Comments on: Interview with a General Surgeon http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/ Shadow real people's jobs online. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:37:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: divine http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2988 divine Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:37:34 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2988 i just wanted to thank DOCSurgeon for his answers to our questions and for striving to put us in the right career path...THank you so much! i just wanted to thank DOCSurgeon for his answers to our questions and for striving to put us in the right career path…THank you so much!

]]> By: Maureen http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2973 Maureen Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:19:49 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2973 Thank you very much! I only decided to start on the medical field a fair time ago, so although my grades have always been pretty good, only now have I begun to get really serious. My goal for my 8th-grade year is to get all straight A's, & so far that is going well! I may need to work the way I spend my time...I guess that's one study habit I have to work on! The sciences and math I think will go quite smoothly, but will there be any extra classes I may need to take in high school or college? As for extracurricular activities...haha, I don't think there's much need to worry there. (^_^) Again, thank you very much for your advice. I look forward to reaching past this goal! -Maureen Thank you very much! I only decided to start on the medical field a fair time ago, so although my grades have always been pretty good, only now have I begun to get really serious. My goal for my 8th-grade year is to get all straight A’s, & so far that is going well! I may need to work the way I spend my time…I guess that’s one study habit I have to work on!
The sciences and math I think will go quite smoothly, but will there be any extra classes I may need to take in high school or college?
As for extracurricular activities…haha, I don’t think there’s much need to worry there. (^_^)
Again, thank you very much for your advice. I look forward to reaching past this goal!
-Maureen

]]> By: DocSurgeon http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2970 DocSurgeon Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:57:18 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2970 Dear Maureen, Several years ago I would have answered your inquiry with a flippant "You are too young to worry about the future-go enjoy yourself". That was then, and now is the 21st Century! I believe you are showing great maturity by thinking about what the future holds, and how you can make your way in this world, at your young age. My deciding moment of wanting to be a doctor was not until late in my high school years, but there are many facets of your future, hopefully in medicine as a surgeon, you can put in motion now. First, start good study habits. These are learned and are not something we are born with. There are many sources of what you need to develop to have these study skills, and I refer you to your teachers, the library, the internet, and, oh yea, your parents for some pointers. Next, get firm basis in the life sciences, math and physics. As I have said before, this is the basis for most medical school instruction, and is essential for the future physician. Often you can earn college credits for your study during your high school years, and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. Thirdly, develop extracurricular interests, both in athletics and non-athletic fields. They are not only fun, but help give you the "well-rounded" experience that many schools like in their medical students. Plus, it helps you to develop the social side of your personality. You are developing the friends you will enjoy for the rest of your life. In the coming years, make wise personal decisions, don't do anything illegal or otherwise "stupid" and you will be well on your way for your career in medicine or any other field your heart leads you. Best wishes and good luck, DocSurgeon Dear Maureen,
Several years ago I would have answered your inquiry with a flippant “You are too young to worry about the future-go enjoy yourself”. That was then, and now is the 21st Century!
I believe you are showing great maturity by thinking about what the future holds, and how you can make your way in this world, at your young age. My deciding moment of wanting to be a doctor was not until late in my high school years, but there are many facets of your future, hopefully in medicine as a surgeon, you can put in motion now.
First, start good study habits. These are learned and are not something we are born with. There are many sources of what you need to develop to have these study skills, and I refer you to your teachers, the library, the internet, and, oh yea, your parents for some pointers.
Next, get firm basis in the life sciences, math and physics. As I have said before, this is the basis for most medical school instruction, and is essential for the future physician. Often you can earn college credits for your study during your high school years, and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities.
Thirdly, develop extracurricular interests, both in athletics and non-athletic fields. They are not only fun, but help give you the “well-rounded” experience that many schools like in their medical students. Plus, it helps you to develop the social side of your personality.
You are developing the friends you will enjoy for the rest of your life. In the coming years, make wise personal decisions, don’t do anything illegal or otherwise “stupid” and you will be well on your way for your career in medicine or any other field your heart leads you.
Best wishes and good luck,
DocSurgeon

]]> By: Maureen http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2966 Maureen Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:55:16 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2966 Hello, DocSurgeon. I am a middle-school student, in the eighth grade, and this summer I'll be looking forward to my first year of high school. I want to become a general surgeon, and I believe I may have the perseverance to carry out that dream. But I would like to know what exact classes I should take right now, or in the near future, to carry on into the medical field. I would appreciate it very much, and I honestly admire your career as a surgeon. Thank you! Hello, DocSurgeon. I am a middle-school student, in the eighth grade, and this summer I’ll be looking forward to my first year of high school. I want to become a general surgeon, and I believe I may have the perseverance to carry out that dream. But I would like to know what exact classes I should take right now, or in the near future, to carry on into the medical field. I would appreciate it very much, and I honestly admire your career as a surgeon. Thank you!

]]> By: DocSurgeon http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2942 DocSurgeon Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:58:09 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2942 Dear Aly, I know several physicians who were nurses prior to going to medical school. I joked that when they worked side-by-side with physicians, they realized that doctors weren't smarter than they were, but simply worked harder than most other people to get where they wanted to be. By your experience so far, you will have a better understanding of the contributions nurses and nurses assistants give to medicine. Although nursing programs are stressing more study of life sciences, you will still need the extra courses in math, chemistry and physics for medical school. I would check with a counselor, but I bet you would need an additional year or two of college to do both nursing and take the required courses for medical school. This is ultimately a decision you must make about how you would use the extra time. Another consideration is if you would be able to work while you attended school. Also, although the nursing experience is great, because of the demands on study time, I doubt you will be able to work in the field while you are in medical school. Two great fields of medicine to consider. Thanks for you interest, and good luck. DocSurgeon Dear Aly,
I know several physicians who were nurses prior to going to medical school. I joked that when they worked side-by-side with physicians, they realized that doctors weren’t smarter than they were, but simply worked harder than most other people to get where they wanted to be.
By your experience so far, you will have a better understanding of the contributions nurses and nurses assistants give to medicine.
Although nursing programs are stressing more study of life sciences, you will still need the extra courses in math, chemistry and physics for medical school. I would check with a counselor, but I bet you would need an additional year or two of college to do both nursing and take the required courses for medical school. This is ultimately a decision you must make about how you would use the extra time.
Another consideration is if you would be able to work while you attended school. Also, although the nursing experience is great, because of the demands on study time, I doubt you will be able to work in the field while you are in medical school.
Two great fields of medicine to consider.
Thanks for you interest, and good luck.
DocSurgeon

]]> By: Aly http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2915 Aly Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:38:20 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2915 Dear DocSurgeon I am currently a high school student, taking a technical career as a medical assistant and have earned my certificate as a nursing assistant while still in high school. I am deeply interested in the medical field, especially surgery. I was thinking on getting a nursing degree before med school, but as an experienced medical professional, what would be the best choice for a bachelor degree before med school? I truly admire your career. Thank you. Dear DocSurgeon

I am currently a high school student, taking a technical career as a medical assistant and have earned my certificate as a nursing assistant while still in high school. I am deeply interested in the medical field, especially surgery. I was thinking on getting a nursing degree before med school, but as an experienced medical professional, what would be the best choice for a bachelor degree before med school? I truly admire your career.
Thank you.

]]> By: DocSurgeon http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2889 DocSurgeon Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:44:40 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2889 I got a little behind in my "correspondence" so I will try and answer the three questions above. Dear Stephen, Divine, and Sebastian: You should concentrate on the life sciences in high school and college. Keep well-rounded with study of other subjects (literature, history for a few examples) but a strong background in biology, chemistry, physics and math are important for acceptance into medical school. The undergraduate college you go to is not as important as how well you do at college, and your MCAT scores. Try to excel wherever you go. Pay for surgeons is generally set by insurance companies and Medicare. At this time, to my knowledge, there is no difference for pay for a board certified general surgeon who does colon surgery, for example, and a surgeon who also has his colo-rectal fellowship. Some of us like the broad spectrum of surgery and some want to narrow their scope of practice by doing fellowships. It is a personal matter for the individual. The length of the fellowships are generally from 1 to 3 years, depending on specialty. We always joke that surgeons must be "slow learners" since surgery is a 25 year program : 12 years of secondary school, 4 years college, 4 years of medical school and 5 years of residency. It sounds worse than it is since the time passes quickly (really!) You go from paying in to receiving pay during your internship and residency years. Most programs pay what teachers make or better, along with benefits. I am so far away from that aspect, I will defer the exact dollar figure to the program you enter. The future is never known, but my words of wisdom are simple: find something you like or love to do, work and study hard to be the best you can be, and then hopefully you will look back after many years of "work" and be satisfied in your career decision. For me, that has been a life as a general surgeon. For you, it may be something similar or different. Good luck and best wishes, DocSurgeon I got a little behind in my “correspondence” so I will try and answer the three questions above.
Dear Stephen, Divine, and Sebastian:
You should concentrate on the life sciences in high school and college. Keep well-rounded with study of other subjects (literature, history for a few examples) but a strong background in biology, chemistry, physics and math are important for acceptance into medical school.
The undergraduate college you go to is not as important as how well you do at college, and your MCAT scores. Try to excel wherever you go.
Pay for surgeons is generally set by insurance companies and Medicare. At this time, to my knowledge, there is no difference for pay for a board certified general surgeon who does colon surgery, for example, and a surgeon who also has his colo-rectal fellowship. Some of us like the broad spectrum of surgery and some want to narrow their scope of practice by doing fellowships. It is a personal matter for the individual.
The length of the fellowships are generally from 1 to 3 years, depending on specialty.
We always joke that surgeons must be “slow learners” since surgery is a 25 year program : 12 years of secondary school, 4 years college, 4 years of medical school and 5 years of residency. It sounds worse than it is since the time passes quickly (really!)
You go from paying in to receiving pay during your internship and residency years. Most programs pay what teachers make or better, along with benefits. I am so far away from that aspect, I will defer the exact dollar figure to the program you enter.
The future is never known, but my words of wisdom are simple: find something you like or love to do, work and study hard to be the best you can be, and then hopefully you will look back after many years of “work” and be satisfied in your career decision.
For me, that has been a life as a general surgeon. For you, it may be something similar or different.
Good luck and best wishes,
DocSurgeon

]]> By: sebastian http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2885 sebastian Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:42:59 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2885 Dear DocSurgeon, I am a current high school student with the hopes of one day becoming a general surgeon. I know it won't be easy but my passion to do so pushes through that. I read this whole thread and was immediately hooked after reading you experiences and everyday surgeon lifestyle. The only answer that really astonished me was when you said it's a 25 year training and studying career! Your answers really helped me in deciding whether this was the career I really wanted to choose and i thank you for that. Now my big question is...when though out your 25 years of training did you start earning a descent income? The only thing that really worries me are the fees that follows along after committing to becoming a doctor! Thanks a lot , Sebastian p.s - i completely agree with your last answer on the thread!:) Dear DocSurgeon,

I am a current high school student with the hopes of one day becoming a general surgeon. I know it won’t be easy but my passion to do so pushes through that. I read this whole thread and was immediately hooked after reading you experiences and everyday surgeon lifestyle. The only answer that really astonished me was when you said it’s a 25 year training and studying career! Your answers really helped me in deciding whether this was the career I really wanted to choose and i thank you for that. Now my big question is…when though out your 25 years of training did you start earning a descent income? The only thing that really worries me are the fees that follows along after committing to becoming a doctor!

Thanks a lot ,
Sebastian

p.s – i completely agree with your last answer on the thread!:)

]]> By: divine http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2869 divine Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:47:52 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2869 Hi DocSurgeon I was wondering how much you get paid if you are a general surgeon and did not do the fellowship program. And how many years are required if you do the fellowship program. Thank you! Hi DocSurgeon
I was wondering how much you get paid if you are a general surgeon and did not do the fellowship program. And how many years are required if you do the fellowship program. Thank you!

]]> By: trave45 http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-general-surgeon/comment-page-1/#comment-2852 trave45 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:30:17 +0000 http://www.e-shadow.com/?p=135#comment-2852 Doc Surgeon, We've now enabled nested comments to reply directly to the user if you so choose. Thanks for your active participation in the JobShadow community! JobShadow Team Doc Surgeon,

We’ve now enabled nested comments to reply directly to the user if you so choose. Thanks for your active participation in the JobShadow community!

JobShadow Team

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