Even though the term “general surgeon” contains the word “general,” general surgeons are extremely skilled and effective medical specialists who perform surgery and treat conditions such as hernias, appendicitis, intestinal and stomach problems, cancer, burns, gallbladder surgeries, and so forth. They carry out operations on the liver, colon, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs and systems of the body. Such operations may be carried out for organ transplantation, the treatment of a disease, or the removal and replacement of an organ.
These operations are performed using either invasive or non-invasive techniques. While organ transplant and removal require invasive procedures, laparoscopic techniques are used to treat appendicitis and stones.
What a General Surgeon Does and Is Responsible For:
Planning and Executing a Medical Procedure
As a general surgeon, it is your responsibility to put patients at ease by listening to their complaints, learning about their entire medical history, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of performing a surgical procedure based on the patient’s medical records, and developing the best procedural strategy. Before recommending surgery, allergies, other medical conditions, and the patient’s medical history must be considered.
Surgical procedure
The general surgeon can perform the surgery’s key procedure once the pre-surgical requirements have been met. The surgical procedure is performed expertly with the aid of additional staff members like other surgeons, nurses, and support staff. You can gain the knowledge and experience necessary to carry out such important tasks by finishing fellowships in general surgery in India.
Post-Operative Care
After a surgical procedure is finished, a general surgeon’s responsibilities don’t end. The patient’s health must be carefully observed following surgery. The patient must undergo routine follow-up visits and be prescribed a healthy diet, lifestyle changes, and regular diet checks.
Additional Treatment, if any.
General surgeons who have completed a fellowship in general surgery are to manage this ongoing stage to ensure a full recovery. The general surgeon must carefully handle any additional treatment, which may include the use of antibiotics, dietary recommendations, the use of sedatives, etc. In this way, you can prepare the patient for surgery and guarantee a quick recovery afterwards.
Ensure a smooth surgical procedure
Despite the support of other surgeons and members of the support staff, you have to ensure that the operating room and all associated equipment are sterile and secure. Additionally, it’s necessary to make sure that all of the equipment is working properly and to keep an eye on how the surgery is being performed. Additionally, it should be of utmost importance to you that the patient undergoes the procedure free of allergies or infections.
Highlights of a General Surgeon’s day-to-day role:
- Investing time in patients to learn about their medical history, talk about their case, and mentally prepare them for the procedure.
- Preparing yourself with the prerequisites and training needed to perform the surgical procedure successfully
- Advising on the recommended eating habits before and following surgery, as well as openly discussing the potential outcomes of the procedure and its likelihood of success
- Advising and discussing the patient’s medical history with other medical professionals
- Conversing with other experts in the field and researching the various methods needed to perform the surgery precisely
- Keeping abreast of developments in surgical technology, such as nanotechnology and imaging systems.
- Later on, you will also be expected to serve as a mentor and advisor to other young, aspirant medical professionals.
Career Prospects
Selecting to pursue a fellowship in general surgery in India is a career decision that must be carefully considered. Your subspecialty will be one of many options available to you, and it will serve as the foundation for your continued professional development. The best specialisation for you will depend on what you find most fascinating, whether it’s a particular body part, a disease that interests you because you want to treat it, or even just pure scientific curiosity. Whatever the motivation, picking a focused speciality to advance your career in is crucial. A general surgeon can choose from the following possible career paths:
Neurosurgeon
A surgeon who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of brain, nerve, and spine disorders is known as a neurosurgeon. They also deal with situations that impact the blood supply to the brain. To be more precise, they carry out surgical procedures involving the human body’s nervous system, spinal cord, or brain. You could also choose to focus on a particular area of neurology, such as epilepsy, vascular nerves, paediatrics, oncology, or disorders of the peripheral nerves in the hands or legs.
Heart Surgeon
A surgeon with experience in treating conditions affecting the heart, its valves, and its structures is known as a cardiothoracic surgeon or heart surgeon. Since heart disease is considered to be the leading cause of death worldwide, specialising in it will allow you to work with a group of people who are in high demand. Patients with various issues, such as murmurs, tumours, blockages, etc., can be treated by you.
Plastic Surgeon
A plastic surgeon is more than just someone who performs mole removals and nose jobs, despite this misconception. They demonstrate their skills and experience by assisting those who have suffered burns, been traumatised by accidents, or were born with abnormalities to return to a normal life.
Orthopedic Surgeon
All over the body, broken bones are repaired and treated by orthopaedic surgeons. Bone fracture is typically treated with rest and a cast. To help the skeletal process return to normalcy or to replace the joints with prosthetics, the bones must be operated on in some circumstances.
Pediatric Surgeon
They are surgeons who operate on kids and babies, as the name suggests. A variety of conditions, including the treatment of developing hearts, maybe the cause of the surgery. A paediatric surgeon performs any surgical procedure carried out for the benefit and treatment of children.
Ophthalmic Surgeon
The medical speciality of ophthalmology is dedicated to the care of the body’s eyes. Such operations are carried out on a patient’s eyes by ophthalmic surgeons to treat cataracts, refractive errors, or glaucoma. They deal with illnesses and conditions that affect or have an impact on the eyes and vision on a systemic level.
Conclusion
The demand for general surgeons will increase as long as there are people on the planet who are susceptible to illnesses, injuries, old age, and other conditions. As the world’s population continues to grow, there are a variety of opportunities available to general surgeons who choose to work in India. Additionally, it is predicted that the demand for surgeons will rise by 13% by the year 2026. You will undoubtedly need to move around a lot, but the satisfaction and benefits it brings will make the effort worthwhile.
