What does a surgeon do?
A surgeon is a doctor trained in using operative techniques to manage specific conditions or injuries. You may visit a surgeon to treat an injury, repair a damaged body part, or improve your physical appearance. A surgeon typically leads a team of doctors and nurses in an operating room, using instruments such as lasers, ultrasound, ionizing, scalpels, and needles, among other equipment.
Surgeons perform two types of surgery: open and minimally invasive. While open surgery requires cutting through the skin, minimally invasive surgery requires minimum surgical incisions, resulting in less trauma. It also takes less recovery time than open surgery. However, not all surgeries may have a minimally invasive option.
Education and training to become a surgeon
The path to becoming a surgeon involves intensive training and education. After four years of medical school, one may choose a four-year surgical specialty residency program. Some surgery specialties include:
- General surgery: Operates on a wide range of conditions that can impact any part of the body.
- Colon and rectal surgery: Deals with issues in the intestines.
- Neurosurgery: Skilled in dealing with conditions related to the brain and nervous system.
- OBGYN surgery: Surgical procedures for pregnant women, delivery, and postnatal care, as well as other concerns related to the female reproductive system.
- Ophthalmologic surgery: Operates to correct eye and vision problems.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Operates on the head, neck, face, and jaw.
- Orthopedic surgery: Treats musculoskeletal issues, which include muscles, bones, joints, and associated nerves.
- ENT surgery: Specializes in dealing with the ear, nose, and throat.
- Pediatric surgery: Surgically managing disorders in children.
- Plastic and maxillofacial surgery: Performs cosmetic as well as reconstructive surgeries.
- Thoracic surgery: Specializes in operating on the heart and other organs in the chest.
- Urosurgey: Operates on the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate, urethra, and testes.
- Vascular surgery: Operates on the circulatory system.
A general surgeon is skilled in providing surgical care in multiple possible cases. The care includes diagnosis and preoperative, operative, and postoperative care. They manage nine primary areas of surgery, including the digestive tract, abdomen, skin, soft tissue, the neck and head, heart and blood vessels, endocrine system, surgical treatment of cancer, and traumatic injuries. You can also consult a general surgeon to ascertain a need for surgery and what kind of surgery would suit you.
Types of surgical procedures
Surgical procedures can be broadly divided into categories based on urgency, location, purpose, level of invasiveness, and types of instruments and techniques used.
Depending on the level of urgency, a procedure may be classified as elective, semi-elective, or emergency. Additionally, surgeries can be classified as genitourinary (reproductive and urinary organs), gastrointestinal (digestive tract), hepatic (liver), neurologic (nervous system), nephrotic (kidneys), orthopedic (bones and joints), and others based on their location.
Further, an operation can be exploratory (diagnostic), therapeutic, cosmetic, corrective, or reconstructive based on its objective. In some cases, the purpose could also be amputation or organ transplantation. A procedure may be minimally invasive or necessitate open surgery, depending on the level of invasiveness. Lastly, you may undergo robotic surgery, laser surgery, microsurgery, laparoscopic surgery ("keyhole surgery"), or angioplasty.
Common surgeries done by surgeons
Surgeons receive advanced training to perform various types of surgeries. Some of the most common surgeries performed in the United States include the following:
- Angioplasty: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves passing a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter through the atherosclerotic plaque causing the blockage. After that, a deflated balloon attached to the catheter is inflated to open the narrow artery wall. Then, a stent is placed to help support the wall and keep it open. Surgeons often perform the surgery after a heart attack or an episode of chest pain.
- Spinal fusion: Surgeons perform a spinal fusion to help treat degenerative disc disease (DDD). The surgery aims to correct the spine's deformities by fusing two or more vertebrae. It helps decrease motion and increase stability. During the procedure, surgeons can replace the damaged disc with a bone graft to stimulate bone growth. Over time, the absent disc's space gradually fills with bone and fuses with the vertebrae.
- Cholecystectomy: Surgeons perform cholecystectomy as a primary treatment for various gallbladder diseases. The procedure involves removing the gallbladder when it causes pain to the patient. Generally, gallstones do not cause any symptoms and do not warrant treatment. Moreover, there are a few non-surgical procedures to help individuals who are at high risk of undergoing surgery.
- Colorectal resection: Colorectal resection is a surgical procedure to remove part of the colon or rectum. It is commonly used in managing Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although not a cure, it helps manage symptoms and improve one's quality of life.
What comprises surgical care?
Surgeons can perform procedures on an inpatient or outpatient basis. They are typically in charge of a surgical team, which includes a surgical assistant, surgical technologist, circulating nurse, cardiac perfusionist, anesthesiologist, and registered nurse. All in all, the surgeon is responsible for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care.
The primary purpose of preoperative care is to ensure the patient is prepared for surgery. This stage could last for a short time or involve extensive preparation, including weight loss, preoperative testing, and waiting for the arrival of an organ for transplant. Although the surgeon may conduct the assessment, nurses most frequently do it in hospitals. The final decision to proceed after reviewing the results rests with the surgeon. Before the procedure, surgeons should meet with the patient to address concerns and allay their fears.
The period between when a patient is wheeled into surgery and when they are wheeled out to the recovery room is known as the intraoperative phase. The procedure will eventually require an incision. For instance, multiple keyhole incisions would be necessary to insert the scope and surgical tools during a laparoscopy. In contrast, an angiography would only need a small incision in the arm or leg. The more common type of surgery, open surgery, involves making a larger incision with a scalpel. The surgeon would wash their hands, wrists, and forearms thoroughly for at least four minutes before donning sterile gloves on both hands.
The surgeon's primary duty during the postoperative period is managing surgical complications. They would review the results with the patient and discuss any positive or negative findings. The surgeon will ensure proper long-term follow-up if a postoperative issue persists.
When should you visit a surgeon?
Surgeries can either be emergent or elective. Emergent surgeries are for urgent, life-threatening situations, while elective surgeries are not performed immediately but may not always be optional. You may see a surgeon when:
- You want to learn more about a condition or to get confirmation on treatment options. This is especially important if your doctor has recommended surgery and you want to know more about your treatment options.
- You need emergency surgery: A surgeon will help with emergencies such as appendicitis, hernia, gallstones, or even a gunshot wound.
- You choose an elective procedure: An elective surgery can be discussed and scheduled with a surgeon. Elective surgery can include repairing or removing diseased tissue or organs, changing your appearance, or even transplanting organs.
Once you decide to visit a surgeon, you must book an appointment with a surgeon specializing in your condition.
What to expect at a surgeon's appointment?
At your first appointment, the surgeon will try to understand your concerns and review your existing medical records. They will explain the procedure and clear any doubts or concerns. If the need for surgery has been ascertained, you will be informed about how to prepare for it. You will also be informed about any previous tests and medications that are required. Your surgeon will specify if you must stop eating, drinking, or taking any medicines before the surgery and also explain what you can expect during recovery. They will mention how long you can expect to be in the hospital, whether you require a hospital stay, and what you need once you go home.
How to prepare for surgery?
It is imperative to have all your concerns cleared before you undergo surgery. You can raise the below queries to your doctor:
- What are the procedures and risks involved?
- Do I need to fast or skip any medications before the surgery?
- What are my options for anesthesia?
- What can I expect post-surgery?
- Do I need a hospital stay?
- How do I manage pain or other symptoms once I am home?
Discuss any existing health problems and current medications with the surgeon. You should also mention if you or your family members have had an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Having friends and family to support you also goes a long way in recovery.
Tips to recover from surgery
Undergoing surgery and subsequent recovery can be physically demanding. The duration of the recovery period is individualized and influenced by various factors.
Variables affecting the timeline for healing encompass the nature of the surgery, your general health condition, the available support network, and your determination to recuperate. Your actions during recovery can either expedite or impede the healing process.
Adhere to your healthcare provider's guidance
This counsel is likely to be reiterated, and for good reason. Healthcare providers have gained valuable insights from postoperative patients who selectively follow instructions. It's crucial to recognize that every directive serves a purpose.
While specific guidelines may seem restrictive, such as refraining from activities like bathing, swimming, or lifting anything exceeding 10 pounds during the initial post-surgery weeks, seeking clarification from your doctor rather than resisting the advice is more productive.
Attend your scheduled follow-up visits
Routine post-surgical follow-up appointments are typically recommended at the two-week and six-week marks following the procedure.
During the two-week visit, your surgeon will assess the healing progress of the incision, removing stitches or staples if necessary. By the sixth-week appointment, the incision is expected to be primarily healed; however, if not, further follow-up may be required with the surgeon near you.
Despite feeling well and witnessing positive healing, some patients may consider skipping follow-up appointments due to perceived unnecessary expenses and time consumption. Yet, these appointments are crucial. Healthcare providers not only assess your well-being and incision healing but also examine potential signs of infection and may adjust medications. Thus, attending follow-up appointments is vital for comprehensive post-surgical care.
Recognize when to visit the emergency room
The postoperative guidelines provided should clearly outline situations warranting emergency care. In general, promptly contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Excessive bleeding
- Inability to retain food or water
- Breathing difficulties
- Evident signs of infection
- Challenges with urination
If you cannot reach your surgeon, consulting your primary care healthcare provider or heading to the emergency room is advisable. It is prudent to err on the side of caution during recovery after surgery.
Find the best surgeon near you in San Antonio, Texas
Looking for a qualified surgeon close to you can be challenging. Visit Zocdoc, where you can book an appointment with the best surgeons in your city with just a few clicks. To start, enter your location and the specialty you are looking for on the Zocdoc website. Add your preferred date for the appointment and your insurance details. You can now access a directory of top surgeons in San Antonio. You can also update your Zocdoc account’s insurance information or upload a picture of your health plan card on the Zocdoc app. It will help you find auto-filtered results of surgeons within your insurance network. Check out Zocdoc’s patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
Moreover, you can filter your results by gender, hospital affiliations, languages spoken, and whether the practitioner treats children.
All practitioners listed on Zocdoc have a detailed profile with information about their education, experience, expertise, board certifications, and awards. You can also find patient ratings and verified reviews under each profile. This information will help you find and choose the right surgeon near you. Zocdoc also lets you book virtual consultations along with in-person appointments. All appointment bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Surgery-related statistics in Texas and the US
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2009), around 48 million inpatient surgical procedures were reported in the US. According to reports by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in children. For adults over 45 years of age, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular procedures were among the most common ones. Data USA states that there were around 55,800 surgeons in the country in 2022.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there have been nearly 15.6 million cosmetic procedures, including nose reshaping, facelifts, and liposuction, in 2018. About 6.8 million procedures, such as tumor removal, maxillofacial surgery, and hand surgery, were performed in reconstructive surgeries.
As per National Library of Medicine, between 2013-14, about 20,454 colectomies were performed in Texas. Of these, nearly 60.35% were open colectomies (OC), almost 36.8% were laparoscopic colectomies (LC), and about 3.9% were robot-assisted colectomies (RAC). The average total cost for OC was ≈$117,113. For LC, it was ≈$75,741.9, while for RAC, it was ≈$81,996.2. The average hospital stay was 10.6 days for OC, 6.1 days for LC, and 5.1 days for RAC.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Data USA
NIH
Verywell Health [1]
Verywell Health [2]
Verywell Health [3]
Verywell Health [4]
Verywell Health [5]
Verywell Health [6]
Writer’s note: American Society of Plastic Surgeons is a dead link. New links added in existing style of the live (Zocdoc) web page.
