I received a bill for my historic kidney stone surgery, of which, I am ecstatic to report, I am only required to pay a very small portion. It cost a lot. Drink water. That's my big advice.
The most surprising bit is the line item for "Recovery Room" which runs to very nearly $3,000. Did you know it cost that much to lie unconscious, drooling blood, in a room with at least ten other unconscious people?
Yeah. Me neither.
If you're on a budget, I think you can just find a flophouse full of junkies and have more or less the same experience for free.