It is very normal for anyone to feel a little scared or nervous when they hear the word "operation" or "surgery". But when you know exactly who is performing this important task, what kind of specialist is that doctor, and what kind of knowledge he has, your fear will go away to a great extent. So today, let's talk about who is a specialist in surgery, or as we all know it, a surgeon.
What exactly does a surgeon do?
Simply put, a surgeon is a doctor who has received special training in surgery, or operations. Surgery is any procedure that changes the tissues of the body to diagnose or treat a disease. A surgeon never works alone. He works with a full team that includes an anesthesiologist, nurses, and surgical technicians.
Now you may be thinking, there are separate doctors who specialize in heart surgery and brain surgery, so what does this term "General Surgeon" mean? Just think, a cardiac surgeon performs heart surgeries, and a neurosurgeon performs brain surgeries. But not every disease or surgery requires such specialized knowledge limited to one organ. That is when we really need the services of a general surgeon.
A general surgeon has extensive expertise in nine basic surgical areas of the body. This means that he can manage the entire process, from the initial examination of a patient, to preparing for surgery, performing the surgery, and managing the patient after surgery.
| Areas of expertise of the surgeon | To explain simply... |
|---|---|
| Digestive system | Surgeries involving organs such as the stomach, esophagus, intestines, liver, and gallbladder. |
| The abdominal cavity and its organs | Problems with internal organs in the abdomen, for example, appendicitis. |
| Skin and soft tissue (including breast) | Surgeries for skin tumors, lumps, and breast problems. |
| Head and neck | Surgeries involving organs in the neck and head, such as the thyroid gland. |
| Blood vessels and heart | Basic surgeries related to the body's blood vessels. |
| Endocrine system (hormones and glands) | Surgeries involving hormone-producing glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. |
| Surgical treatment for cancer | Surgical removal of cancerous conditions in various parts of the body. |
| Management of injuries caused by accidents | Treatment for things like internal injuries that occur in serious accidents. |
| Caring for intensive care patients requiring surgery | Managing patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who require surgery. |
Nowadays, many surgeons are well-versed in minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy . We call this "keyhole surgery." This involves inserting a small camera and special instruments into the body through several very small incisions, rather than making a large incision. This results in less pain for the patient and a quicker recovery.
A surgeon is someone who has extensive knowledge of various diseases and conditions. He or she is the one who can best recommend whether you need surgery and, if so, what type of surgery is appropriate.
How does such an expert emerge?
Becoming a surgeon is not an easy task. It is a long, dedicated journey. After earning a basic medical degree from a medical school, you need to train for many more years to become a specialist in surgery.
- At least 5 years of postgraduate training: They undergo specialized training in hospitals under senior surgeons for 5 years or more. During this time, they participate in thousands of different surgeries.
- Passing special exams: After this training period, they must also take and pass several very high-level exams that measure their knowledge and abilities.
After this basic training, some surgeons move on to other subspecialties. For example:
- Vascular surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Surgical critical care
- Complex general surgical oncology
In what cases would you be referred to see a surgeon?
There are several situations where patients are referred to see a surgeon.
If your doctor recommends it
If your GP feels that your condition cannot be treated with non-surgical treatments such as medication, he or she may refer you to a surgeon. For example, if you have gallstones that cannot be dissolved with medication, surgery may be needed to remove them.
In case of a medical emergency
Surgeons have extensive knowledge, so they perform a variety of emergency surgeries. If you have appendicitis , a herniated disc that is causing severe pain, or a serious accident, you will be taken directly to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU). There, the surgical team will examine you and decide if emergency surgery is necessary.
In an elective procedure
An "elective" surgery is a non-emergency surgery that you and your doctor have planned in advance. For example, surgery to repair a hernia that is painless but still present, or surgery to remove hemorrhoids, would fall into this category.
What should you expect when you go to see a surgeon?
When you go to see a surgeon, he will examine you thoroughly to see if surgery is really necessary and if it is the right option for you. He will explain the surgery to you thoroughly, how it is done, and answer any questions you may have.
He will also advise you on how you should prepare before the surgery.
- Are there any blood tests or scans that need to be done before the surgery?
- What medications you currently take should you stop taking and what new ones should you start taking.
- How many hours before surgery should you refrain from eating or drinking?
He will also explain to you the recovery period after the surgery. If you need to stay in the hospital, how many days you will have to stay, and what you should and shouldn't do after you go home. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you have. It's your right.
Take-Home Message
- A surgeon is a highly trained specialist with extensive knowledge of various parts of the body.
- His role is not only to perform surgery, but also to examine you before surgery, decide on the best course of action, and manage you during your recovery after surgery.
- If you have any questions about the surgery, how to prepare for it, or what will happen afterward, don't be afraid to ask your surgeon.
- Not all surgeries are urgent. Some surgeries can be planned in advance and performed at the most convenient time.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න