death rate from surgeries is 1.14%. People tend to overestimate this rate, but it is actually very small compared to most things. Depending on the surgery, this rate may be more or less.

For example, let’s say that you have cancer, and there is a 50% chance of death within a few months. There is a surgery available that will reduce the risk of death to 10%. In addition, there is a 5% chance of death due to the surgery itself. Is this worth the risk?

(100% – 5%) * (100% – 10%) > (100% – 50%)
0.855 > 0.5, so the surgery is worth the risk

Now, the above depends on the fact that the surgery is related to saving your life. If the surgery is cosmetic, then you have to factor in abstract concepts such as quality of life.

Well, if I had avoided my surgery, I’d still be losing 3–5 lbs a week and throwing up 10–15 times a day.

Now, while my food choices have been lessened somewhat and my recreational imbibing has been cut dramatically, I am able to consume normal food without becoming ill and experiencing extreme pain.

Worth the scars.

However, in my husband’s case, he avoided surgery when he injured his knee. Yes, he was basically bedridden for several months, but ultimately he regained use of his knee to the point where he doesn’t even have to avoid the mosh-pit at concerts. For a dude as big as he is and at his age (43), that is a big deal.

Not for the surgeons; they’d starve.

My wife works in the heath field and has done for years. One of her favorite quotes came from a doctor:

“A chance to cut is a chance to maim!”

I have pretty much always had a surgery for this or that when told I needed it and was glad I did. Only once did I ignore a recommendation to have a second back surgery, and to this day I know without question that I made the right decision.

I think not needing surgery makes for better health.
Surgery saved my life.

Avoiding surgery is a good idea when there’s a conflict of interest.

I agree with @LuckyGuy. I try to be cognizant of my physical health and keep up with yearly physicals, blood work, etc… prevention is the key, and with all the staff infections at hospitals, I personally would never consider elective surgery.