The 3 Most Common Surgeries Done in the U.S.

There are a large variety of different surgeries. The top 3 most common surgeries in the U.S. are Cataract removal, C-Section, and Joint Replacement. Every year, 3 million people in the U.S. have surgery to remove cataracts (No Author Mentioned). It’s most common among older people. A cataract causes the eye lens to become cloudy which then causes vision problems. “Half of all Americans develop one by the time they're 80 years old” (“General surgery in Chennai”), and the only way to remove a cataract is by surgery. “During the operation, the surgeon removes the lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial one” (Dallas). This allows the person to see more clearly and is a quick, non-painful surgery that you can go straight home after. The surgery costs about $2,300 to $3,000. 

You might have heard of a C-Section before because it is the second most common surgery in the U.S. Each year, 1.3 million women have their babies by C-Section. When you give birth, you don't always have to have a C-Section. “Women with health issues may plan to have a C-section for safety reasons. Others may need a C-section if problems develop during pregnancy, like high blood pressure. Or a problem might develop during delivery” (Dallas). A problem that might develop during surgery is if the position of the baby is not head first towards the vagina, the placenta, or the umbilical cord. A C-Section costs about $13,000. 

The third most common surgery is Joint Replacement. At least a million Americans have Joint Replacement surgery every year. There are many different joints being replaced, such as the knees, shoulders, and ankles. People who have this surgery tend to have arthritis, a condition that causes pain and stiffness to joints and surrounding tissue. “During this operation, the surgeon removes the damaged joint and replaces it with a new, artificial one. The surgeon may replace the entire joint or just part of it” (Dallas). This surgery ranges from $16,500 to $33,000. Overall, surgeries might seem scary, but they are mainly to help you and relieve ongoing pain. 

Written by Malak Ibrahim at Incisionary

APA References

Vinita HealthVinita Health. (2025). General surgery in Chennai. Vinita Health. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://vinitahealth.com/excellence/general-surgery-in-chennai/

Healthgrades

Dallas, M. E. (2021, September 10). The 10 most common surgeries in the U.S. Healthgrades. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/tests-and-procedures/the-10-most-common-surgeries-in-the-u-s