The National Center for Health Statistics of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control noted that over 40 million elective medical procedures are performed every year, and the number seems to be growing. Elective procedures are those surgeries and treatments that are planned, non-emergency procedures that allow for a better quality of life for patients. These elective procedures may make an impact on national health care costs, so it's important to understand which procedures are elective medical procedures and which are medically necessary, spontaneous emergency procedures.
Plastic Surgery
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons noted in its 2008 annual report that 12.1 million elective plastic surgery procedures were completed that year, a three-percent increase from the year before. As Hollywood stars and an increasingly appearance-driven society teaches that if you don't like something about your looks you should simply change them, millions flock to their plastic surgeon's office for breast enhancement, face lifts, liposuction and other alterations in their quest for the perfect face and body.
Refractive Surgery
Those who have less-than-perfect eyesight often choose to get refractive surgery, which is an elective laser eye surgery that they can get in order to improve their sight. While some may have exceptionally bad eyesight, most often it is corrected by lenses, making laser eye surgery a planned, non-emergency procedure that has been undergone by about eight million people in the United States, according to eyesight website AllAboutVision.com.
Gynecological Surgery
While sometimes medically necessary for a woman's reproductive health, gynecological surgery like a hysterectomy or tubal ligation will be performed on a planned basis, with a doctor scheduling the procedure for the woman, either because she hopes to become sterilized or because it will affect her health in some way. These are rarely emergency procedures.
Exploratory Surgery
Often when a doctor or team of doctors needs more information about a condition, they will perform exploratory or diagnostic surgery to retrieve tissue samples, run cameras to have a closer look, or perform a biopsy to determine if a mass is cancerous. These exploratory surgeries are often done on an outpatient basis.
Cardiovascular Surgery
Those who suffer from high blood pressure or have had problems with heart attack or stroke may have a pacemaker put in, or have angioplasty performed to improve the function of their hearts. This type of surgery is usually known about far in advance as a cardiologist can note when a patient might have a heart problem in the future.
Musculoskeletal System Surgery
As humans age, their bones and joints tend to become less functional. After years of use, certain bones and joins, namely the hip and shoulder, can become worn and painful. Hip replacement surgery is fairly common in the United States, with the hip joint being replaced with a metal implant to simulate the function of the hip. This is planned and carried out via a scheduled surgery.
