USA Today reports that in many cases, doctors recommend surgeries to get extra money from insurance companies. In other cases, doctors don't have the training to recognize when a surgical procedure can be avoided.
Six common surgeries that are often done unnecessarily are cardiac angioplasty, cardiac pacemakers, back surgery, hysterectomy, knee and hip replacement, and cesarean section.
Health officials say these surgeries often take place because patients aren't inclined to question their doctor's judgment.
