Surgery postponed due to low platelet count

Hey there,

I was scheduled for septoplasty because my nasal passages are constantly blocked and I’m dealing with chronic sinus infections.
However, I just went in for my pre-op testing, and they turned me away.
My platelet count came back at 118, and my urinalysis showed mucus and a significant amount of bacteria.
The attending physician says the results are likely just due to inflammation... but the whole thing feels weird. I’ve been dealing with these constant infections for ages, antibiotics don't seem to touch them, and now I'm stuck in this loop where I can't prove the infection is persistent enough to justify moving forward with the surgery despite these lab results.
I'm heading back to the hospital for a follow-up urine analysis as they requested, so hopefully, I'll have some actual answers soon.

Regarding those platelets—I've actually noticed for quite a while now that my wounds take forever to heal and tend to leave these lingering marks, which makes me wonder if this isn't just about the inflammation, but something else entirely. Even though I've been battling these sinus issues for two or three years now.

To give you some context, back in March, I had a routine physical through my employer and my platelets were sitting at 158. Now, in November, they're down to 118... is that kind of a drop something I should be seriously worried about?

Thanks!

Jacob Kelly32 said:Hey there,

I was scheduled for septoplasty because my nasal passages are constantly blocked and I’m dealing with chronic sinus infections.
However, I just went in for my pre-op testing, and they turned me away.
My platelet count came back at 118, and my urinalysis showed mucus and a significant amount of bacteria.
The attending physician says the results are likely just due to inflammation... but the whole thing feels weird. I’ve been dealing with these constant infections for ages, antibiotics don't seem to touch them, and now I'm stuck in this loop where I can't prove the infection is persistent enough to justify moving forward with the surgery despite these lab results.
I'm heading back to the hospital for a follow-up urine analysis as they requested, so hopefully, I'll have some actual answers soon.

Regarding those platelets—I've actually noticed for quite a while now that my wounds take forever to heal and tend to leave these lingering marks, which makes me wonder if this isn't just about the inflammation, but something else entirely. Even though I've been battling these sinus issues for two or three years now.

To give you some context, back in March, I had a routine physical through my employer and my platelets were sitting at 158. Now, in November, they're down to 118... is that kind of a drop something I should be seriously worried about?

Thanks!

1. What do your other coagulation results look like?
2. Who specifically told you that you couldn't proceed with anesthesia? Was it the anesthesiologist, the attending physician, or the ENT?
3. Have you had a CBC done? Are you experiencing any issues with urination?
4. How old are you?

vividsailor7 said:1. What do your other coagulation results look like?
2. Who specifically told you that you couldn't proceed with anesthesia? Was it the anesthesiologist, the attending physician, or the ENT?
3. Have you had a CBC done? Are you experiencing any issues with urination?
4. How old are you?

1.
PV_1-0.86 (ref. 0.70-1.27)
PV_INR - 1.08 (standard INR)
aPTT (Ratio) - 0.92 (ref. 0.80-1.20)

2. The ENT specialist turned me away, but the anesthesiologist reviewed my labs and signed off on everything without any issues.

3. I'm not sure what "UK" refers to—I just did bloodwork, a urinalysis (dipstick and sediment), the anesthesia clearance, and my blood type.
The bloodwork looks fine, except for my platelet count... urine is mostly okay, though there's some mucus, it's a bit cloudy, and the bacteria count is high. No nitrites, though.
The hospital is referring me to Stanford, so I'm heading there this Friday.
Right now, I'm taking Sinersul just to try and knock down the inflammation a little bit.
As for urination, I haven't had any trouble at all, even though my bladder was acting up a bit right on the day of the tests. It was just that one day—nothing before or after.

4. 27

Thanks for the help.

Jacob Kelly32 said:1.
PV_1-0.86 (ref. 0.70-1.27)
PV_INR - 1.08 (standard INR)
aPTT (Ratio) - 0.92 (ref. 0.80-1.20)

2. The ENT specialist turned me away, but the anesthesiologist reviewed my labs and signed off on everything without any issues.

3. I'm not sure what "UK" refers to—I just did bloodwork, a urinalysis (dipstick and sediment), the anesthesia clearance, and my blood type.
The bloodwork looks fine, except for my platelet count... urine is mostly okay, though there's some mucus, it's a bit cloudy, and the bacteria count is high. No nitrites, though.
The hospital is referring me to Stanford, so I'm heading there this Friday.
Right now, I'm taking Sinersul just to try and knock down the inflammation a little bit.
As for urination, I haven't had any trouble at all, even though my bladder was acting up a bit right on the day of the tests. It was just that one day—nothing before or after.

4. 27

Thanks for the help.

1.Look, if the anesthesiologist looked at your labs and gave you the green light for surgery, then I don't see any reason why they should reject you.
"UK"—that means a urine culture. You aren't showing any symptoms of a urinary tract infection, and the results don't show them either. It really is strange.

The ENT specialists told me straight up that the surgery isn't exactly life-or-death. In cases like mine, they usually insist that the patient be in perfect health before they'll even consider going under the knife.
Before I even got my results back, they gave me a heads-up that scheduling was becoming a total nightmare, so there was a real chance they might have to push my procedure back.
Honestly, I can't help but wonder if those subpar test results were just an excuse to stall.🤷

Jacob Kelly32 said:The ENT specialists told me straight up that the surgery isn't exactly life-or-death. In cases like mine, they usually insist that the patient be in perfect health before they'll even consider going under the knife.
Before I even got my results back, they gave me a heads-up that scheduling was becoming a total nightmare, so there was a real chance they might have to push my procedure back.
Honestly, I can't help but wonder if those subpar test results were just an excuse to stall.🤷

I’ll give you that—it's definitely not a life-or-death operation.
But honestly? This is just the classic way the American healthcare system operates. Pure nonsense.😁

vividsailor7 said:I’ll give you that—it's definitely not a life-or-death operation.
But honestly? This is just the classic way the American healthcare system operates. Pure nonsense.😁

😁 I’m feeling pretty conflicted right now. On one hand, our healthcare system is actually decent when things get serious—you can't deny that. But on the other hand, I’m stuck on medical leave, and honestly, who knows how long this is going to drag on? Now comes the part I dread most: having to go through the whole gauntlet of tests and screenings all over again. It's just exhausting.🙂

Alright, thanks a million. I’m feeling a lot more level-headed now.

Jacob Kelly32 said:😁 I’m feeling pretty conflicted right now. On one hand, our healthcare system is actually decent when things get serious—you can't deny that. But on the other hand, I’m stuck on medical leave, and honestly, who knows how long this is going to drag on? Now comes the part I dread most: having to go through the whole gauntlet of tests and screenings all over again. It's just exhausting.🙂

Alright, thanks a million. I’m feeling a lot more level-headed now.

The test results aren't pathological, but honestly, it's still worth repeating just for my own peace of mind.
Best regards.