Hi... happy to answer any questions about my work here if this sorta thing interests you.

Depends on the procedure. Orthopedic surgery in the USA is pretty fast to get. Getting an MRI approved when compared to, say Japan, takes forever.

48yo alpinist who climbs 5.12+ here. I'm constantly injured. If you're not doing regular training for injury prevention it will come back to bite you in your 50's or 60's and you will not have the framework to navigate the injury without further fitness loss and a downward spiral of capabilities.