Doctors in 5 different countries said no, but our doctor said yes and saved a life

No matter where Chidi Tagbo turned for help treating the massive tumor that could ultimately kill him, he was met with the same answer: The surgery was too risky.

He was met with “nos” from doctors in his home country of Nigeria, and doctors from Germany, India, Dubai and Spain. But when he reached out to Kongkrit Chaiyasate, M.D., plastic surgery, he finally got the “yes” he was looking for.

“If you worry too much about complication, there would be no progression in any field,” Dr. Chaiyasate told Fox 2 Detroit. 

The tumor in question was pressing against the young man’s skull. If it hadn’t been removed, it could have caused blindness, brain damage and ultimately death.

During the surgery, any mistake, moving a millimeter in the wrong direction, could have caused permanent blindness as well.

Because Dr. Chaiyasate was willing to take the risk, he saved the young man, who now works to save others: Dr. Tagbo just graduated from medical school at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla Enugu and is a physician.

“Every time we talk, he’s like my mentor, and he keeps me pushing,” Dr. Tagbo said of his relationship with Dr. Chaiyasate.

“The impact that we create, that we inspire people, it’s good to know that our work as a physician has inspired a younger generation, including this young man,” Dr. Chaiyasate said.