Who is this Surgeon General? Let's understand this simply!

Perhaps you have been told to "meet a surgeon" when you have a stomach ache or a lump somewhere on your body. When you hear that, you feel a little scared and nervous, right? When we hear the word 'surgeon', things like an operating theater and major surgery come to mind. So, who is a real surgeon or a 'General Surgeon'? Does he only perform operations? Let's talk about this simply to dispel the fear and doubt surrounding this.

Who is this General Surgeon?

Simply put, a General Surgeon is a doctor who has received special training to perform surgeries. They can be compared to a family doctor who can also perform surgeries. He or she can diagnose your condition from the beginning, decide on the treatment required, and perform surgery if necessary.

The most important thing is that a surgeon is with you not only during the operation.

• Preoperative care: He or she will examine you, perform the necessary tests, and prepare you for surgery.
• During the surgery (Operative care): The surgery is performed very safely and successfully.
• Postoperative care: He or she will monitor your health and provide you with the necessary advice and medication after the surgery until you recover.

What are the common conditions that surgeons treat?

A surgeon is not limited to one part of the body. They treat a wide range of conditions. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.

But remember, if a surgeon sees a very complex condition that is difficult for him to treat, he will likely refer you to another doctor who has the expertise to treat it. This will ensure that you receive the best treatment possible.

How long does it take to study to become a surgeon?

This is not an easy journey as you might think. A surgeon is someone with a high level of training and dedication.

1. First you need to become a doctor: You usually need to study at a medical school for 5-6 years and get an MBBS degree.

2. Then surgical training: After that, they must undergo a surgical residency program for more than 5 years. During this time, they work under experienced surgeons and gain experience performing thousands of different surgeries.

3. Must pass special exams: After this training, they are qualified to work as a surgeon only after passing several very rigorous written and oral exams.

So you can see how knowledgeable and experienced the surgeon who is treating you is.

What are the new surgical techniques nowadays?

When we think of 'operation', we think of something that involves making a large incision in the body, but with today's technology, that situation has changed a lot. Now, surgeons use modern methods that cause as little damage to the body as possible (minimally invasive).

1. Endoscopy method

This is an examination or minor surgery that involves inserting a very thin, flexible tube with a camera attached through a natural opening in the body (for example, through the mouth or anus), without cutting the skin.

• The one that is inserted through the mouth is called Upper GI Endoscopy. This can examine areas like the esophagus and stomach.
• Colonoscopy is a procedure that is performed through the rectum. This allows the large intestine to be examined.
• This method can remove small growths (polyps) in the colon and take small tissue samples (biopsies) for testing.

2. Laparoscopic surgery

This is what many people call 'keyhole surgery' or 'laser operation.' However, no laser rays are used in this procedure.

What happens here is that instead of making a large incision in the abdomen, only a few very small holes (about 1 centimeter) are made, a camera (laparoscope) is inserted through one hole, surgical instruments are inserted through the other holes, and the surgery is performed while watching a television screen.

Advantages of this method:

• There are no large cuts or scars.
• The pain is less.
• Get well soon and go home soon.
• The risk of infection is low.

Nowadays, many surgeries, such as appendectomy and cholecystectomy, are performed using this method.

3. Robotic Surgery

This is another advancement in laparoscopic surgery. Here, the surgical instruments are not handled directly by the surgeon. The surgery is performed using robotic arms that the doctor controls from a computer console. This allows even the most delicate and complex surgeries to be performed with great precision.

What is the difference between a general doctor and a surgeon?

This is a question that many people have. The answer is very simple.

That is, a surgeon is a doctor who has completed an MBBS degree and has received special training and qualifications in addition to performing surgery. While your typical family doctor (General Practitioner - GP) treats diseases with medication, a surgeon has the ability and training to treat diseases not only with medication, but also through surgery if necessary.