# Would you get the surgery? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037 "2017-07-24T15:56:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/1 "2017-07-24T15:56:28Z")
So let’s say you’ve been in an accident that has left you paraplegic. The doctor has an experimental surgery that may allow you to walk and function normally but the surgery has a 50% chance of killing you. Would you do it? If not how bad off do you have to be to say yes? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/2 "2017-07-24T16:01:38Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > So let’s say you’ve been in an accident that has left you paraplegic. The doctor has an experimental surgery that may allow you to walk and function normally but the surgery has a 50% chance of killing you. Would you do it? If not how bad off do you have to be to say yes? Yes, I’d take those odds to be able to walk (and presumably other things) again. Not that I don’t think I could live if I couldn’t walk, and that there seem to be some alternatives out there coming soon (exoskeleton suits for paraplegics seem to be on the horizon), but I’d still take the chance. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/3 "2017-07-24T16:04:01Z")
Absolutely. I’d prefer death over many deteriorations in quality of life. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/4 "2017-07-24T16:08:01Z")
Yes. If I was younger I’d consider the possibility that other options would eventually be available. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/5 "2017-07-24T16:29:27Z")
Nope. I want to live more than I want to be able to walk. Being in a wheelchair will be an inconvenience, but it won’t completely stop me from doing most of what I want to do. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/6 "2017-07-24T16:45:01Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > So let’s say you’ve been in an accident that has left you paraplegic. The doctor has an experimental surgery that may allow you to walk and function normally but the surgery has a 50% chance of killing you. Would you do it? If not how bad off do you have to be to say yes? If I should assume the outcome odds are 50% I get to walk and function normally and 50% I leave the OR feet first, yeah definitely. If instead the odds are more like 50% I die, 15% I survive but the operation doesn’t work, 15% I survive and regain some functionality but significantly short of full recovery, and 20% I get full functionality, umm, hmm, _squirm_ probably but with less enthusiasm. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/7 "2017-07-24T17:02:25Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Nope. > > I want to live more than I want to be able to walk. Being in a wheelchair will be an inconvenience, but it won’t completely stop me from doing most of what I want to do. Yay! I agree with Broomstick on something 🙂 Of course this. 50% chance that you die? no way! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/8 "2017-07-24T17:32:30Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Nope. > > I want to live more than I want to be able to walk. Being in a wheelchair will be an inconvenience, but it won’t completely stop me from doing most of what I want to do. I agree. I’d rather live a full life without walking, than have no life at all (and hope they improve the surgery!). ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/9 "2017-07-24T17:46:50Z")
I assume my wife and children wouldn’t want to gamble my life on a coin flip so nope. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/10 "2017-07-24T18:03:51Z")
I think you set up the ideal situation. Life numbing situation with the risk of ending it all vs full restoration. On first breath I’d say most would opt for the miracle treatment. But disability does go through cycles and is very hard at first, but some seem to have overcome this initial state and seem to love life to the point that they may not opt for such a risk. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/11 "2017-07-24T18:22:06Z")
No, wouldn’t take the risk. (But then, I spent six yrs caring for someone bedridden. Life isn’t all about the limbs, I’m certain.) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/12 "2017-07-24T18:54:18Z")
No. The most important things in my life don’t require walking. I’m sure it would be a huge emotional and pragmatic adjustment, but not one worth risking my life for. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/13 "2017-07-24T19:07:26Z")
No I wouldn’t. That’s too much risk. I could still have a full life in a wheelchair. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/14 "2017-07-24T19:12:08Z")
Who’s paying for it? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/15 "2017-07-24T19:39:49Z")
For me it would depend on how high up the paralysis goes. If only the legs were affected no. If I were quad, yes I would take the chance. If I couldn’t even speak, definitely. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/16 "2017-07-24T19:45:26Z")
Much as I love hiking and bicycling, and how much these activities are a part of my identity, if I were paraplegic, I wouldn’t take a 50-50 chance of winding up dead in order to get my legs back. First of all, I love my wife and son, and abandoning them in any way is right out. Not to mention, I want to see the Firebug grow up. And even if they were out of the picture, life has a great deal to offer that doesn’t rely on being ambulatory. I plan on enjoying the years to come, regardless of whether I can walk. _And if I ever lose my legs, I won’t moan, and I won’t beg…_ ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/17 "2017-07-24T19:50:17Z")
No surgery. People with all sorts of levels of paralysis and other handicaps live rich, fulfilled lives. Hell maybe it would make me a better person in some way, even. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/18 "2017-07-24T19:51:12Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Absolutely. I’d prefer death over many deteriorations in quality of life. This^ Without question, I’m in. There’s a lot of things worse than death and I, personally, assume/imagine that being paraplegic would be one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/19 "2017-07-24T20:10:28Z")
You bet. I live in a 2nd-floor walkup, so a wheelchair wouldn’t work for me. More seriously, I’m diabetic, and I feel like I’ve already lived a full life. Over the next couple decades, I’m looking at a possibly horrific medical deterioration, and 50% chance of a clean ending now is actually one of the better ways for me to end up going. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037/20 "2017-07-24T20:11:40Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > This^ > > Without question, I’m in. There’s a lot of things worse than death and I, personally, assume/imagine that being paraplegic would be one of them. I think you’d find a number of disabled people who disagree. What exactly does that imply about _their_ lives? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-get-the-surgery/792037.md?page=2)