Becoming a surgeon requires a significant commitment to education and training but offers a rewarding career dedicated to helping others. The stages of becoming a surgeon include high school education, a bachelor’s degree, medical school, a surgical residency, and potentially a fellowship for specialization. So how exactly does one become a surgeon? Let’s decode this journey.
Stage 1: High School – Build a Strong Foundation
In high school, the first stage of this journey, students should ideally focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, and mathematics. These courses build a strong foundation and prepare students for the coursework they will encounter in college and medical school.
Stage 2: Bachelor’s Degree – Scientific Grounding
Though there isn’t a required major for aspiring surgeons, a degree in a science field such as biology or chemistry can provide a solid foundation. However, you should ensure the chosen program includes pre-medical prerequisites required by medical schools.
Stage 3: The MCAT and Medical School – Practicing Medicine
To enter medical school, students must first pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Once accepted into medical school, students spend the first two years mostly in classrooms and labs studying biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology, and medical ethics. The last two years primarily focus on gaining practical experience under supervised care.
Stage 4: Residency – Practical Experience
Upon graduation from medical school, students start a surgical residency program which typically lasts between 5-8 years, depending on the specialty. The residents gain experience in various surgical techniques and procedures under the guidance of experienced surgeons.
Stage 5: Fellowship – Specialization
After successfully completing a residency, some surgeons choose a fellowship to specialize in a particular area. This might include areas such as cardiothoracic, pediatric, or plastic surgery.
The Surgical Process: An Example
The surgical process, of course, depends on the type of surgery being performed. As an illustration, let’s discuss a specific process: fat removal from cheeks, a common plastic surgery procedure. Cheek fat removal, also known as buccal fat removal, is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to slim the cheeks.
Knowledge of the facial anatomy, particularly the distribution and location of the cheek fat pad, is vital. The surgeon begins by making an incision inside the patient’s mouth, on the inner portion of the cheek. They then carefully extract a certain portion of the cheek fat pad, making sure to extract the right amount for an aesthetic result, and then close the incision.
Following the surgery, patients typically have a relatively quick recovery time, although they might experience some swelling and discomfort for a few days. Such operations speak to the precision, knowledge, and dexterity required of surgeons, regardless of their specialty. Surgeons also need to communicate effectively with their patients, explaining procedures and setting realistic expectations.
Conclusion
Becoming a surgeon is a long and demanding journey but can bring immense satisfaction. Surgeons do more than perform operations; they give their patients a chance at a healthier, better quality of life, whether it’s by removing an appendix or sculpting cheek fat. Every aspiring surgeon must be willing to commit to a lifelong endeavor of learning, because the field of medicine is constantly evolving, just like the path to becoming a surgeon.