Two years ago I saw my husband go through a bad orthopedic surgery. The surgeon and the anesthesiologist *both* screwed up. His recover was rougher than it should have been, and he had to have a second surgery to fix the surgeon's mistake (and guess who paid the bill for that? Hint: it wasn't the surgeon). He's fine now, but it is not an experience that either one of us ever wish to repeat. After that experience I view surgery as a "last resort" option.

If you want a medical opinion from someone who can be financially objective, go to another doctor for a second opinion. This is a totally normal, in-bounds, "done" thing. Your current doctor won't think less of you. I went for a second opinion once on a prescription. My insurance paid for the visit, and I ended up switching doctors because I liked my new doctor so much better.