CYRx MD

The 6 most expensive surgeries in America are all transplants — with price tags most people can’t even imagine before insurance.

Heart. Liver. Bone marrow. Double lung. Intestinal. Pancreas. (All transplant surgeries)

Complex procedures like these require elite surgical teams, scarce donor organs, and lifelong follow-up care. That’s why the costs are so high.

Which number shocked you the most? Drop it below 👇

Save this for the next time you talk to your doctor about a major procedure.

Dear younger me,

I’m sorry I made you study for 8 years, and then train for 8 more.

I’m sorry I made you miss your 20s — and miss sleep, family, friends, and connection.

I hope you can see it clearly now…
It was never about taking the easy road.

It was about becoming the person I’m proud of today — the surgeon who gets to stand in the OR, restore hope, and give people their lives back.

- Dr Steven Cyr | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | 📍Houston and San Antonio

To anyone still in the middle of the grind: your future self is already grateful.

What would you tell your younger self right now? Drop it below 👇

Q&A with Board-Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Dr Steven Cyr:

Doc, do you feel that prayer actually works before surgery?

Doctoral-level careers full of purpose… but the paycheck often tells a different story 😔

Here are 8 respected healthcare professions ranked from lowest to highest national median salary:

1. Audiologist (AuD) — $92,120�Help people hear and balance better. Massive quality-of-life impact and rewarding patient relationships. Reality: Lower median in the doctoral group with real student debt and big pay variation by setting.

2. Clinical Psychologist (PsyD/PhD) — $94,310�Deep mental health work — therapy, trauma, anxiety, and depression care. Incredibly meaningful. Reality: High emotional labor + significant debt. Insurance reimbursement often limits earnings.

3. Occupational Therapist (OTD) — $98,340�Help patients regain independence in daily life after injury or illness. Extremely fulfilling. Reality: Similar debt-to-pay story as PT. Many love the work but feel the financial return is modest.

4. Physical Therapist (DPT) — $101,020�Restore movement, reduce pain, and get people back to life and sport. Reality: Strong purpose, but high debt ($150k–$200k+) and new-grad pay that doesn’t always match the doctorate requirement.

5. Veterinarian (DVM) — $125,510�Care for animals + emotional support for owners. A true passion project for most. Reality: Often high debt ($200k–$300k+) relative to pay, especially in general practice.

6. Optometrist (OD) — $134,830�Primary eye care, vision correction, and disease detection. Great lifestyle for many. Reality: Solid median, but still a doctorate with meaningful (not surgical-level) compensation.

7. Pharmacist (PharmD) — $137,480�Medication experts who counsel patients and catch dangerous interactions. Reality: Retail and corporate settings have driven burnout and slower pay growth despite heavy debt loads.

8. Podiatrist (DPM) — $152,800�Foot, ankle, and lower extremity care (including surgery for many). Highest earner on this list. Reality: Still requires a doctorate + residency, but pay better reflects the procedural work.

Salaries are national medians and vary widely by location, experience, and practice setting. Student debt is significant across most of these fields.

Which one surprised you most? Did you ever consider any of these paths? Drop your thoughts below 👇

UPDATE: 5-Level Cervical Fusion:
(One Year of Hope & Healing)

A year ago, this patient was exhausted, defeated, and holding on to her last bit of hope while facing the challenges of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Today, she’s living a life she once only dreamed of — and her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible.

From the patient:

“A year ago, the life I’m living today felt impossible. I was exhausted, defeated, and holding on to my last bit of hope.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome had taken so much from me, and I wasn’t sure I would ever get this version of myself back.

I’m forever grateful for SASpine, Dr. Cyr, his PA, the nurses, physical therapists, and my family and friends who walked this journey with me. Because of them - and because of God’s faithfulness — I get to celebrate a milestone I once only dreamed about.

One year down. A lifetime ahead.” ~M. Moncus

We are deeply moved by her strength and resilience. Her journey is a powerful reminder that healing is possible — even after complex spine surgery and with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

If you or someone you love is facing spine challenges or an EDS diagnosis, please know there is hope.

— SASpine | Board-Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | Dr. Steven Cyr | 📍Houston & San Antonio

The highest compliment in medicine is when a patient says, “You were recommended to me.”

Trust isn’t built in the operating room. It’s built one patient, one conversation, and one honest outcome at a time.

In spine surgery, the scalpel is only part of the equation. The real work happens in the quiet moments — listening, explaining, and earning the kind of trust that people pass on to the ones they love.

To every patient who has ever recommended me: thank you. Your trust is the greatest honor.

- Dr. Steven Cyr | Orthopedic Spine
Surgeon | 📍San Antonio & Houston

If this resonates with you, drop a ❤️ or share your thoughts below.

Most physicians are taught one path to income.

But in 2026, the highest earners in medicine are quietly building multiple streams — and some of these side opportunities are paying surprisingly well.

We break down the realistic earning ranges for 10 physician side income options in this Reel (locums, expert witness, device consulting, and more).

As a spine surgeon, I’ve seen colleagues use these to create more freedom, reduce burnout, and build wealth outside the OR.

- Dr. Steven Cyr | Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | 📍Houston and San Antonio

Which one are you most curious about? Drop it in the comments 👇

Save this for when you’re ready to explore what’s possible.