A surgeon is a specialist who treats illness, injury, or emergency conditions in the body through surgical methods (operative) and drugs. To become a surgeon, one must complete the education and profession of a general practitioner, then complete the education of a specialist in surgery.
In practice, surgeons often receive referrals from general practitioners or other specialists regarding the condition of patients requiring surgery. Then, the surgeon will make a diagnosis according to his expertise and knowledge to determine whether or not a surgical procedure is needed.
In dealing with patients, general surgeons are in charge of treating patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. When a surgical procedure is performed, the surgeon works closely with the anesthesiologist and nurses in the operating room in treating the patient.
Subspecialty Branch of General Surgeon
In addition to general surgery, a general surgeon can explore deeper skills and knowledge which are divided into several sub-specialties, namely:
- Digestive or gastrointestinal surgery.
- Pediatric surgery.
- Surgical oncology.
- Head and neck surgery.
- Breast surgery.
- Endocrine surgery, for hormone-producing glands including the thyroid.
- Vascular surgery (vascular & endovascular).
- Emergencies and injuries (traumatology)
- Transplant (organ transplant) treatment and surgery.
Actions performed by the surgeon
Some of the actions performed by general surgeons include:
- Provide consultation, information, and education to patients and their families regarding their illness.
- Diagnose disease based on physical examination and supporting examinations. The supporting examinations include laparoscopy, endoscopy, radiological examination including ultrasound, X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, PET-scan, and laboratory examinations.
- Biopsy (taking tissue samples) for example on lumps or tumors in certain body parts such as bones, skin, intestines, or lymph nodes.
- Performing therapy in the form of invasive surgery (open surgery) or minimally invasive (small incisions or even without incisions) and the management of complications. Surgery can be elective (scheduled earlier), or emergency (should be done as soon as possible).
- Surgery for appendicitis, hernias, mastectomy (removal of the breast), colectomy (removal of the large intestine), gallbladder removal, and amputations.
- Emergency surgery, such as in cases of perforation of the appendix, peritonitis, liver abscess, rupture of esophageal varices, intestinal obstruction, complications of gastric ulcer (bleeding or leaking stomach), hernia incarcerated, and pneumothorax.
- Creation of access for dialysis procedures through a vein or abdominal cavity.
- Wound management and care including burns, wound infections, and postoperative wounds.
- Perform patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures, including planning surgical rehabilitation therapy.
Diseases Treated by General Surgeons
Surgeons treat diseases that require surgery as a treatment. Some of these diseases include:
- Appendix.
- Peritonitis.
- Liver abscess.
- Benign tumors, such as lipomas, fibromas, and adenomas.
- Tumors or cancer in certain organs, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and stomach cancer.
- hernia.
- Injuries/wounds such as stab wounds and burns.
- Congenital defects (birth defects).
- Biliary disorders, such as gallstones, infections and inflammation of the bile.
- Fractures and bone dislocations.
What to prepare before meeting a surgeon
In order for the surgeon to decide whether surgery or other procedures are necessary, the patient will be asked to undergo a series of medical examinations, especially if they have:
- Heavy smoking habits or have high blood pressure.
- Blood clotting problems.
- Diabetes or having high blood sugar before surgery.
- Obstructive sleep apnea in which breathing may stop or choking may occur during sleep.
- Drug allergies, including drug allergies.
- Heart, liver and kidney disorders.
Examinations that are usually performed before surgery include:
- Complete physical examination.
- Laboratory tests, including a complete blood count and blood sugar.
- EKG (electrocardiogram) to assess the electrical work of the heart.
- Endoscopy.
- X-rays, CT-scans, MRIs, and PET-scans.
During the consultation, several questions need to be asked of the surgeon regarding the surgical procedure to be undertaken, namely:
- How is surgery done?
- What type of incision is needed? Is the surgery open, non-invasive or minimally invasive (requires only small incisions), or the laparoscopic type?
- Do you have to fast before surgery?
- Is this surgery risky?
- How long does the healing process take?
- How to care for postoperative wounds?
If you have insurance, both private and government-owned, for procedures performed by general surgeons, prepare the necessary files so that the costs can be borne by the insurance company, according to the type of protection.