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What is is like being a cardiothoracic surgeon?
Honestly i know what a Cardiothoracic Surgeon is but i want to know if being a cardiothoracic surgeon affects someones personal life and i just want to know what are somethings someone experiences being a cardiothoracic surgeon or just and type of Surgeon in general
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Sharon’s Answer
Hi Samantha! I am a general surgeon, but I have some insight into the question. Being a cardiothoracic surgeon definitely affects your personal life. You need to go through many years of school and training. During that time, you might find it is easier to delay things, like dating, getting married, having kids, buying a home. That isn't everyone's experience, but it is the case for some. You are expected to work very hard and be at the hospital alot. This is true for all surgeons, but I think even worse for cardiac surgeons, because alot of emergencies come up that only you can handle. I don't want to discourage you, but I want to make sure the answer I give is realistic.
It is still early, so see if you can spend some time shadowing a cardiac or general surgeon to see their day to day work. And if you are undecided, just focus on doing your best in school and deciding whether or not to apply to med school. Everything will fall into place in time. I hope that helps. Good luck!
It is still early, so see if you can spend some time shadowing a cardiac or general surgeon to see their day to day work. And if you are undecided, just focus on doing your best in school and deciding whether or not to apply to med school. Everything will fall into place in time. I hope that helps. Good luck!
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Megan’s Answer
Hello!
For complete transparency I am not a cardiovascular surgeon but a gynecologic surgeon.
Becoming a surgeon is a long but rewarding journey.
College = 4 years
Medical school = 4 years
General surgery residency = 5-6 years
Cardiovascular surgery fellowship = 3 years
So unlike people who start working after high school, college or even a graduate degree like law school (3 years after college) the training to be a surgeon is a longer path.
Anyone working to be a surgeon of any kind it takes long hours during residency and fellowship to get the training - meaning 60 to 80 hours a week versus the standard 40 hour work week. Clearly working these number of hours will subtract from your personal life from time with friends/family/hobbies.
At the same time, most people who want to become a doctor don't really decide what specialty they want to go into until the 3rd year of medical school which is when they are exposed to different specialties.
Life is all about choices. Some who decide to go into surgery may decide to get married early and have children early in college and medical school so that the kids are older/better able to take care of themselves while you are in residency/fellowship. Some will decide that they are too busy so wait until get married or have children. Some choose to not get married or have children. It's whatever works for you and it is your own personal choice.
Most importantly, you have to realize you are not alone and cannot do everything alone.
You will need help to get "everything done" .
It is important to have the support of your friends/family and partner and not be afraid to ask for help.
I have a family member who is a surgeon who is married/ three kids and she has a great nanny who else does house keeping.
I have worked with medical students for over 20 years. I have seen medical students say they want to be a neurosurgeon at the beginning of medical school but then decide to be a pediatrician and vice versa. I have also seen medical students who come in knowing what they want to do, like cancer surgery, and become a cancer surgeon. This is because most people going into medicine have not been exposed to all the specialties - so when they are they may find a different specialty to be more attractive/appealing to them.
At this time, wherever you are in your studies, if you want to go to medical school focus on doing your best and getting into med school.
That is the first step of many steps.
For complete transparency I am not a cardiovascular surgeon but a gynecologic surgeon.
Becoming a surgeon is a long but rewarding journey.
College = 4 years
Medical school = 4 years
General surgery residency = 5-6 years
Cardiovascular surgery fellowship = 3 years
So unlike people who start working after high school, college or even a graduate degree like law school (3 years after college) the training to be a surgeon is a longer path.
Anyone working to be a surgeon of any kind it takes long hours during residency and fellowship to get the training - meaning 60 to 80 hours a week versus the standard 40 hour work week. Clearly working these number of hours will subtract from your personal life from time with friends/family/hobbies.
At the same time, most people who want to become a doctor don't really decide what specialty they want to go into until the 3rd year of medical school which is when they are exposed to different specialties.
Life is all about choices. Some who decide to go into surgery may decide to get married early and have children early in college and medical school so that the kids are older/better able to take care of themselves while you are in residency/fellowship. Some will decide that they are too busy so wait until get married or have children. Some choose to not get married or have children. It's whatever works for you and it is your own personal choice.
Most importantly, you have to realize you are not alone and cannot do everything alone.
You will need help to get "everything done" .
It is important to have the support of your friends/family and partner and not be afraid to ask for help.
I have a family member who is a surgeon who is married/ three kids and she has a great nanny who else does house keeping.
I have worked with medical students for over 20 years. I have seen medical students say they want to be a neurosurgeon at the beginning of medical school but then decide to be a pediatrician and vice versa. I have also seen medical students who come in knowing what they want to do, like cancer surgery, and become a cancer surgeon. This is because most people going into medicine have not been exposed to all the specialties - so when they are they may find a different specialty to be more attractive/appealing to them.
At this time, wherever you are in your studies, if you want to go to medical school focus on doing your best and getting into med school.
That is the first step of many steps.