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Did you talk to the service provider/hospital before getting sued? Ideally you should've been able to work out a payment schedule with them before things got to this point...it might not be too late to negotiate a settlement. I don't know if a lawyer is really an option for you, especially since the cost of a lawyer is going to approach the cost of the debt you have. Failing a lawyer, I'd say the best thing to do is to show up to court prepared. Dress nice. Speak respectfully. Tell the judge you want to pay your debt (talking to the hospital first and trying to work things out would help here). Have all your facts in order - this is what I make, these are my expenses, this is my savings and assets, etc. State your case quickly and concisely.
I very much doubt the fact that the surgery didn't help will have any weight with the judge whatsoever, but it's possible I'm mistaken - this is one of the things a lawyer would help with.
Good luck.
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