Mood swings and personality changes post surgery?

[cplato@gmail.com]

My husband had his surgery about 5 weeks ago. He went in feeling wonderful about everything and when he woke up from surgery, he wanted nothing to do with his family, wife, and step daughter. He has had aggressive mood swings and a complete change of personality since he woke up from surgery. Could this be due to the surgery or hormones or just timing in life? He is 29 years old and developed this during puberty and was and still is very happy about the physical results of surgery, but he does have a completely different personality. No one in his immediate family even recognizes this "new" personality. We are searching for answers and thought maybe the surgery could have had some sort of effect on his mental state or his hormone balance. Please help.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Surgeons are not mental health professionals.  What you have described is highly unusual.  My only gut feeling is that your husband had a lot of mental energy associated with his gyne -- perhaps he blamed some aspects of his life on his gyne.  Now that the gyne has been (? successfully) removed, he has no place to focus his anxieties and may then be "acting out."

Strongly suggest you consult a mental health professional.

Dr Jacobs

[Litlriki]

I would agree with Dr. Jacobs.  The surgery to correct gynecomastia would not directly lead to a personality change or any sort of direct behavioral changes.  While anesthesia can be complicated by brain injury due to low oxygen or a stroke, as examples, at age 29 with an otherwise uncomplicated procedure, these things are unlikely as well. 

Rick Silverman