But already, these procedures have allowed many people too old or frail for anoperation to get help for problems that otherwise would likely kill them.
So its decision to get involved in Mali, anoperation Hollande said "will last as long as necessary, " underlies the seriousness of France's concern about the situation there.
After saying in August that anoperation would help him "get back to my best", Gay underwent "minor" surgery on Friday on both sides of his groin in Philadelphia.