Why I Quit Neurosurgery: A Personal Journey by Dr. Gooby

Background

• Education: MIT (College), 4 years of Medical School, 6 years of Neurosurgery training.
• Career: 10 years as a neurosurgeon.
• Reason for Quitting: Complex and multifaceted, involving personal wellbeing and fulfillment.

Initial Motivation

• Helping People: Primary motivation was to relieve suffering.
• Interest in the Brain: Fascination with brain function and consciousness led to neurosurgery.
• Technological Aspirations: Worked on brain-machine interfaces, like robotic limbs controlled by thoughts.

Realizations in the Field

• Brain-Machine Interfaces: Technical limitations made goals unattainable.
  • Brain rejects small electrodes causing scarring.
• Spine Surgery: Common practice, but surgeries often did not address underlying problems.
  • Many patients experienced temporary relief or no improvement.

Dilemma and Ethical Conflict

• Surgery Limitations: Realization that surgeries were not solving the root cause of patients' issues.
• Medical System Incentives: System focused on treatments (surgery, pills) rather than prevention/healing.
• Emotional Toll: Feeling of moral injury and personal unhappiness, despite external success and good conditions.
• Observations: Patients who improved followed holistic practices:
  • Diet: Low salt, mostly plant-based.
  • Exercise: Activities causing sweating, like hiking.
  • Lifestyle: No smoking, limited alcohol, strong social support, good sleep, low stress.

Decision to Quit

• Personal Health: Gained 40 pounds, extreme unhappiness, and stress.
• Support System: Wife's understanding and support crucial in decision.
• Financial Concerns: Initially a major worry, but they had some savings.
• Final Decision: Worked another 9 months while hospital found a replacement.

Life After Quitting

• Initial Steps: Focused on physical health, lost weight, spent time outdoors with dog, Doobie.
• New Pursuits: Created YouTube channel to document hikes and experiences with Doobie.
  • Content: Nature scenes and therapeutic sounds to relieve stress.
• Personal Fulfillment: Finally felt true happiness and a sense of purpose.

Conclusion

• Takeaway: Sometimes you must let go of harmful pursuits to find something better.
• Advice to Others: Trust your heart, lean on loved ones, and do what you need for your wellbeing.

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