Surgeons specialize in evaluating and treating medical conditions that may need surgery. Their work involves performing surgical procedures on the human body in the operating room, where they lead a team comprising doctors and nurses. To move or alter live tissues, they use tools and instruments such as scalpels, needles, radiation, ultrasound, lasers, etc.
A surgeon starts by diagnosing and providing patients with pre-operative, operative, and postoperative care. They are generally also responsible for the comprehensive health management of critically ill or trauma victims. During their training, surgeons learn to manage various medical conditions, such as those affecting the head, neck, breast, soft tissue, skin, abdominal wall, etc.
Education and training
Surgeons complete a long and intense educational journey that begins with earning an undergraduate degree in a pre-med or science-oriented subject. Subsequently, they clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). After that, they attend medical school, studying for four years before deciding upon a specialty and pursuing a five-year residency program. After completing the residency, they begin their practice as surgeons.
As per the American College of Surgeons (ACS), there are 14 surgical specialties for a surgeon. These include:
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Colon and rectal surgery
- General surgery
- Gynecology and obstetrics
- Gynecologic oncology
- Neurological Surgery
- Ophthalmic surgery
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatric surgery
- Plastic and maxillofacial surgery
- Urology
- Vascular surgery
Open surgeries vs. minimally invasive surgeries
When looking for surgeons, it is essential to know that they can perform two kinds of surgeries: open and minimally invasive.
In an open surgery, the surgeon cuts into the skin using a scalpel and has a view of the body's internal parts. Depending on the process, such incisions can be between three to four inches long or even longer. These surgeries require long recovery periods post-operation. Open surgeries are less common due to the advent of minimally invasive surgeries.
Minimally invasive surgery involves very small or no incisions at all. Often, these procedures include multiple incisions less than an inch long, accompanied by a camera or instruments inserted into such incisions. The surgeon can then oversee the operation on a large monitor as they undertake the procedure.
Minimally invasive surgery is gaining popularity since it has a lower possibility of causing infection and faster recovery periods while being as effective as open surgery. However, they are only sometimes possible, especially in cases where visual information is necessary or access to a larger operating area is essential to insert materials. In an emergency or when more movement flexibility is required, the surgeon may go from minimally invasive to open surgery.
What to expect at a surgery consultation?
Before you book a consultation with a surgeon near you, it can be helpful to know what to expect. During the visit, you will meet the surgeon, who will review your health history and any test results you may have brought along, including X-rays, CT scan reports, and other medical records. The surgeon may also perform a physical examination to assess your fitness levels for the surgery.
You may require special tests to determine if you are fit for surgery, especially if you have diabetes or cardiac issues. Once the surgeon has determined you are a suitable candidate for surgery, they will explain the procedure in detail and discuss possible outcomes. They may provide details on what to anticipate post-surgery, such as expected symptoms, recovery time, etc.
Your surgeon may also provide guidelines on what is and is not appropriate in the days before your surgery. Depending on the surgery type and condition, you may need to fast the day before the procedure. You will also likely have to stop any medications that you take daily.
Questions to ask before surgery
It is an excellent practice to get educated about any recommended surgery, especially for elective surgery, i.e., a non-emergency operation. Information is essential because almost all surgical procedures simultaneously carry risks and benefits. Thus, having a holistic understanding of what the process entails becomes necessary. Hence, before your surgery, you may ask your doctor the following questions:
- Why is this procedure necessary?
- What steps are involved in the process?
- Are there any different methods of conducting the procedure? If so, which one are you choosing and why?
- Do I have any alternative treatment choices apart from this procedure?
- How will this surgery be beneficial, and how long will the results last?
- Are there any possible risks or complications involved during or after this operation?
- What is the risk if I decide against this operation?
- Would a second opinion be beneficial? If so, can you make a referral?
- How long will the postoperative recovery period last?
- What lifestyle changes must I make during the recovery period?
How can you prepare for your upcoming surgery?
If you are stressed and overwhelmed about your scheduled surgery, you're not alone—almost every patient goes through similar feelings. Postponing or canceling the procedure may not be ideal as it may exacerbate your situation. Instead, you can focus on preparation tips for a seamless experience before, during, and after the surgery. Here's what you can do:
- Understand your procedure: Knowing what to expect during your treatment and recovery period can significantly ease your anxiety. You can use the above questions to discuss all your doubts and queries with the surgeon during your pre-surgery appointments.
- Discuss your medical history: If you have any chronic health conditions, allergies, recent injuries, or past surgeries, inform your surgeon about everything. They should also know about your medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, and herbal remedies. Knowing your medical history is crucial for them to provide you with specific instructions on preparing for the surgery.
- Make lifestyle and diet changes: Strengthening physical and mental health can keep you calm, minimize the risk of complications, and hasten recovery. Simple strategies like eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, quitting alcohol and nicotine products, getting restful sleep, practicing breathing exercises, and writing a gratitude journal can all help.
- Follow the provider's instructions: The surgeon will list dos and don'ts for you to follow before surgery. For instance, you may have to stop eating and drinking a few hours before the procedure. You will need to take a bath and shave the area the surgeon will operate on. They will also ask you to avoid accessories, makeup, contact lenses, and nail polish.
What to expect after the surgery?
The hospital stay necessary post-surgery will depend on the surgery type and your overall health. Before your discharge from the hospital or clinic, the nurse will explain the at-home care you must undertake. You should avoid strenuous physical activity, such as sports, for some time. After a week or two, you will likely have to revisit for a follow-up evaluation.
It is vital to follow the surgeon's and nurse's instructions diligently to ensure your recovery is on track. Do not hesitate to contact your provider for unusual after-effects or abnormal pain.
Tips to help recover faster after surgery
Here are some simple tips to help speed up recovery after surgery:
- Follow the surgeon's instructions: Some of these instructions may temporarily disrupt your lifestyle, but they are necessary to expedite healing. For example, the surgeon may instruct you not to lift heavy objects, bathe, or swim for the first few weeks after surgery. You must follow these instructions and not disregard them, as they will help with holistic recovery.
- Eat healthy foods: Most people experience a loss of appetite after surgery. Feeling constipated, nauseous, or not feeling any hunger is normal. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, and eat nutrient-rich foods, which help minimize complications and speed up the healing process. Surgeons often suggest appropriate nutrient-rich diets and recommend vitamin supplements that help improve healing.
- Prevent infections: The surgical site is prone to infections until it has healed completely. Therefore, you need to be careful when handling the surgical area. Please wash your hands before touching the injection site and ensure it is clean and moisture-free. Consult your surgeon for the best practices to prevent an infection.
- Cough and sneeze carefully: Any sudden or violent body movement when coughing or sneezing may cause the surgical incision to open and risk complications. Use your hands or a pillow to apply some pressure on the incision. It will help absorb the sudden jerks and keep the sutures intact. Also, try to control your body movements when you cough or sneeze.
- Inspect your wound: Inspect the wound for any signs of fluid drainage or bleeding. Also, check the color of the wound and see if the staples or stitches are intact. Such inspections help understand whether the surgical site is healing correctly or is infected. Follow the doctor's instructions when cleaning the wound.
- Adhere to your follow-up appointment schedule: The surgeon may ask you for follow-up visits two weeks and six weeks after the surgery. After about two weeks, the surgeon may remove the staples and stitches, if any, and check the healing status of the incision. By six weeks, the wound would have healed entirely. If not, they will check the surgical site and may suggest additional medications and follow-ups. Therefore, you must keep up with these follow-ups to prevent complications and ensure holistic healing.
Locating a suitable surgeon near you in Phoenix, Arizona
Now that you know who surgeons are and how they can help you, the next step is to find one that would be the right fit for you. To do so, you may log onto Zocdoc.com, a platform that helps you find the best surgeons.
Zocdoc maintains an extensive database of the top healthcare providers in your region. You can find the best surgeon by entering your location, "Phoenix, Arizona," and symptoms. Furthermore, you can also enter your insurance plan to locate in-network specialists. Once done, a list of relevant doctor profiles will appear.
Do you want to book an appointment with a surgeon accepting patients without insurance? With Zocdoc, it's possible! In the insurance drop-down menu in the search bar, select "I'm paying for myself," acknowledging that you are ready to bear out-of-pocket expenses. You will instantly receive the desired results. If you have any more questions on medical insurance usage, you can check out our patient help center page for detailed answers.
Zocdoc also helps you learn more about a practitioner's licensure, educational qualifications, experience, areas of expertise, awards, and more. You can also read about each surgeon's verified patient ratings and reviews.
Additionally, you can filter the results by hospital affiliations, pediatric training, spoken language, etc. Once you select, you can book an appointment with the surgeon for the same day, the next day, or the weekend. Based on the availability of surgeons near you, you can securely and directly schedule a consultation on Zocdoc—virtual or in-person. All bookings with Zocdoc are entirely free, fast, and secure.
Surgery statistics in Phoenix, Arizona
According to the May 2021 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 280 practicing surgeons in Arizona. The statistics also suggested that there were about 420 orthopedic surgeons, except those specializing in pediatrics, nearly 2,540 surgical technologists, and around 110 surgical assistants.
The Arizona Physician Workforce Profile, released by the Association of American Medical Colleges, concluded that in 2018, there were about 6.9 general surgeons per 100,000 population in the state. Thus, Arizona occupied the 40th rank nationally in the list of active surgeons per state.
Arizona Health Status and Vital Statistics, published by the Arizona Department of Health Services, enumerated that during 2019, about 1,114,477 procedures were performed in the state, resulting in approximately 1550.2 operations per 10,000 inhabitants. This figure increased from 2018's recorded rate of roughly 1523 procedures per 10,000 people. The same study also found that the operations on the body's musculoskeletal system were the most common among Arizona residents, with nearly 84,694 such procedures conducted. Obstetrics procedures came second (75,829), and operations performed on the heart and vessels (62,331) were in third place.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Arizona Department of Health Services
Association of American Medical Colleges
WebMD
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
American College of Surgeons
John Hopkins Medicine
Adventist Health
Washington University School of Medicine
Stanford Medicine
