If you think you’ll glide through life without ever needing a doctor, you’re probably living in a fantasy novel. The truth is that every human eventually bumps into a health snag—whether it’s a minor scrape or a full‑blown emergency. Even the healthiest among us will, at some point, call on a professional medical procedure. In this roundup we’ll highlight ten of the most out‑there, jaw‑dropping treatments that sound like pure fiction but are, in fact, very real. These are the “10 medical procedures” that will make you question what you thought was possible.

Why These 10 Medical Procedures Matter

10 A Bogota Bag Involves Sewing a Urine Bag Over an Open Wound

Imagine a surgeon reaching for a sterile urine collection bag and turning it into a life‑saving shield. That’s exactly what the Bogota Bag does: it acts as a makeshift cover for a traumatic opening in the stomach or abdominal cavity. The technique originated in Bogotá, Colombia, and earned its name because it was first employed there on patients whose guts literally burst open after severe injury or complex surgeries.

When a surgeon confronts a massive abdominal wound, they have a few options—mesh grafts, internal packing, or direct suturing—but each carries a risk of infection or further tearing. The Bogota Bag offers a simpler, safer alternative: a sterile plastic sheet, often the kind used for urine collection, is cut open, draped over the exposed organs, and then meticulously sewn to the surrounding skin, creating a temporary barrier that keeps the wound clean and protected.

This makeshift “plastic flap” provides the body with precious time to heal while preventing external contaminants from entering the cavity. It also allows doctors to monitor the wound without having to constantly re‑open it, buying critical hours—sometimes days—until a more permanent repair can be performed. In short, the Bogota Bag is a clever, low‑tech solution that saves lives when high‑tech options are too risky.

9 Rectal Prolapses Can Be Treated With Sugar

Few medical terms inspire as much cringe as “rectal prolapse,” the uncomfortable condition where the rectum slips out of its usual position and protrudes through the anus. While surgery is the gold‑standard fix for chronic cases, a surprisingly simple home remedy exists for a one‑off episode: granulated sugar.

When the prolapse can’t be coaxed back in gently with a gloved finger, a doctor may advise sprinkling the exposed tissue with ordinary white sugar. The sugar acts like a desiccant, drawing moisture away from the delicate mucosa. By drying the tissue, the swelling subsides, making the protruding segment shrink enough to be nudged back into place without causing further trauma.

Because sugar is non‑toxic and readily available, the method offers a low‑risk, do‑it‑yourself bridge between the onset of symptoms and professional medical care. It’s a quirky, yet evidence‑backed, stop‑gap that can spare patients from an unnecessary trip to the operating room—provided the prolapse isn’t severe or recurrent.

8 Osteo‑Odonto‑Keratoprosthesis Involves Sewing a Blind Patient’s Tooth Onto Their Eyeball

When traditional corneal transplants fail, doctors sometimes turn to an astonishingly literal solution: a patient’s own tooth becomes the centerpiece of a new, artificial eye surface. This intricate operation, known as osteo‑odonto‑keratoprosthesis (or OOKP), essentially stitches a harvested tooth, complete with a small plastic lens, onto the eye’s surface.

First, a dentist extracts a healthy tooth and drills a tiny chamber into it. Inside that cavity, a custom‑shaped acrylic lens is placed. The tooth‑lens combo is then implanted into a pocket created in the patient’s cheek, allowing blood vessels and tissue to grow around it, establishing a robust blood supply. Next, oral mucosa is harvested and used to line the eye, after which the tooth‑lens assembly is carefully sewn onto the corneal defect, effectively acting as a new, transparent window.

The result? Patients who were once completely blind can regain functional vision, sometimes achieving 20/20 acuity. Though the procedure sounds like something out of a sci‑fi horror flick, it offers a lifeline for those whose corneas have been ravaged by disease, injury, or repeated transplant failures.

7 Laser Surgery Can Turn Brown Eyes Blue

Laser eye surgery has long been celebrated for correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but a lesser‑known off‑shoot of the technology targets something far more aesthetic: eye color. For individuals with brown irises, a specialized laser can vaporize the pigment‑laden layer of the iris, leaving a clear, colorless window that reveals the underlying blue hue.

The procedure, performed in a single, swift session, takes only a few seconds to burn away the melanin. However, the full effect doesn’t become visible until a couple of weeks later, as the eye heals and the new color settles. It’s worth noting that this technique isn’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so patients must travel abroad—often to clinics in South America or Asia—to undergo it.

Another, more invasive option involves implanting a custom‑made silicone iris prosthesis. While this method can permanently change eye color, it carries significant risks, including inflammation, glaucoma, and potential vision loss. Both approaches highlight the lengths some will go to achieve a new look, even when it means altering one of the body’s most defining features.

6 InstaBreasts or Vacation Breasts Give a Patient Bigger Breasts for a Day

Breast augmentation is a staple of cosmetic surgery, with roughly 300,000 procedures performed annually in the United States alone, averaging around $4,500 per surgery. Yet not everyone is ready to commit to a permanent change. Enter InstaBreasts, also dubbed “Vacation Breasts,” a fleeting alternative that simulates the look of implants for just 24 hours.

During the InstaBreasts session, a surgeon injects a sterile saline solution directly into the breast tissue, causing it to swell dramatically. The result is an immediate, noticeable increase in size that mimics the effect of traditional implants. After a full day, the body naturally reabsorbs the saline, and the excess fluid is expelled, returning the breasts to their original state.

Because the procedure is temporary, the price tag reflects its short‑term nature—typically ranging from $2,500 to $3,500. It offers a risk‑free way for patients to “test drive” larger breasts before deciding whether to invest in permanent implants, or simply enjoy a day of amplified confidence without long‑term commitment.

5 Rotationplasty Turns Your Foot Into Your Knee

When a malignant tumor strikes the knee area of a child, surgeons sometimes resort to a radical yet remarkably functional operation called rotationplasty. The procedure involves excising the diseased portion of the femur and tibia, then rotating the lower leg 180 degrees before reattaching it to the remaining thigh bone.

In this upside‑down configuration, the ankle assumes the role of a new knee joint, while the foot points backward, effectively becoming the “foot‑hand” of the reconstructed limb. After the bone is secured, a specialized prosthetic attaches to the ankle‑now‑knee, enabling the patient to walk, run, and even engage in sports with a surprisingly natural gait.

Although the visual outcome can be startling at first glance, rotationplasty offers a functional advantage over above‑knee amputation: patients retain active control of the joint, experience fewer energy losses, and often report higher satisfaction and quality of life. It’s a prime example of surgical ingenuity turning a dire diagnosis into a manageable, active future.

4 EPR Involves Removing a Patient’s Blood and Replacing It with Cold Saline

Emergency Preservation and Resuscitation (EPR) reads like a plot twist from a sci‑fi thriller, but it’s a genuine medical technique designed to buy critical time for patients who have suffered catastrophic trauma. By inducing profound hypothermia, doctors can essentially pause the body’s metabolic clock, extending the window for life‑saving surgery.

During EPR, a patient’s blood is swapped out for a chilled saline solution, cooling the core temperature to a frigid 10 °C–15 °C (50 °F–59 °F). This drastic drop slows cellular activity, especially in the brain and vital organs, reducing oxygen demand and preventing irreversible damage. The process can stretch the survivable period from a few frantic minutes to up to two hours—a monumental gain when dealing with severe hemorrhage or cardiac arrest.

After the surgical repair is completed, the patient’s blood is re‑infused, and their temperature is gradually raised back to normal. First attempted on a human in 2019, EPR remains a cutting‑edge, highly specialized intervention reserved for the most dire emergencies, where conventional resuscitation offers only a 5% chance of survival.

3 Defecography Requires You To Get an X‑Ray While You Poop

When doctors need to peer into the mechanics of a patient’s bowel movements, they turn to a specialized imaging test called defecography. Unlike standard X‑rays that capture static snapshots, defecography records the act of defecation itself, offering a dynamic view of how the rectum, pelvic floor, and surrounding muscles coordinate.

To make the process visible on imaging, patients are given a barium‑based paste that mimics the consistency of stool. Once the rectum is filled, the individual sits on a specially designed scanning toilet and, well, does their business while a series of radiographic images are captured. The resulting footage reveals any abnormalities—such as rectocele, intussusception, or pelvic floor dyssynergia—that might be causing chronic constipation or incontinence.

By visualizing the entire evacuation sequence, physicians can pinpoint the exact source of dysfunction and tailor treatments ranging from biofeedback therapy to surgical correction. Though the idea of being X‑rayed while you poop can feel a bit mortifying, the diagnostic payoff often outweighs the embarrassment.

2 The Krukenberg Procedure Can Turn Your Forearm into a Pincer

If a traumatic accident results in the loss of a hand, the most common recourse is a prosthetic device. However, when financial constraints or lack of access make prosthetics unattainable, surgeons sometimes employ a century‑old technique known as the Krukenberg procedure, which transforms the forearm into a functional pincer.

During the operation, the radius and ulna—the two bones of the forearm—are surgically separated and fashioned into two distinct, claw‑like extensions. These “fingers” retain the skin, nerve endings, and blood supply of the original forearm, granting the patient a degree of tactile sensation that most prosthetic hands cannot replicate.

Although the resulting grip lacks the finesse of a natural hand, the procedure offers a pragmatic solution for individuals who need to perform basic tasks—like gripping tools or holding objects—especially in occupations where tactile feedback is crucial. It remains a rare, but life‑changing, option for those who cannot otherwise afford or access modern prosthetic technology.

1 Pokertox Is a Botox Procedure to Hide a Gambler’s Tells

Botox is widely known for smoothing wrinkles, but a niche off‑shoot called Pokertox takes the injectable a step further by freezing the facial muscles that betray a gambler’s emotions. The concept hinges on the classic “poker face”: a player who can conceal joy, fear, or disappointment gains a strategic edge.

In a Pokertox session, a cosmetic surgeon administers minute doses of botulinum toxin into the frontalis, corrugator, and other expressive muscles of the forehead and eyebrows. The result is a deliberately “frozen” visage—smooth, unreactive, and almost statue‑like—making it far more difficult for opponents to read micro‑expressions during high‑stakes games.

While the scientific community debates the efficacy of such a targeted facial freeze for competitive advantage, the procedure has carved out a small, enthusiastic market among professional poker players and high‑roller gamblers seeking any legal edge they can afford.

2020 is finally winding down, and after a roller‑coaster of catastrophic headlines, the finale feels like a sigh of relief. While the year was riddled with COVID‑19, contested elections, raging wildfires, and fresh conflicts, it wasn’t a complete disaster. In fact, amid the chaos, several bright spots emerged that proved humanity can still pull off remarkable feats.

Below we unpack the ten most uplifting developments that reminded us 2020 had its share of silver linings. These moments range from life‑saving medical breakthroughs to historic peace accords, and even heart‑warming stories of rescued pups. Let’s dive in and see why the year wasn’t an absolute dumpster fire.

Top 10 Reasons 2020 Wasn’t a Total Dumpster Fire

10 19 Vaccines Were Developed

COVID‑19 slammed the globe into a standstill, forcing nations to shutter businesses and impose stay‑at‑home orders. By December, the virus had claimed over 1.5 million lives out of more than 67 million infections worldwide, reshaping economies and daily routines.

Massive financial and scientific resources were redirected toward a single goal: a vaccine. Although widespread distribution wouldn’t begin until the following year, the sheer speed of development was unprecedented, signaling a turning point in the pandemic fight.

By the end of 2020, two front‑runners—Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna—had reported efficacy rates of roughly 90 % and 94.1 % respectively. Other candidates, such as AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Novavax, were still navigating Phase 3 trials, adding to the hopeful pipeline.

On December 8, 2021‑year‑old Margaret Keenan became the world’s first recipient of the Pfizer vaccine, marking a historic moment that foreshadowed billions of future inoculations and a decisive blow against the virus.

9 A Possible Control For Malaria Was Discovered

Malaria remains one of the planet’s deadliest diseases, with roughly half of humanity residing in regions where transmission risk is high. In 2016 alone, the disease generated about 216 million clinical cases, resulting in 445 000 deaths.

The World Health Organization estimated that 90 % of those fatalities occurred in the African region, underscoring the continent’s disproportionate burden.

Control strategies have spanned from pesticide spraying to genetically modified mosquitoes, each aiming to curb the vector population and interrupt transmission cycles.

In May 2020, a collaborative team of Kenyan and British researchers unveiled a promising discovery: a microbe called Microsporidia MB that renders mosquitoes incapable of harboring malaria parasites.

This breakthrough could pave the way for a novel, biologically based malaria control method, with ongoing research seeking to transform the finding into a practical, field‑ready intervention.

8 The #MeToo Movement Scored A Huge Victory

The #MeToo movement, which first appeared on MySpace in 2006, finally clinched a landmark win in 2020 when the Harvey Weinstein saga culminated in a criminal conviction.

Activist Alyssa Milano urged women to tweet #MeToo, emphasizing the sheer scale of harassment. Her call amplified the conversation, thrusting the movement into mainstream discourse.

In February, Weinstein received a 23‑year prison sentence, a verdict many had deemed impossible years earlier. The conviction sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond.

The charges stemmed from a 2013 hotel rape and a 2006 forced oral sex incident. While not all allegations led to additional convictions, the sentencing represented a monumental triumph for survivors and a warning to powerful abusers.

7 Africa Was Declared Free Of Wild Polio

Most Western nations stopped thinking about polio after its eradication in 1979, but the virus lingered in parts of the world where vaccination campaigns faced obstacles.

Countries such as Nigeria saw spikes in cases, with 2006 recording 1 100 infections. While wild poliovirus still circulates in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Africa finally achieved freedom from the disease.

Dr. Jonas Salk introduced the injectable polio vaccine in 1952, and by 1961 an oral version became widely available, dramatically reducing incidence in developed nations.

Campaigns led by figures like Nelson Mandela, who championed the “Kick Polio Out of Africa” drive in 1996, helped immunize millions. By 2020, the continent celebrated the eradication of wild poliovirus, a testament to decades of perseverance.

6 Sudan Finally Achieved Peace

Sudan endured a protracted series of conflicts rooted in ethnic, cultural, and religious divisions, as well as power struggles. The civil war that erupted in 1983 officially concluded in 2005, yet violence persisted for years.

From 1989 to 2019, the nation was ruled by dictator Omar al‑Bashir, whose regime was marked by severe human‑rights violations and sponsorship of terrorism.

The Darfur conflict alone claimed between 300 000 and 400 000 lives, while Sharia law governed daily life until the regime’s collapse.

Following Bashir’s ouster, a transitional secular government emerged. By August 2020, major factions—including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement‑North, two Darfur groups, and a southern coalition—signed a preliminary peace accord.

After decades of bloodshed, Sudan entered a new era of democratic governance, with peace finally taking root across the nation.

5 Multiple Successes In Israeli‑Arab Peace

Despite relentless criticism, the Trump administration brokered two historic normalization agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbors in 2020.

Since the 1994 Israel‑Jordan treaty, no Arab nation had formally normalized relations with Israel. Egypt’s 1979 agreement remained the last precedent for over two decades.

On August 13, 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Israel signed the Abraham Accords, marking the third Arab state to establish formal ties with Israel.

Just a month later, Bahrain followed suit, sealing its own agreement with Israel on September 15, 2020. Both deals were mediated by the United States.

Negotiations continue as several other regional powers—including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia—have yet to formalize relations with Israel, but the momentum suggests further breakthroughs may be on the horizon.

4 The Falkland Islands Were Declared Landmine‑Free

The 1982 Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina, lasting ten weeks, left a legacy of landmines scattered across the islands and the South Sandwich archipelago.

Landmines are notoriously indiscriminate, continuing to maim civilians long after hostilities cease. Decades after the conflict, roughly 30 000 mines remained buried on the Falklands.

International treaties have since outlawed the use of such devices, yet many remnants persisted. A 1998 treaty mandated their removal, prompting a painstaking, hand‑delivered de‑mining campaign.

Operations persisted for nearly four decades, with specialist teams clearing fields by field until October 2020.

In October, the final site at Gypsy Cove was cleared, officially rendering the Falkland Islands mine‑free for the first time since 1982, allowing unrestricted public access to previously hazardous beaches.

3 Dog Adoptions Soared, Thanks To COVID

The pandemic’s isolation paradoxically sparked a wave of compassion, as shelter adoptions surged across the United States.

People confined to their homes discovered they had the time and emotional bandwidth to welcome a canine companion, prompting both breeders and shelters to experience unprecedented demand.

Some shelters reported a doubling of daily adoptions. For example, the Los Angeles SPCA recorded ten to thirteen adoptions per day in late June, and many shelters found their animal inventories dwindling to the point of waiting lists for prospective owners.

2 We Found Ways To Adapt And Overcome

COVID‑19 upended daily life, but humanity proved remarkably resilient, devising new ways to thrive amid restrictions.

Remote work, once a rarity, became the global norm, reshaping corporate culture and likely persisting beyond the pandemic. Simultaneously, drive‑in movie theaters and concerts revived, offering safe entertainment alternatives.

Manufacturers pivoted production lines: companies that usually made spirits turned to hand‑sanitizer, while others fabricated masks for worldwide distribution, showcasing rapid, collaborative ingenuity.

These collective adaptations underscored our capacity to confront adversity, turning a health crisis into a catalyst for innovation and community solidarity.

1 The Second‑Largest Ebola Outbreak Ended

While COVID‑19 dominated headlines, the Democratic Republic of Congo wrestled with the second‑largest Ebola outbreak on record, which began in August 2018.

Ebola’s case‑fatality rate far exceeds that of COVID‑19, though it spreads through bodily fluids rather than airborne transmission. The Kivu outbreak infected 3 453 individuals, claiming 2 280 lives.

The World Health Organization, alongside numerous NGOs, mobilized extensive response teams, driving case numbers down to zero by February 2020.

After a brief resurgence of three cases 52 days later, the outbreak finally ceased in June 2020, marking the end of a two‑year nightmare.

Since the 2014‑2016 West African outbreak, which caused over 11 000 deaths, the rVSV‑ZEBOV vaccine has proven 97.5 % effective, offering a powerful tool to prevent future epidemics despite distribution challenges.