The same 'word' fits the blanks.

A _______ surgeon was ___________ to operate because there was __________.

I am sure he had "a belt on."

Leonard hints at the standard answer, but I think "hip" would also work.

A clue is called for.

It is the same word (or exact combination of letters) that fit the blanks but the word can be split up, which is why I put word originally I inverted commas.

Good luck to all who have a go.

Neil

Okay, I think I got it!--I'll PM. But if I'm right the puzzle should read:

_______ surgeon was ___________ to operate because there was __________.

Well done Landmark. You got it

But the original wording was correct.

Neil

I now understand leonard's hint, but I have to admit, I can't figure out what Scott is getting at. Scott, are you hinting at the same answer as leonard or a different one?

I was just musing a different answer:

"A hip surgeon was hip to operate because there was hip."

OK, the last phrase really should be "A hip", but it still kind of works. I understood your hint, but just having fun with another one.

A ------- close up magician was ----- to perform because he had ------ .

I think Raven is pointing out that the same answer works very well in his version. At first I thought he was suggestion a new riddle.

Love the magic version! Especially since I wasn't able to solve the puzzle before seeing that.

/Tomas

Yeah, TheRaven's magic version works really well. I didn't solve this one. I gave in and googled it.

The additional clue for the original wording is that the answer contains 7 letters in the same order all three times.

Mark Elsdon came up with a clever way to use this in the context of a magic effect, without the whole thing looking too much like a puzzle as opposed to a magic effect.