High Blood Pressure During Surgery with Local - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

PhilaGirl · 10-06-2003, 08:20 PM

I have been on monopril for HBP for about 5 years now and my BP is still borderline. When I went for my BP check last week I was told that my BP was 153 and that the epinephrine in the local (yes it's for a minor cosmetic procedure) could make the BP go higher. I called the cosmetic surgeon the next day and asked what I should do about this problem, if I even have a real problem, since I'm in Philly and I'd be traveling 300 miles to see this doctor. I know there are never any guarantees, but why walk into the office knowing I have a problem without a solution? WHen I called I mentioned that I would be open to electrocautery (to eliminate or reduce the epinephrine), extra meds or monitoring. However, I will not accept general anesthesia. To make a long story short I was given a message from the doc that the BP should be controlled first and that epinephrine must be used. I am now confused. How can my primary care doc be responsible for treating me for my BP at the surgery when he won't even know what the reading is? All I can think of is for the cosmetic doc to consult with my primary care if the BP is too high for the surgery with the meds I'm already taking and I don't think that's done. At this point I feel like I'm hanging and pushed aside. I plan to call a trauma doc, as he must see many patients with skin gashes and sky high BP and I don't think they're being worked on and sutured under general anesthesia. Also I plan to talk to an anesthesiologist. Seems to be I should be able to get this kind of info from the cosmetic surgeon. Thanks for any reactions and information. Sherry

ruthmaree · 10-17-2003, 09:24 PM

I can understand how frustrating your situation must be, but I really think that getting your blood pressure under control is the most important thing. A reading over 150 (while on medication) is not good & the stress of surgery would make it higher. Have you considered asking your doc to add a diuretic to your existing medication or just adding a second type of antihypertensive drug to what you take? I take Diovan and just adding the diuretic brought my pressure down from the 160-150 range to 120's. You could then proceed with p/s under local & perhaps valium. Good luck with whatever you decide.