Cleared by cardiologist but denied for BBL after ventricular septal defect diagnosis, what might cause difference in opinion?

Thank you for your question. I understand that this situation can be confusing. Differences in medical opinions can occur for several reasons, especially when it comes to procedures like surgery under general anesthesia:

Different risk thresholds: Each doctor or healthcare system may have its own criteria for what is considered “safe” for surgery. Even if your cardiologist cleared you, the anesthesiologist may be using stricter guidelines to minimize any potential complications during anesthesia.

Type of anesthesia and surgery: A Brazilian butt lift involves general anesthesia, fluid shifts, and sometimes prolonged positioning, all of which can put extra stress on the heart. Even a small ventricular septal defect (VSD) may increase risk in certain surgical contexts, depending on your heart function, defect size, and the expected fluid changes during surgery.

Local regulations or standards: Anesthesiologists in different countries sometimes follow different protocols or may be more cautious due to medicolegal concerns.

Individual assessment: An anesthesiologist may consider factors such as oxygenation, heart pressure changes, and potential for arrhythmias during surgery. Even if you feel well and are on no medications, they may still see a theoretical risk.

In short, your cardiologist may be evaluating your long-term cardiac health, while the anesthesiologist is evaluating your immediate surgical safety under anesthesia. These are slightly different perspectives, which can explain the difference in opinions.

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A ventricular septal defect (VSD) does increase the risk of complications when going under general anesthesia. A variety of factors can cause a difference of opinion about whether putting you under is worth the risk, including the anesthesiologist’s experience with VSD, the equipment available to the anesthesiologist, and the distance from the plastic surgery clinic to the nearest hospital.
You can continue to search for an anesthesiologist who is willing to clear you despite your VSD. Another option is to look for a plastic surgeon who is capable of and willing to perform your BBL under local anesthetic and sedation. This eliminates the need for general anesthesia, potentially making the BBL procedure safer for you.

It is always a question of safety. When a medical professional, in this case anesthesiologyst, does not feel comfortable to provide service, you as a patient should respect that as a part of your safety protocol. Evaluation of this kind can depend not only on personal ability but also on given circumstances; if something unpredictable happens during general anesthesia. Some other anesthesiologist and surgical team may be quite comfortable to perform BBL with your medical condition; keep searching and consider doing surgery in Canada? Hope this helps.

Hi! Thanks for your question. The anesthesiologist in Colombia might have denied clearance due to the unique risks associated with your ventricular septal defect (VSD). Even if asymptomatic, VSD can increase the risk of complications under general anesthesia, especially during surgeries like BBL, which can involve fluid shifts and embolism risks. Their decision may stem from stricter protocols or concerns over monitoring capabilities in their setting compared to Canada. Seeking a second opinion or discussing your medical history with the anesthesiologist may help clarify.