Why I Quit Neurosurgery: Gooby's Story

Introduction

• Gooby from Gooby and Dooby, former neurosurgeon.
• Education: MIT, 4 years of medical school, 6 years of neurosurgery training.
• Practiced neurosurgery for almost 10 years.
• Recently quit neurosurgery, a decision not easily understood by others.
• Goal: Share his story to sort his thoughts and potentially help others in a tough spot.

Motivation for Becoming a Doctor

• To help people and relieve suffering, not just perform surgeries or prescribe pills.
• Hypocractic Oath emphasized by an older professor: Doctors' job is to relieve suffering.

Interest in Neurosurgery

• Curious about how the brain and consciousness work.
• Explored brain-machine interface (e.g., robotic limbs controlled by thoughts).
• Enrolled in neurosurgery training driven by these interests.

The Reality of Neurosurgery

• 6 years of training included brain and spine surgery (spine issues more common).
• Initial excitement waned after realizing practical limitations (e.g., brain rejects electrodes).

Disillusionment and Ethical Concerns

• Realized goals in brain-machine interfaces were unachievable.
• Underwhelmed by the efficacy of spine surgeries to truly relieve suffering.

Observations on Patient Healing

• Discovered a pattern in patients who healed well:
  • Low-salt, plant-based diets.
  • Physical activities that induce sweating.
  • Non-smokers, minimal alcohol consumption.
  • Strong social support systems.
  • Adequate sleep, minimal stress, mindfulness practices.
• Those who adhered to these lifestyles often healed without needing surgery.
• Conventional medical system not set up to support non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical healing methods.

Ethical and Personal Crisis

• Felt morally conflicted continuing surgeries that didn’t address root causes.
• Gained weight, felt unhappy, and experienced moral injury.
• Discussed with supportive wife; considered part-time work but eventually decided to quit.

Decision to Quit

• Considered quitting neurosurgery despite financial concerns and lack of a new plan.
• With wife's support, gave 9 months’ notice and left the profession.
• Initially embarrassed, but found liberation in having no fixed plan.

Life After Neurosurgery

• Focused on health: lost weight, slept better, spent time outdoors.
• Created a YouTube channel, Gooby and Dooby, to document experiences and share nature scenes.
• Found new purpose in helping relieve stress through nature, not surgery.

Conclusion

• Letting go of a detrimental path opened prospects for healthier, fulfilling activities.
• Message: Trust your heart, lean on loved ones, and do what feels right.