Who is a surgeon, and what procedures do they perform?
A surgeon performs different surgical procedures to diagnose diseases, treat pain, injuries, and medical conditions, and improve bodily functions or appearance. Surgical procedures are classified based on several factors, such as:
- Urgency - A surgery can be elective, semi-elective, or emergency.
- Location - Surgical procedures can be categorized based on the specific body part (breast, colon, etc.) or broadly classified as gastrointestinal (digestive tract), genitourinary (reproductive and urinary organs), hepatic (liver), nephrotic (kidneys), neurologic (nervous system), orthopedic (bones and joints), etc.
- Purpose - An operation can be diagnostic or exploratory, therapeutic, cosmetic, corrective, or reconstructive. Some surgeries might also involve transplantation or amputation.
- Invasiveness - A surgery can be minimally invasive or require an open procedure.
Surgeons often collaborate with nurses and doctors in various settings, such as hospitals or private clinics. They perform operations in inpatient or outpatient settings and often lead a team comprising a registered nurse (RN) and an anesthesiologist. The team might include circulating nurses, surgical assistants, and surgical technicians.
Education, training, and specializations for surgeons
To become a surgeon, you must undergo at least 13 years of training, which starts with a four-year undergraduate program. Next, you must complete four years of medical school, graduate with an MD (Doctor of Medicine) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree, and finish a five-year residency in surgery. This program trains you in general surgery.
Afterward, you can start practicing or pursue a specialization, as general surgery describes the broad spectrum of surgical procedures for almost all body parts. Surgical specializations focus on a particular condition, area of the body, or technique. Some of these are:
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Colorectal surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Bariatric surgery
- Plastic surgery
After completing specialized education, you can also train for a subspecialty. For instance, you can train to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, after which you can complete additional education to specialize in transplant or congenital cardiac surgery. However, ensure you are certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery within seven years of completing your residency by passing a qualifying exam (QE) and licensing exam (CE).
Some common surgical specialties
Various types of surgical specialties focus on different body parts. Cardiothoracic surgery focuses on organs inside the thoracic cavity, including the heart, lungs, and other structures. Neurosurgery deals with the central and peripheral nervous system, including the brain, spine, and nerves. Oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on surgical treatment of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck.
Otolaryngology involves surgical management of the ear, nose, and throat. Orthopedic surgery deals with the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage. Urology focuses on the male and female reproductive systems, particularly the penis, prostate, testes, and the urinary tract, including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Vascular surgery is the operation of the vascular system — arteries and veins. Colon and rectal surgery focus on small and large intestines. Obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) centers on the surgical management of the female reproductive system. Ophthalmology involves operations of the eye.
Other specialties include:
- Plastic surgery.
- Surgical oncology (cancer).
- Pediatric surgery (children and adolescents).
- Trauma surgery (acute and critical care).
What are the most common surgical procedures?
Surgical procedures mostly fall into three categories: invasive, minimally invasive, and non-invasive. Invasive or open surgeries involve incisions in the body to get a clear view of the internal organs. In contrast, only small incisions are made during minimally invasive surgeries, preventing the body from significant damage. Non-invasive surgeries are without any incisions. In the USA, a few of the most typical surgical operations are:
- Cataract surgery — replaces the eye's natural lens, which has become cloudy due to cataracts, with an artificial lens.
- Cesarean section (C-section) — is a birth technique in which the mother's abdomen and uterus are surgically incised to deliver the child. Doctors recommend this delivery method when a vaginal birth is difficult or risky for the mother and baby.
- Joint replacement — an orthopedic surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged joint with a plastic, metal, or ceramic prosthetic joint. The most frequent joint replacement procedures are knee and hip replacements.
- Circumcision — surgically removing the foreskin of the penis, a standard procedure for newborn boys. It has many benefits, such as easy hygiene and reduced risk of urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and penile cancer.
- Bone fracture repair — surgeons fix broken bones using metal screws, pins, rods, or plates.
- Angioplasty, atherectomy, and stent procedures relieve blocked arteries.
- Cholecystectomy — the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Surgeons most commonly perform this procedure to treat gallstones and their complications.
- Coronary artery bypass — a procedure used to treat coronary heart disease and relieve the blockages in one or more coronary arteries.
- Hysterectomy — the removal of the uterus and sometimes the surrounding structures such as the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Common reasons for this procedure include heavy periods, pelvic pain, uterine prolapse, and cancer.
What are the various stages of surgery?
The surgeon handles the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of surgery.
Before surgery (Preoperative care)
The primary purpose of preoperative care is to ensure that a patient is healthy and prepared for surgery. This stage may last only a few hours or take a long time to prepare, requiring the patient to drop weight, go through preoperative tests, or wait for an organ to be donated.
While the surgeon may conduct the assessment, nurses often perform it in hospitals. Ultimately, the surgeon is responsible for assessing the results and granting permission to proceed.
The surgeon visits the patient before the procedure, addresses any concerns, and helps ease any fears the patient might have.
During the surgery (Intraoperative care)
The intraoperative phase includes the surgery itself and lasts from when a patient is carried into surgery until they are taken to the recovery room.
The surgery will eventually require an incision. For example, a laparoscopy would require multiple keyhole incisions, inserting the scope, and surgical instruments, whereas an angiography would require a minor incision in the arm or leg. The classic type of surgery called "open surgery" involves using a scalpel to make a bigger incision. The surgeon would thoroughly wash his hands, wrists, and forearms for at least four minutes before the procedure and then put sterile gloves on both hands.
Following surgery (Postoperative care)
The surgeon's primary duty during the postoperative phase is to handle any surgical problems. Along with discussing the results with the patient, the surgeon would also reveal any results, positive or negative.
If a postsurgical issue persists, the surgeon will provide proper long-term follow-up.
How to prepare for surgery?
If you have an appointment scheduled with a surgeon near you, you may have some anxiety and fear. However, there are many ways you can prepare your body and mind for a better surgery outcome and recovery period.
First and foremost, being in the best state of health helps. You can introduce simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise or yoga, restful sleep, and a healthy diet. It is good to limit alcohol, stop smoking, and manage your weight before surgery to lower your risk of surgery complications. Besides, these changes will help you recover faster post-surgery.
Apart from physical health, it would help to emphasize your mental health. You can start by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga to build inner strength.
Some more preparation steps may include pre-, during, and post-surgery care. In most cases, people fear because they are unaware of the process. So, it is best to learn about the surgical procedure, its outcomes, and the risks involved through reliable sources. You can also discuss your concerns and clarify doubts with your healthcare team to calm yourself before the surgery. Another valid point to learn about is your anesthesia options.
Make sure your doctor is well-informed about your medications and supplements. If necessary, they may ask you to pause them for a while. Similarly, discuss the medications and therapies you need after the surgery to manage the pain and other side effects.
On the day of the surgery, you will need to follow a set of instructions issued by your doctor. They may ask you to stop drinking and eating at a specific time before the surgery. It will be best to present in loose clothing, without accessories, makeup, or eye contact.
Lastly, ensure that you have pre-planned for a smooth recovery. For instance, pack a bag with all your essentials for your stay in the hospital post-surgery. You may feel bored or lonely in the hospital, so bring some things for recreation, such as books or your tablet. Likewise, prepare your home, stock your pantry, and call your family and friends or arrange for a caregiver who can help you in the initial days.
Common mistakes that could hinder your post surgery recovery
Avoid these costly mistakes to stay on track with your recovery:
- Overdoing it too soon: Getting back to activities too quickly can set you back. Rushing into action may result in falls, improper wound healing, or even a complete restart of your recovery process. Follow your doctor's guidelines carefully. For instance, you might be allowed light activities but prohibited from strenuous ones or encouraged to walk while avoiding heavy lifting.
- Staying in bed too long: Once your doctor gives you the green light to move, it's crucial to get up and start moving. Many people hesitate due to fear, but staying in bed too long can lead to complications like blood clots, pressure sores, pulmonary embolisms, and muscle weakness. Even if you're tired, resist staying in bed. Movement can actually combat fatigue, aid digestion, and help wake up sluggish bowels.
- Skipping medications: Avoid the temptation to skip pain medication due to fears of addiction or side effects like constipation or nausea. Ignoring your prescribed medication can hinder recovery by disrupting sleep, appetite, and mobility. Managing pain effectively helps your body heal. Gradually taper off medication under your doctor's supervision when it's safe to do so.
- Not eating or drinking enough: Feeling nauseous or dealing with sluggish bowels might make eating or drinking less appealing, but proper nutrition and hydration are vital for recovery. Food fuels your muscles, while fluids keep you hydrated and prevent delays in your healing process.
- Neglecting rehabilitation: Some believe they can recover without professional help, but physical therapy is essential after major surgery. Even a few sessions post-hospitalization can make a big difference. Attend your appointments and do the recommended exercises at home to build strength and recover safely.
- Driving too early: Follow your doctor's timeline for getting back behind the wheel, whether it's a couple of weeks or a few months. Driving before you're ready can be risky due to slowed reaction times, increasing the chances of accidents. Arrange for transportation or ask others to help with errands until you're advised to drive safely.
How do you find the best surgeons near you in Forest Hills, New York?
Your healthcare provider may recommend you meet with a surgeon if your pain or medical condition worsens with time and affects your quality of life. Surgery is a huge decision, but having a good surgeon of your choice to help you out can make a difference, and Zocdoc can help you in this journey.
You can add your location details in the search box if you are looking for surgeons in Forest Hills, New York. You can also search for specific surgical specialties and filter according to your preferred consultation date, insurance carrier, and plan. More such filters include the expert's gender, language, hospital affiliations, and whether or not they treat children. If your insurance plan isn’t listed on Zocdoc, you have the option to upload a photo of your medical insurance card (this feature is not available for vision or dental cards). Zocdoc will scan the image to identify and display your likely plan. If you experience any difficulties uploading your card, our service team is available to assist you. This ensures a seamless process for finding the right providers based on your coverage.
Zocdoc believes every patient has the right to know about the expert who will treat them. By clicking on the expert's name, you can check their profile page, where you can read about their educational qualifications, specialties, board certifications, awards, experience, accreditations, and more. Also, consider checking patient reviews and ratings to gather more information about surgeons near you.
Depending on the surgeon's availability, you can schedule an in-person or online appointment as soon as you decide. Booking with Zocdoc is simple, safe, and cost-free.
Vital statistics on surgeons and different surgical procedures in New York
As per the May 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, New York has the highest number of surgeons (around 3,340) compared to the other USA states.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, the state's cesarean delivery rate found that the cesarean delivery rates in New York are about 33.6% of all live births. This rate is comparatively high among other states, pushing New York to the twelfth rank.
Between 2015 and 2017, The New York State Department of Health analyzed data on adult cardiac surgery. The report found heart disease to be the leading cause of death in New York. In 2017, surgeons performed around 8,782 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries. The in-hospital/30-day mortality rate for these surgeries was nearly 1.58%, meaning about 139 deaths. For almost 20,367 valve-only and valve/CABG procedures performed in 2017, there were approximately 611 in-hospital/30-day deaths, pushing the mortality rate for this procedure to about 3%.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
verywell health[1]
verywell health[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Healthgrades
Stanford Health Care
US News Health
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Health
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