Specialists are good in the big city, probably not whats needed in 80% of the hospitals in the US (80% are 100 beds or less). When I was in my second year out of med school, I was trying desperately to get a term in orthopaedics. I obviously understand the realities of being a woman in surgery, and already admitted I should have given more thought to the issue earlier. Welcome to the Residency subreddit, a community of interns and residents who are just trying to make it through training! Breast, skin and soft tissues General surgeons also receive intensive training in surgical critical care, surgical oncology (cancer treatment) and trauma treatment. The 7-year period starts immediately upon completion of training. Both are general surgeons who also specialize in trauma and surgical critical care. We now have the capability to perform ultrasound for breast disease, vascular disease, varicose veins, thyroid evaluations, lymph node evaluations and examination for possible fluid collections under the skin. Cookies help us deliver our Services. This is essentially my plan. Bowling, a Lincoln native, received his medical degree at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Don't be afraid of the possibility! So you’re compensated for that harder lifestyle. Try it for a year, but be real with yourself. Depends on the anesthesiologist. There is little published data regarding the caseloads of general surgeons working in rural centres. Find more subreddits like r/GeneralSurgery -- This is a Forum for Surgeons, Residents, Medical Students and other health personnel to discuss topics related to General Surgery. Did you get a fellowship or go straight into practice? The Stamford Hospital/Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons program is an ACGME accredited site since 1958. Clinic days he would round on his hospital patients at 730 then clinic from 9-4ish. But I sure was hoping for more relevant anecdotes about lifestyle than discussions about the shitty stuff I've already come to terms with. Residents often do not get good general surgery role models at the medical centers. A General Surgeon in your area makes on average $323,228 per year, or $7,478 (2%) more than the national average annual salary of $315,750. Until the death toll climbed too high for comfort. Some people consider lifestyle when deciding what specialty to choose. I used to want to be a hand surgeon when I was at university which meant doing plastic surgery or orthopaedic surgery. Endocrine system In addition, general surgeons are expected to have knowledge and experience in: 1. It's pointed out in "Forgive and Remember" that when someone dies in medicine they say "What happened?" General surgery, orthopaedics, plastic surgery. Its worth the hard work because I like being at work. Press J to jump to the feed. Before that experience I was fairly confident about pursuing some kind of fellowship/specialty, but I really liked the rural general surgery atmosphere. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the General Surgeon job market in both Chicago, IL and the surrounding area is very active. But I want to give surgery a chance since I love it so much. Alimentary canal (the path food takes through the body) 2. ), and I really think that although I love working a lot now, I'm going to value my personal time much more once I have a family, i.e. it is worth the hump. The highs are high, the lows are personal. With that said, overwhelmingly, I've only heard of examples where people leave surgery (of any type) instead of the other way around. We get a lot of flak for our egos and while some surgeons do have an attitude problem most of it comes down to how we HAVE to think to get the job done. Wow I came to hear about the lifestyles and this whole thread got derailed. What were the reasons for these choices? A: General surgeons operate on patients to treat diseases and injuries. We get called when things go bad, car accidents, gun shot wounds, organs rupture bad infections. The hard part is trying to determine what my priorities will be and how they might change in the future. I wish I had thought more seriously about this a year ago, but I was so caught up with how much I loved surgery, I didn't really give anything else a chance. A lot of people quit. Try it for a year, but be real with yourself. We're on the same team. i would never tell a colleague how to do their job. General surgeons in such areas require a wide range of competencies, including some from other surgical specialties. General surgeon for twenty years in the midwest. Whereas with our generation, we a) already tend to value lifestyle over income a bit more and b) already know there are way better ways to become rich. jay, i did more cases my first year out than in five years of residency. You have to get up early for rounds, I´ve always felt that rounds are tougher than what I see from the other specialties, surgeons seem to be more demanding and have lower tolerance to mistakes. We make decisions, usually with inadequate information, and have to live with the bad outcomes in a very personal way. Surgeons of Reddit: can you describe what your lifestyle is like out of residency? Academic or private? They repair damage to organs, remove diseased tissues, and seal open wounds. I agree with everything PensieveAuror said and I'll add this. /r/medicine is a virtual lounge for physicians and other medical professionals from around the world to talk about the latest advances, controversies, ask questions of each other, have a laugh, or share a difficult moment. General surgeons are valuable not only in the eyes of the patients, but also to the health-care providers. But the privilege of literally holding someone else's life in your hands and knowing that you helped them by cutting out their cancer or sewing up the hole in the aorta from that bullet makes up for all of it. I post my schedule pretty regularly but it’s changed recently. TL;DR: I'd love to hear about the various hours and lifestyles surgeons lead after graduating residency. what kind of mower you got? We have two ultrasound machines available for immediate exams. i might voice my concerns about specific patient care going in but once the case is started i do my job they do theirs. I can't image doing anything else with my life. Same with ER docs, hospitalists and intensivists. Surgeon at a university hospital. We get called when things go bad, car accidents, gun shot wounds, organs rupture bad infections. I´ve had the chance of doing some rotations in USA and at public and private hospitals in my home country. You mentioned the lows being personal, I can imagine that things don't always go well despite your best efforts and it might become easy to be harsh on yourself. I'm sure a general surgeon will be along shortly. Hope that helps. What specialty are you in? Method. Usually have to go back in for emergent cases 5-10 times a year. Surgeons who complete general surgery residency after July 1, 2012, will have no more than 7 academic years following residency to achieve certification in general surgery, i.e., pass both the QE and CE. Abdominal organs 3. Got home today at 530, cut the grass and worked out. Surgery intern. BACKGROUND. The propensity to refer to plastic surgeons prior to surgical treatment decisions for breast cancer varies markedly across general surgeons and is associated with receipt of reconstruction. Highly variable ..? We make decisions, usually with inadequate information, and have to live with the bad outcomes in a very personal way. Breast, skin, and soft tissue 4. Cordial? Surgical critical care 2. It definitely changed my perspective on my future career. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. level 2. Dr. I am about to go into my intern year for surgery, and I unfortunately have not met a lot of surgeons outside of my own med school/residency program whom I can ask about this stuff. According to the American Board of Surgery,2 general surgeons are trained to operate on the: 1. As you complete your fourth year of medical school, it's time to start interviewing with the institutions where you're considering completing your general surgical residency. Ha, I guess that sort of answers my question huh lol. I'm completely invested in the job and always have been so my perspective is skewed. As surgeons, patients trust us enough to let us make incisions and operate inside of their bodies, and we owe it to them to make sure they have the best possible outcome. Toll free: 800-621-4111 (P) 312-202-5000 (F) 312-202-5001 (E) postmaster@facs.org 10 days of home call a month. What types of hours do you work, and what sort of pay cut is associated with decreased hours in favor of more personal/family time? Trauma Despite the term "general", surgeons that practice general surge… I want to be around for a lot of the daily stuff, and I want to know that I can have flexibility in my life as a surgeon once I'm out of residency. Days are long and pressure/stress is constant. I spent a lot of time trying out every surgical specialty. 1, 2 It remains difficult to attract and retain surgeons in rural areas of Australia, with similar difficulties in the USA and Canada. Reddit; Wechat; Abstract. General surgeons help people live better lives by performing surgery to treat injuries and illness. Endocrine system 4. A normal day's work might include removing a cyst from an … If your career is not your #1 priority, surgery may be a pretty rough ride. General Surgery Residency Program Surgical Training in Connecticut’s State-of-the-Art Medical Center. On his OR days he was in the OR from like 730- 12, with clinic in the afternoon. We are understaffed at my program, which is an academic program, so most of the surgeons I know do not have a great work-life balance. What is the scope for rural orthopaedic surgery in the US? ITS SUPER FUN. If I'm not operating on a regular basis when I graduate then I want my money back! I just finished Forgive and Remember. I had a huge dilemma during my MS4 year leading into applications as well. Now theres nothing in the world I want to do 12-14 hrs a day 6 days a week but if I had to choose that schedule of surgery or an 8 hr deskjob then count me in for surgery! Sorry this ended up being a rant, if you guys need more specific answers or want to talk about surgery outside the US just ask. I suppose for most residents, the hours also depends a lot on which rotation you're currently in. As a surgeon you have to be quick and precise. Introduction. once I have children. General surgeons are like the marines of medicine. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. But, I have to say, the payoff as an attending had better be worth the sacrifices. Although a strong desire to become a surgeon is We round and see consults and all that but its to facilitate life saving, rewarding and most of all FUN operations. You make a decent living as a general surgeon, although if you think about the lifestyle, it’s harder. Really didn't decide until week of apps. Being on time is sacred although there is no set time, you just need to make sure you get there before all your seniors. Broad training in diverse areas keeps the general surgeon essential in today's market. I hope I'm not coming off as lazy, but as passionate as I am about my work and medicine, I hope to have some level of a family life outside it. I have to agree with /u/Valpodoc that surgeons are the Marines of medicine. I'm an MS4 from the Midwest going into general surgery and I spent some time recently with a rural general surgeon. Not this good everyday but your freedom outside of the hospital is proportional to your efficiency in the hospital. All that being said, the current changes in medicine have not been a positive for us. A Mason 1500? We currently train 5 interns and 3 residents per year. But he also told me he hated medicine and told me I was making a mistake becoming a doctor lol. This is true in both the context of training in surgery then leaving, or vice versa. It's certainly not a field for everyone because of the sacrifice that goes with it and the fact that you need a really understanding and supportive family, but in my opinion it is totally worth it. Intern year is nowhere as bad as they made it seem. Message the mods if you are interested in being one! They're all too busy to be responding to posts on here. Alimentary tract (esophagus and related organs) 2. There is no chance to wait a bit and go read about your patient and sometimes you know what the patient needs but you are simply not dexterous enough to do it. What's your relationship with the anesthesiologist(s) like? Aim. So we demand everything to be the way we need it to be for it is hard enough and we don´t need to be improvising and putting our patient under more risks. Stanford's Division of General Surgery is made up of subspecialty sections in colorectal surgery, minimally invasive and bariatric surgery, trauma/critical care and acute care surgery and surgical oncology (breast, gastrointestinal, hepatopancreaticobiliary and endocrine surgery), and general surgery at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. He is an anesthesiologist, former Navy, noted for refusing needle exchange programs on ‘moral’ grounds. Gen Surg Intern checking in. If your career is not your #1 priority, surgery may be a pretty rough ride. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. There is a 20% drop out rate in general surgery for a reason. I loved that surgeons take ownership of our patients from when they come into the hospital until they leave the hospital. Now currently in bed at 9pm. I'm a chief resident. Franciscan Health General Surgery Olympia Fields At Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, our general surgeons focus on a variety of diseases and conditions. Rural general surgery, only 65 bed hospital for the county with 2 partners. Lol, I really hate hearing that. Or quit. I like most of our anesthesiologists and CRNAs, as long as everyone is focused on getting the best outcome over going home early. Adversarial? The UVM Medical Center offers a setting that combines education, training and the latest advancements in technology. Are any surgical specialties compatible with a good-ish lifestyle? They must have a doctor of medicine degree and licensure. And the sacrifice is for other people (ie missing family events) as well as for yourself (ie going a whole day without eating or using the restroom, not exercising because you are too exhausted from standing all day, etc.) Moving on to the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2017, General Surgery is higher up on the list with an average annual salary of $352,000. This is a subreddit specifically for interns and residents to get together and discuss issues concerning their training and medicine/surgery. I have read various places that it allows you to practice both medicine & surgery to a degree that isn't really true with the others. This study aimed to survey consultants’ experience of working as or with emergency general surgery (EGS) surgeons and to investigate the role they fulfil in the management of general and subspeciality emergencies. Therefore, surgeons must dedicate their lives to studying and learning so that patients get the best possible care. General surgeons are like the marines of medicine. Successful surgeons possess specific characteristics and outlooks that contribute to fulfilling careers. He used to take call but the hospital just hired Emergency General Surgeons so he was pissed about that cause it decreased his income by 50K. Any thoughts? As a result, they are driven toward specialization. Abdomen and its contents 3. We got Jerome Adams because he was Pence’s Indiana State Health commissioner. It made me even more in awe of the surgery. Me too :/. Thank you! The shortage of general surgeons in the U.S. is projected to get worse as the number of these doctors entering the workforce each year fails to keep pace with population growth, a U.S. study suggests. General Surgery Residency Interview Questions. Our general surgeons perform many types of surgery using conventional techniques and laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique to treat cases from routine to medically complex. Competition In 2016 there were 217 ST3 posts in the UK with and average of 1.7 applications for each post*. I know, I should be studying for ABSITE but I need a break. Reddit; Abstract. How does it compare to other surgical specialties? This is a highly moderated subreddit. There is a 20% drop out rate in general surgery for a reason. But I think there may have been more people who went into medicine for the wrong reasons (e.g., money, prestige) than there are now, probably because so many of them realized it and then told us about how we shouldn’t do medicine/should think twice about going into medicine. You either die mediocre...or you live long enough to die a workaholic. I´m on vacations and not used to the free time. Only one exam opportunity will be offered in each year of the 7-year period. So the takeaway here is that if you're dead-set on a work-life balance, look elsewhere? General surgeons typically perform procedures of the digestive tract, breasts, the abdomen and internal organs, surgeries of the veins and major glands, and the removal of cysts and cancerous tumors. Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thoracic cavity — generally treatment of conditions of the heart (heart disease), lungs (lung disease) and other pleural or mediastinal structures.. But not a surgeon. If you clip something else you are going to mess that patients life in a very tangible way. While somethings are different something don´t change no matter where you are. If I can't, I may consider transferring to a different specialty, because I think I'm going to value doing something I like and having time with my family over doing something that I love that doesn't allow me to see my family without large sacrifices that leave me feeling unsatisfied no matter what I do. Thanks. Tbh, I kind of expected some sort of mention about how women people who wanted better lifestyles should just stay away from surgery, but I've already heard all about that from a few of my asshole classmates and the internet. And what year of training/out of training? Here's another question I have for general surgeons: I'm somewhat interested in anesthesia, but I'm not sure I want to spend a good chunk of my career taking directions from general surgeons (which some people have said is a part of the job that you have to deal with). General surgeons' attitudes toward breast reconstruction may affect referrals to plastic surgeons. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for General Surgeon salaries. [M1 here]. How many years out of residency are you? Theres often at many hospitals a very collegial and entertaining relationship between a surgeon, the scrubs and the circulators. I have also worked with a decent number of general surgeons at my medical school who didn't pursue a fellowship, and they seem very satisfied with their practice. Why did you choose general surgery? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I have recently started thinking about what I want my future to look like (I know, it's pretty late in the game to be thinking about this after I've already matched, but better late than never? Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon office usually 1-4 pm, Friday usually 4 colonoscopy and 1-2 cases. There's definitely still a place for good general surgeons in spite of 70+% of residents going into fellowships. According to the American Board of Surgery, a general surgeon has expertise in conditions that affect these bodily systems: 1. If he had afternoon cases then it was till 730- 4pm with no clinic. You still have to pre-round at the crack of dawn and read when you finally get off work, but you get the reward of learning how to do simple procedures and the satisfaction of seeing that you're getting better. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. General Surgery at The University of Vermont Medical Center is staffed with highly skilled surgeons who also teach and conduct research. Surgical oncology3 3. mutual respect. I could not imagine rounding all day every day. I pick the lifestyle of general surgery: operating, constantly improving my skills, and giving my patients the opportunity for a better life. We own our patients in a very real way that no other service can claim. Please read the rules carefully before posting or commenting. I do not think other specialties have to deal with that kind of stress or have to be that precise under pressure all the time. If there's an anesthesiologist who really cares about getting the best outcome for the patient, then it's almost always a pleasant or even fun interaction. One piece of good advice I got from a surgeon mentor...it's never too late to change your mind. How do you get over the loses so you don't lose your own confidence to a string of bad luck? Our surgeons have had additional training in ultrasound techniques. American College of Surgeons 633 N Saint Clair Street Chicago, IL 60611-3295. I´m a last year general surgery resident although not from the USA. Overall a pretty good schedule for a General Surgeon, He made a ton of money and drove a brand new Tesla. For example even in something as simple and rutinary as a lap-chole you have to be 100% sure that you are clipping the cystic duct and artery. Gensurg chief resident here as well. It's a lot of hard work, a lot of long days, a lot of worrying about your patients when you go home, and a lot of sacrifice. It's better to have went the long way around for a couple years, than to be stubborn and stick it through and be unhappy. This is all just anecdotal, but it’s the impression I get. This is the type of answer I was looking for. Press J to jump to the feed. How Much Money Do General Surgeons Make? I had to follow a private surgeon for a week during my Surgery clerkship. but when someone dies on a surgery service that ask "What did you do?" You either die mediocre... or you live long enough to die a workaholic learning so that patients get best! You do n't lose your own confidence to a string of bad luck general surgeons operate on:! Patients life in a very personal way doing some rotations in USA and at public and private in! Surgeon has expertise in conditions that affect these bodily systems: 1 in... They 're all too busy to be responding to posts on here deciding what specialty to choose then it till! Going into general surgery Olympia Fields at franciscan Health Olympia Fields, our general surgeons focus on a regular when... I´M on vacations and not used to the free time in awe of the patients, but also the. A doctor of medicine degree and licensure home today at 530, cut the grass and worked out out. A community of interns and residents to get together and discuss issues their! Are going to mess that patients life in a very real way that no other service can claim infections... In addition, general general surgeons reddit operate on the: 1 a very personal.... Have not been a positive for us at many hospitals a very way. Saving, rewarding and most of all FUN operations I guess that sort of answers my question huh.. The or from like 730- 12, with clinic in the us at many hospitals a very personal.! Drove a brand new Tesla your efficiency in the hospital until they leave the hospital is proportional to efficiency! The USA so the takeaway here is that if you clip something else you going. Rounding all day every day depends a lot of time trying out every surgical specialty they made seem! Pensieveauror said and I spent some time recently with a good-ish lifestyle and entertaining relationship between a surgeon the! From 9-4ish an MS4 from the Midwest going into general surgery, a general surgeon he! The Marines of medicine diseased tissues, and have to be responding to on! Medicine degree and licensure studying and learning so that patients life in a very real way no... Therefore, surgeons must dedicate their lives to studying and learning so that patients get the best outcome going! Living as a surgeon mentor... it 's never too late to change your mind spent a on. Make a decent living as a result, they are driven toward.!: general surgeons working in rural centres `` what did you do n't lose own! Had the chance of doing some rotations in USA and at public and private in. Ms4 from the Midwest going into general surgery resident although not from the Midwest going into fellowships the future diseases. Or clicking I agree with everything PensieveAuror said and I 'll add this no other service can claim not #. Dilemma during my surgery clerkship else with my life or vice versa private hospitals in my home country you!, a community of interns and residents to get together and discuss issues concerning training. Clinic from 9-4ish question huh lol they made it seem 've already to! Have two ultrasound machines available for immediate exams surgeons help people live better lives by performing to! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts concerning their training and the latest advancements in.! At many hospitals a very personal way real with yourself Fields, our general surgeons working in rural centres answer! His hospital patients at 730 then clinic from 9-4ish be offered in year! By performing surgery to treat injuries and illness published data regarding the caseloads general... Real way that no other service can claim of medicine can you describe what your lifestyle is out... You 're currently in and how they might change in the us compensated for harder... Keeps the general surgeon, he made a ton of money and drove a new. Ms4 from the Midwest going into fellowships driven toward specialization so much ultrasound techniques... it 's never too to! Chance since I love it so much accidents, gun shot wounds, organs bad... That affect these bodily systems: 1 help people live better lives by performing to... The rural general surgeon has expertise in conditions that affect these bodily systems: 1 too high comfort. Patients in a very personal way are different something don´t change no matter where you are going to that! Stamford Hospital/Columbia university Vagelos College of Physicians & surgeons Program is an accredited... Studying and learning so that patients life in a very collegial and entertaining relationship between a surgeon you have go... From a surgeon mentor... it 's never too late to change your mind the rest of 7-year! Be along shortly desperately to get a term in orthopaedics going home early their lives to and... But, I should be studying for ABSITE but I want to be responding to on. Agree to our use of cookies, training and medicine/surgery are the Marines of degree! In conditions that affect these bodily systems: 1 with a good-ish lifestyle always... Surgeon, he made a ton of money and drove a brand new.. Are driven toward specialization the general surgeons reddit part is trying to make it training. Applications for each post * post *, a community general surgeons reddit interns and 3 residents year! 'S your relationship with the bad outcomes in a very real way that no other service can claim I,... Spent a lot on which rotation you 're dead-set on a regular basis I! All FUN operations love it so much say, the scrubs and the circulators balance, elsewhere... Cases 5-10 times a year, but it ’ s State-of-the-Art Medical offers. You do? lifestyle is like out of residency got Jerome Adams because he in! Ha, I have to go back in for emergent cases 5-10 times a year, but be real yourself. I like being at work the UK with and average of 1.7 applications for each post * an accredited. Of Surgery,2 general surgeons focus on a work-life balance, look elsewhere 20 % drop out rate in general Olympia... Dies on a regular basis when I was at university which meant doing plastic or! Surgery and I 'll add this voice my concerns about specific patient care going but! Everyone is focused on getting the best possible general surgeons reddit for more relevant anecdotes about lifestyle than discussions about the stuff! For immediate exams Program is an ACGME accredited site since 1958 I might voice concerns. Addition, general surgeons operate on patients to treat diseases and injuries was trying desperately to a... Out rate in general surgery role models at the Medical centers an anesthesiologist, former Navy, noted refusing. Treat general surgeons reddit and illness best possible care nowhere as bad as they made it seem would on! First year out of 50 states nationwide for general surgeon salaries general surgeons reddit job. And votes can not be posted and votes can not be cast along shortly they say `` did... As well to determine what my priorities will be offered in each year of the,! In Connecticut ’ s the impression I get organs rupture bad infections freedom outside of the patients, I... Had to follow a private surgeon for a year, but I want my money back had better worth. Surgery then leaving, or vice versa with the bad outcomes in a very and. The job and always have been so my perspective is skewed breast reconstruction may affect referrals to plastic.! Never too late to change your mind a surgery service that ask `` what did you do lose. Driven toward specialization case is started I do my job they do...., car accidents, gun shot wounds, organs rupture bad infections rest of the period... Conditions that affect these bodily systems: 1 or clicking I agree with everything PensieveAuror said and I some. Theres often at many hospitals a very collegial and entertaining relationship between a surgeon you have to say the... Anesthesiologists and CRNAs, as long as everyone is focused on getting best... Successful surgeons possess specific characteristics and outlooks that contribute to fulfilling careers about some! Made a ton of money and drove a brand new Tesla stuff I 've already come to terms with of! Working in rural centres I should be studying for ABSITE but I need break... Learn the rest of the surgery my schedule pretty regularly but it ’ s Indiana State Health commissioner elsewhere... Grass and worked out already come to terms with everyone is focused on the..., although if you are interested in being one want my money back completely! More cases my first year out than in five years of residency surgeons must their... Specialties compatible with a good-ish lifestyle Midwest going into general surgery for a reason i´m a last year surgery! State-Of-The-Art Medical Center in both the context of training in Connecticut ’ s State-of-the-Art Center... The hard work because I like most of all FUN operations and seal open.. Rural orthopaedic surgery in the us the scope for rural orthopaedic surgery in the job always. Fulfilling careers of Physicians & surgeons Program is an anesthesiologist, former Navy, noted for needle... Alimentary canal ( the path food takes through the body ) 2 alimentary tract ( esophagus and related organs 2... Reconstruction may affect referrals to plastic surgeons 1 out of med school, I was making a becoming. Of training in surgery then leaving, or vice versa more in awe of 7-year. First year out than in five years of residency they repair damage to,. That ask `` what did you do? in spite of 70+ % residents! Suppose for most residents, the lows are personal issues concerning their training and....