Who is a surgeon?
Surgery is a procedure doctors perform to evaluate and treat medical conditions that physiologically alter a person's body. It is done for various purposes, such as helping treat or diagnose illnesses or injuries.
There are two types of surgeries: open and minimally invasive. Open surgeries require a deep and long incision in the patient's skin to see the internal organs. In contrast, minimally invasive surgeries need minor incisions to repair or perform procedures. Generally, the latter have less recovery time than open surgeries. However, not all surgeries may have a minimally invasive option.
A surgeon provides proper and thorough surgical care for a patient. This care includes diagnosing, performing preoperative, operative, and postoperative patient management, and performing surgical treatments. Surgeons can operate on the alimentary tract, abdomen—its contents (including pelvis), skin, breast, soft tissue, and endocrine system, among others.
Surgeons lead a team of additional doctors and nurses to perform a smooth procedure in the operating room. They employ surgical tools, such as scalpels, probes, lasers, ultrasounds, radiation, and needles, to alter or move tissue.
Education, training, and subspecialties for surgeons
To become a surgeon, you must complete a pre-medical undergraduate program, including chemistry, biology, and physics. Next, you must pass the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), a standardized exam that the Association of American Medical Colleges conducts, and complete four years of medical school. You earn an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) upon completing medical school. While the programs are similar, earning a DO will better prepare you to treat bone and joint disorders.
After medical school, you must also enroll in a surgical residency. While residencies are usually five-year programs, they can sometimes take up to 8–9 years to complete. The first year of your residency is known as the intern year. The following 3–4 years of training focus on general surgery. However, ‘general surgery’ refers to a broad spectrum of surgical procedures. However, several surgeons complete further training to specialize in a particular condition or surgical technique. These subspecialties include oral and maxillofacial surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery. If you want to specialize in any of these branches, you require an additional 2–3 years of residency training.
Finally, you must pass a licensing exam before you can practice. Doctors with an MD need to take the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), while DO surgeons can also take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX). Receiving certification from the American Board of Surgery (ABS) is not compulsory, but it enhances your chances of employment.
What are the different types of surgeons?
Since each surgeon employs diverse skills to perform an effective surgery, each body part needs a different approach. A general surgeon is one of the most popular and treats problems that might affect practically any body area. Colon and rectal surgeons help patients with gastrointestinal issues. A neurosurgeon treats diseases of the nervous system and the brain. Obstetricians and gynecologists specialize in treating pregnant women, childbirth, postpartum care, and the female reproductive system.
Ophthalmic surgeons can treat eye and vision problems. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on a person's head, neck, face, and jaw. In contrast, a plastic surgeon performs cosmetic surgeries to repair, replace, and reconstruct the body. An orthopedic surgeon treats issues related to the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, joints, arteries, associated nerves, and overlying skin.
Otolaryngologists or ENT surgeons specialize in ear, nose, and throat-related issues. Specialists working with children — from newborns to teenagers are called pediatric surgeons. A thoracic, cardiac, or cardiothoracic surgeon operates on the heart and other chest organs. A urologist specializes in treating kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, urethra, and testes.
You can categorize surgical procedures by their suffixes, which indicate the objective of the surgery. Examples of this include the following:
-An ectomy refers to removing an organ, such as a hysterectomy or tonsillectomy.
-oplasty refers to reconstructive surgery, like rhinoplasty, which alters the shape of your nose.
-otomy describes cutting into the tissue or an organ, like laparotomy.
-ostomy refers to making a permanent or semi-permanent opening in your body, such as colostomy and ileostomy.
-oscopy describes minimally invasive operations - like colonoscopy and arthroscopy - performed with the help of a scope, which is a small camera attached to a long and thin tub.
Why should you visit a surgeon?
Surgeries can be either emergent or elective. Surgeons perform emergency procedures when a patient's health is in danger. Conversely, elective surgeries are pre-planned and may not require immediate action, though they are not always optional.
You may have to visit a surgeon near you and undergo surgery for various reasons, such as:
1. To get an accurate diagnosis
2. To get a tissue sample from an affected area
3. Repair or remove infected tissue(s) or organ(s)
4. To take out an obstruction/blockage
5. Reposition body parts to their designated positions
6. Redirect blood vessels
7. Transplant organs
8. To put mechanical or electronic devices inside a body
9. To change a person's physical appearance
How do you prepare for your surgery?
Usually, at this point, you are referred to see a surgeon by your doctor, and from there, the former decides if you need surgery or not and what the next steps should be. It may be an exhaustive and overwhelming process, so knowing your options and having a support system is always helpful.
The surgeon will ask about your health conditions and medications during the appointment. Hence, you must write down all the necessary information. About 2-6 weeks before your surgery, the surgeon's office will schedule a pre-admission appointment with the surgeon's team of nurses and an anesthesiologist. They will walk you through the surgical process and discuss post-surgery care so you can mentally prepare yourself.
Your surgeon's office will determine your hospital stay and the length of time you will be admitted to the hospital. It could include one of the following admission types:
1. Day surgery - Discharge happens on the same day as surgery.
2. Overnight surgery - Discharge occurs the next day after the surgery by 7:00 am.
3. Same-day admission - Discharge happens more than 24 hours after the surgery.
To prepare for the surgery, you must stay active and eat a balanced diet. If you have any medical concerns, call your family doctor or surgeon and communicate openly and honestly with them.
Make sure to have someone from your family or friend with you throughout and after the surgery, as you will require help for at least the first few days.
What happens during and after surgery, and what are the surgeon’s responsibilities in these phases?
The surgical process has two phases: intraoperative and postoperative. The intraoperative phase starts when the patient enters the operating room and ends when the patient is in the recovery area. This stage includes the surgical procedure itself, which typically involves an incision. For example, an angiography requires a small incision in the arm or leg, while laparoscopy uses multiple small incisions to insert instruments. The surgeon uses a scalpel to make a larger incision in regular open surgery.
Before surgery, the surgeon thoroughly washes the hands, wrists, and forearms for at least four minutes and wears sterile gloves. Sterile drapes are kept around the operating site to maintain cleanliness, and the surgery team wears masks to prevent contamination.
The surgeon may perform various procedures during the operation depending on the patient's condition. Common procedures include:
- Ablation: Destruction of tissue or tumors using methods like freezing or chemicals.
- Angioplasty: Opening narrowed blood vessels.
- Excision and resection: Removing tumors, tissues, or parts of organs.
- Implants and grafts: Inserting devices or relocating tissue within the body.
- Transplantation: Moving donated organs or tissues to the recipient.
- Stent placement and prostheses: Keeping vessels open or replacing damaged structures.
The postoperative phase begins after surgery. The surgeon monitors the patient for complications, manages pain, and reviews the results with them. They also ensure that they clearly explain any adverse findings. If recovery issues arise, the surgeon oversees long-term follow-ups to address ongoing problems. This phase is essential for the patient’s full recovery and involves continuous care and communication.
Throughout both phases, the surgeon plays a crucial role in ensuring the patient’s safety, the effectiveness of the procedure, and a smooth recovery process.
Tips to help recover faster after surgery
Embarking on the journey of surgery and subsequent recovery can be physically taxing, with the recovery period varying from person to person. Following are some things you can do to promote healing after surgery:
- Follow your surgeon's instructions: Adhering to your healthcare provider's guidance is crucial. Each directive, even if seemingly restrictive, serves a purpose. Seeking clarification rather than resisting advice is essential for a smooth recovery.
- Keep your follow-up appointments: Routine post-surgical follow-up visits at two weeks and six weeks are vital. These appointments assess healing progress and address any concerns that may arise.
- Prevent infection: Prioritize infection prevention by washing hands before touching the incision. Promptly address signs of infection and consult your doctor on maintaining skin health.
- Drink and eat properly: Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to promote healing. Adequate nutrition, including essential nutrients, supports recovery and minimizes complications.
- Inspect your incision and ensure you care for it properly: Regularly examine your incision, noting its color, any wound drainage, and the state of stitches or staples. Signs of infection, including increased redness or swelling, warrant immediate attention. Follow your surgeon's instructions for incision care. Gently wash with soap and water, avoiding excessive scrubbing or removal of scabs.
- Cough and sneeze carefully: Protect your incision when coughing or sneezing, especially after abdominal surgery. Applying gentle pressure or bracing the incision helps prevent complications.
- Control your pain: Manage pain effectively to support recovery. Take prescribed medications as directed and explore alternative options if concerns arise.
- Get moving: Incorporate walking into your recovery routine. Regular walks, even around your home, help prevent complications like blood clots and pneumonia and facilitate a gradual return to physical activity.
- Know when to go to the ER: Familiarize yourself with emergency care indications outlined in post-op instructions. Seek immediate medical attention for issues like excessive bleeding, breathing difficulties, or signs of infection.
Successful surgery recovery requires a collaborative effort between the patient and the healthcare team. Adhering to guidelines, attending follow-up appointments, and promptly addressing concerns can enhance one's recovery experience.
How can you find the best surgeon near you in Baltimore, MD?
If your symptoms worsen with time, your healthcare provider may recommend you consult a surgeon. Surgery is an exhaustive and crucial process; hence, choosing a suitable surgeon is necessary. Zocdoc makes this process easier by helping you find the best surgeons nearby who also accept your insurance plan.
Our online patient help center simplifies finding surgeons who accept your insurance. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, although you can use only one plan per appointment.
You can include details about your secondary insurance in the appointment notes if you have multiple insurance plans. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can conveniently input your secondary insurance information directly.
Perform a search by entering your location (Baltimore, Maryland), doctor specialty (surgeons), symptoms, and preferred appointment date. Once done, Zocdoc will show an extensive and filtered list of the best medical and healthcare providers matching your requirements.
At Zocdoc, transparency is very crucial. Hence, each healthcare professional profile includes educational qualifications, board certifications, awards, accreditations, expertise, experience, etc. Checking verified customer ratings and reviews of the best surgeons near you is another way to make wise decisions. After choosing a surgeon, you can book an in-person or online appointment based on the doctor's availability.
Booking appointments using Zocdoc is 100% safe, quick, and free.
Health statistics of Baltimore, Maryland
A 2017 data set published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows that general emergency surgery contributes to about half of all surgical mortality nationwide. It has a nearly 50% complication rate and a 15% readmission rate within 30 days.
A Statista study published in 2024 stated that about 1409 surgeons were practicing in Maryland.
In 2018, the Baltimore City Health Department released a study that listed the top killers in Baltimore — heart disease, chronic lower respiratory illness, cancer, stroke, accidents, homicide, and drug or alcohol-related causes of death — overdose and alcoholic liver disease. Baltimore City had the highest age-adjusted overdose mortality rate among the large metropolitan counties in the United States in 2016.
Another report by the Maryland Health Care Commission found that between 2010 and 2015, the total number of outpatient surgical cases at hospitals in Maryland decreased by approximately 2.9%. Reports suggest an approximately 15.5% decrease in the total number of inpatient surgical cases. In 2015, about 47 general hospitals in Maryland provided outpatient and inpatient surgery, totaling 596 operating rooms.
Sources
Baltimore City Health Department
Canadian Association of General Surgeons[1]
Canadian Association of General Surgeons[2]
Canadian Association of General Surgeons[3]
Maryland Health Care Commission
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Statista
WebMD
American Association of Medical Colleges
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
MedlinePlus
