What I've learned in my nearly 80 yrs. on earth is that doctors are as variable as cats. Gone are the days when doctors were gods to be listened to and never questioned. Now we're in charge of our own health and that means working closely with doctors we trust and looking for the right fit if a certain doctor doesn't fit our needs. I'd never trust a doctor who didn't encourage a second opinion. I do tend to trust a doctor who brings that up him/herself and welcomes it. We're in difficult territory here and we need the best advice we can get. Doctors who discuss their patients with other doctors and work with a team are more likely to reach consensus about what should be done. That said, I believe 3.5 is considered pretty low risk. The right thing to do, as I understand it, is to wait until it reaches 5.0. It may never reach that and you may never need surgery at all. When I was first diagnosed a year ago, I asked about going ahead with surgery now and was told all the reasons why I should wait. Depending on the available funding for medical research, more patient-friendly surgical options may be developed in the future. We're all scared. I worry about every twinge and try not to let anxiety overtake me, but we're all doing the best we can. Don't suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor and tell him how you feel. Mind is as important as matter.