Reams of research point to the same finding: physicians looking at the same thing will disagree with each other, or even with themselves, from 10 percent to 50 percent of the time during virtually every aspect of the medical-care process from taking a medical history to doing a physical examination, reading a laboratory test, performing a pathological diagnosis and recommending a treatment.

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The surgeon will evaluate the part of your body that you want treated, and you'll share your medical history, list any medications you're taking, and discuss your desires and expectations.

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It is impossible to make an exact prediction, especially without knowing the exact details of his medical history, but my many years of experience taking care of people in their eighth decade tells me that he has little reserve, that stress is a major factor, and that things can go south in a hurry.

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In January 2012 I was asked whether I was still taking it, after medical trials showed that for those without a history of heart disease or stroke, aspirin was more likely to do harm rather than good.

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