Dear reader, I understand you are very curious to know “how long does it take to become a surgeon?” Well here is what you need to know first.
Surgeons use procedures to address illnesses, deformities, and injuries. A surgeon uses a variety of tools to treat physical deformities, treat bone and tissue damage from accidents, or perform elective or preventive procedures on patients.
Who is a Surgeon?
A doctor with surgical training is referred to as a surgeon. In order to perform the procedures required to examine disease, repair or remove damaged tissues, or enhance the function or look of an organ or body part, it is a career that requires extraordinary manual dexterity and fine motor abilities.
While doing surgery, surgeons frequently operate in sterile settings and may stand for extended periods of time. To provide care for their patients, many work sporadic, late-night hours and may travel between their offices and hospitals. They can have to take care of a patient’s issues over the phone or visit a hospital or nursing home in an emergency while they are on call.
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How Long Does it Take to Become a Surgeon?
A general surgeon must complete at least 13 years of training and education. Expect to extend the course by one to two years for those who want to specialize. Ophthalmology, gynecology, podiatry, and dentistry are just a few of the medical specializations that doctors might practice in, but surgery is its own field and has a profession devoted only to surgical treatments.
The term “general surgery” refers to operations that primarily treat the abdomen but, when necessary, may also treat other body parts or conditions. Due to the size of the surgical field, many surgeons choose to pursue extra training in order to focus on a particular disease, population, or method. The following are some of the most popular subspecialties:
Cardiothoracic Surgery
A physician with specialization in operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest is known as a cardiothoracic surgeon. This includes doctors who practice general thoracic surgery, congenital heart surgery, cardiac surgery, and cardiovascular surgery.
Following their graduation from medical school, cardiothoracic surgeons will either complete a 6-year integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency or a 5-year general surgery residency program followed by a 2- or 3-year cardiothoracic surgery residency program.
Except for congenital heart surgery, which necessitates completing a 1-year fellowship, extra training in a subspecialized area is a choice made by some cardiothoracic surgeons.
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgeons are medically trained neurosurgery specialists who can assist patients with back and neck discomfort as well as a variety of other conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia, head injuries, and Parkinson’s disease. They are not simply brain surgeons.
A medical professional must complete the following tasks to become a neurosurgeon:
- A four-year degree from an accredited medical school.
- Successfully completed a one-year surgical internship in any Department of Neurological Surgery, which develops the foundational clinical skills.
- Seven years in the American Council on Graduate Medical Education-accredited neurosurgery residency program (ACGME).
Neurosurgeons receive comprehensive training in all areas of neurosurgery throughout this residency program, including the cerebrovascular system, the spine and spinal cord, trauma, tumors, pain control, and pediatric surgery. A minimum of 60 months must be spent teaching residents in the neurological sciences, of which at least 36 months must be spent in clinical neurosurgery and at least 3 months in clinical neurology.
Following their residency, some neurosurgeons choose to undergo a second fellowship in a specific field of specialized study.
Neurosurgeons complete further relevant training after completing their residency study and are then board certified.
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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, often known as maxillofacial surgeons, are specialists in treating injuries to and diseases of the head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face.
Maxillofacial surgeons typically undertake operations to address health issues or improve appearance. These operations take place in an outpatient setting. They may also arrange follow-up appointments and give you instructions on how to recover following the procedure.
Medical professionals with specialized training in maxillofacial surgery are known as maxillofacial surgeons. Due to the emphasis on the oral region, most maxillofacial surgeons enroll in dentistry school for four years immediately following completing their bachelor’s degree.
The following is what maxillofacial surgeons must do after finishing dental school:
- A four to six-year residency program where the dentist focuses on surgery. Spending an additional two years to earn a medical degree in addition to their dentistry degree is included in the six-year prospective time frame.
- A test for American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery certification.
- The surgeon can then pursue a two-year fellowship and exam in craniofacial surgery and pediatrics, head and neck cancer, cosmetic face surgery, or cranio-maxillofacial trauma if they wish to specialize in one of these fields.
Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery
Complex fractures, shattered bones, and other injuries brought on by traumatic occurrences are the specialty of an orthopedic trauma surgeon. These traumatic events, such as slips and falls, vehicle accidents, or even harsh sports injuries, can cause serious problems with the bones and joints, including not just breakage but also misalignments and malunions. Orthopedic surgery addresses these problems. It is unquestionably always advisable to get the right treatment from a doctor who specializes in orthopedics, and trauma in particular, in the event of a trauma.
Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery)
An otolaryngologist is a medical professional who focuses on issues with the head and neck. The term otorhinolaryngology, which derives from the Greek words for ear, nose, and throat (oto, rhino), is condensed to otolaryngology (laryn). Problems with the ear, nose, and throat were the exclusive focus of otolaryngologists in the past. They are still sometimes referred to as ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists or ENT doctors.
Otolaryngologists attend medical school for four years. They then receive specific instruction for at least five years. Finally, students must succeed on a test to earn American Board of Otolaryngology certification. Some additionally complete one or two years of speciality training.
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric surgeons are medical professionals with a focus on treating children. They have received training to do surgeries on infants, kids, and teenagers. One of the most time-consuming and difficult training programs in medicine is to become a pediatric surgeon. If your child requires surgery, some of the most specialized, educated, and skilled surgeons in the field will be caring for them.Children’s surgeons are medical professionals that have:
- Four years or more in medical school
- A further five years of general surgery
- Pediatric surgery residency training for two more years
- The American Board of Surgery‘s recognition
Pediatric surgeons work with kids from birth through late adolescence. They make pediatric care a priority in their medical practices and learn the particulars of pediatric medical and surgical care through specialized training and hands-on experience.
Plastic Surgery
Reconstructive surgeries are the primary focus of plastic surgeons. They treat patients with birth defects, wounds, diseases, or burns. Many plastic surgeons decide to specialize in cosmetic surgery, performing operations to alter a patient’s aesthetics or look. However, not every plastic surgeon also practices cosmetic surgery.
One of the medical specialties with the highest competition is plastic surgery. It could take up to 10 years. Prospective plastic surgeons have two options after graduating from medical school or osteopathic medical school:
- A six-year residency program mixing plastic surgery and general surgery
- A 3-year plastic surgery fellowship after a 5-year surgical residency
Candidates then take a test to practice plastic surgery in their state. By enrolling in a 1- or 2-year fellowship in a field of specialization, they can continue their study.
Urological Surgery
One of the broadest categories of surgery is urology. It deals with conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, and prostate. This includes incontinence, impotence, infertility, cancer, and reconstruction of the genito-urinary tract. It treats patients of all ages and both sexes, from little children to senior pensioners.
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Vascular Surgery
Doctors who specialize in treating diseases and conditions of the vascular system, the web of arteries and veins that transports blood throughout the body, are known as vascular surgeons. However, vascular surgeons perform more than just surgery. They give their patients advice on all available treatment options for vascular issues, including medication, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications.
Medical professionals who specialize in treating circulatory problems include vascular surgeons. There are three ways to become a vascular surgeon after medical school. They consist of:
- The 5+2 track consists of 5 years of general surgery residency followed by an additional 2 years of vascular surgery.
- The 4+2 route provides for early admission into vascular surgery and entails a 4-year general surgery residency followed by a 2-year vascular surgery fellowship.
- The 0+5 track consists of a 3-year residency in vascular surgery and a 2-year core surgical training program.
Doctors who select the 5+2 track or the 4+2 track after completing their residency are qualified to sit for the general surgery and vascular surgery boards. The only specialty in which doctors who select the 0+5 track are certified is vascular surgery.
In conclusion:
Although the majority of surgical residencies are five years long, some can run up to eight or nine. The intern year is the first year of residency. After that, academic surgeons would instruct patients in general surgery for the following three to four years. Similarly, a subspecialty, like thoracic or vascular surgery, may require you to complete an additional two to three years of training.