I heard that because lasik surgery is generally new, you really can't expect what will happen after the surgery. is this true?

No: Lasik is not considered new anymore. However the technology to perform the procedure is always rapidly evolving. Flap creation with a laser, wavefront, iris registration, etc. Things are always improving, and thus it's important to have a thorough evaluation of your eye health to see if you are a good candidate for the existing technology once your prescription is stable.

Absolutely not: Studies have shown that lasik is safe. It is highly predictable after the surgery. It has been performed for about 20 years. Around 32 million people worldwide have had it. As with any surgery, there are always risks and it is important to know the risks and benefits, but it is important to know that it is very effective.