OT: Legal or not? Created 20 years ago2004-04-12 06:25:37 UTC by esmajor

Does anyone know if it is legal to ask a surgeon to amputate a foot if the foot is causing too much pain from multiple surgeries and deformity? :

It's legal to ask anything. There's no such thing as "doctor-patient confidentiality, but you can ask whatever you like.

I guess what I'm wondering is if it's legal for the doctor to fulfill such a request - I mean, am I gonna be thrown out the door for making such a suggestion? CAN a doctor, by law, perform upon a request?

By law, absolutely, but many wouldn't because it's not life-threatening and would do more pressing ones first.

Hope it gets better.

think about it, do they do plastic surgery by request? of course they do! if is so bad then go ask.

Here in Florida doctors cannot perform amputations without medical cause, so it's not the same as going to the plastic surgeon for a "10 minute suck & tuck". I'd hate to see the schmuck who would cut off a limb just to look "cooler" than that guy who's nose, both eyebrows, both lips, and both ears are pierced.

Don't worry about being thrown out for asking... doctors are used to dealing with patients who are under stress / in extreme pain. As long as your approach is rational (don't bring your own chainsaw) he / she should react just as rationally. It may or may not be legal to perform the operation; even if amputation is an option your doctor will want to offer alternative methods so be prepared to listen. I wish you well.

IN the last 24 hours I've gotten some pretty interesting remarks thrown at me in my paintball forum... I'm thinkin maybe I should just get 2nd and 3rd opinions.

Seems like the most obvious thing is to talk to a doctor about it in general. If it's causing pain then they've got to try and help in some way. Also it seems to me that there must be a more helpful solution than amputation.

dude your seriously thinking about this????

but plastic surgery is done on request?????? and its not illegal

Dude you would really do that? I mean there has to be some pain killer to do it - dont make harsh descisions that could impact your for your whole life just because its bad right now - at least that what helps me get through life : . Here goto groups.google.com and type in a search for doctors - and ask that questions in a forum where doctors talk. It will save you the embarassment of asking your actual doctor... I mean if you dont want to ask him thats gotta be the reason, that or he might think your insane... yeah i really dont think that was the time for a joke...