The Waiting is the Hardest Part: How Delaying Surgery Impacts Your Health
In this article, you’ll find:
Introduction: The Waiting is the Hardest Part
The Vicious Cycle: How Long Waits Turn Small Problems Into Big Ones
It’s Not Just Physical: The Hidden Mental Health Costs
The late, great Tom Petty knew all about the pain of waiting. While it’s unlikely his chart-topping hit was alluding to Canada’s disastrously long surgical queues, the message still holds true: waiting is hard.
Across Canada, delayed access to surgery is a growing health crisis. As anyone who has waited months–or even years–for surgery will tell you, the emotional and physical toll of living with unresolved symptoms can be overwhelming. This is often magnified by not having a confirmed consultation or surgery date on the calendar. You’re just stuck in limbo, suffering indefinitely.
If you’re new to the waitlist or still trying to see a surgeon, this article will help you understand what delayed access to surgery can really mean for your health. I’ll share a few patient stories based on composite examples from my experience as a family doctor to illustrate how delaying surgery can evolve into far more serious problems.
The Human Cost of Delayed Surgery
More pain, more pills
Jason is a 58-year-old IT consultant who started experiencing lower back pain and numbness down his legs a year ago. After an MRI showed spinal stenosis, he was referred for a laminectomy, but the waitlist is nearly two years long. In the meantime, his pain only worsened, leading to multiple medication trials that brought significant side effects. He eventually needed opioids just to function and is now struggling with opioid dependence and escalating dose increases. He’s still waiting for surgery.
Incontinence kills confidence (and then joy)
Linda is a 54-year-old real estate agent who developed urinary incontinence after menopause. After pelvic floor physiotherapy and medications failed to help, her family doctor referred her to gynecology, but she was told the wait to see a surgeon would be over a year. In the meantime, she’s resorted to wearing pads and diapers, which eroded her self-esteem and made her self-conscious at showings and open houses. Over time, her work performance suffered, she withdrew from her social life, and she began showing signs of depression. She now takes daily antidepressants and puts up with multiple side effects.
Chronic pain puts life on hold
Paul is a 50-year-old construction supervisor who’s worked on job sites for over 20 years. When his right knee pain became unbearable, X-rays confirmed severe osteoarthritis. He was referred for a knee replacement, but was told the wait could be 18 to 24 months. With limited mobility, he went on long-term disability, stopped exercising, gained weight, and now his other knee has started to hurt, too. He’s worried he’s eventually going to need both knees replaced and doubts he will ever be able to return to work at this rate.
The Vicious Cycle: How Long Waits Turn Small Problems Into Big Ones
These patients’ stories illustrate the domino effect that delayed access to surgery can trigger. The longer a condition goes untreated, the more time it has to progressively worsen. Intermittent pain that once responded to over-the-counter medications becomes chronic, daily pain that requires stronger prescription drugs—sometimes even opioids. Minor symptoms evolve into major disruptions, impairing mobility and making it difficult to work, exercise, or even manage daily routines.
You then enter a vicious cycle: limited mobility leads to less physical activity, which contributes to weight gain. That extra weight places more strain on your joints or spine, which worsens the underlying condition—and the feedback loop continues.
As a family doctor, I see cases like these far too often, and most of the time, the diagnosis isn’t complicated. An X-ray may clearly show severe osteoarthritis. A physical exam might reveal a significant pelvic organ prolapse. The solution is usually straightforward: the patient needs surgery.
But with mean surgical wait times now over 222% longer than they were in 1993, Canadian family doctors are increasingly left to manage the fallout. We’re doing our best to support patients through deteriorating health, worsening symptoms, and long-term disability—all while they wait months or even years just to see a specialist.
You don’t have to keep waiting.
It's Not Just Physical: The Hidden Mental Health Costs
As Linda’s story shows, it’s not just physical symptoms that worsen when surgery is delayed—mental health can take a serious hit, too. Chronic pain often brings a cascade of emotional strain, including insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and low mood. These effects are magnified when patients feel powerless or ignored by the healthcare system.
“Among Canadians living with significant chronic pain, 57% report that it contributes to anxiety and depression, and 23% say they experience feelings that “life isn’t worth living.”
And it’s not always about pain. When symptoms are embarrassing—like incontinence—or interfere with daily functioning, people often begin withdrawing from social and professional life. Over time, this loss of confidence and connection can spiral into isolation, depression, and even the need for psychiatric care.
Long Waits for Surgery Can Derail Your Livelihood
For some patients, this vicious cycle becomes so debilitating that they can no longer perform their jobs. I’ve lost count of how many disability applications I’ve submitted for people who can’t work—not because they’re unwilling, but because they’re stuck waiting for surgery.
Going on disability can be financially disruptive. While it offers a safety net in the form of basic income replacement, it often falls far short of what patients earned in their full-time roles. If this happens during a critical life stage—like when your kids are headed to college or you’re preparing for retirement—it can derail major life goals you’ve spent years planning for.
If you’re facing financial strain while you wait for surgery, it’s important to know your options. Learn more about the rules and regulations on paying privately for surgery in Canada.
What You Can Do While You Wait
If you’re stuck on a waitlist, there are still ways to advocate for your health in the meantime. Ask your provider if you can be added to a cancellation list or whether a referral to a specialist in another city might speed things up.
You can also work with your family doctor to manage symptoms, explore physiotherapy, and access mental health support to maintain your strength and resilience.
Depending on your situation, it might also make sense to explore alternatives to public surgery in Canada. See our guide to getting surgery faster in Canada to learn more about your options.
You deserve timely care. We’re here to help.
If you're in pain, unable to work, or feeling like your life is on hold, you shouldn’t have to wait indefinitely for relief. For some patients, exploring private surgical options can be a way to reclaim their health and quality of life. See our guide to understanding private surgery costs in Canada (link ot future blog post).
At Surgency, we connect patients with surgeons who offer shorter wait times and transparent pricing. Whether you're still exploring your options or ready to take the next step, we're here to help you make an informed decision—on your terms, and your timeline.
