General Surgery and Beyond...

A surgeon corrects medical problems through operations to repair injuries and prevent diseases.  They examine patients to make sure surgery is necessary.   A surgeon  reviews reports of the patient's general health and history.  They assess patients' diseases or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures.  They order lab tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures.  A surgeon prescribes medication and performs and supervises surgery to correct physical problems and to repair injuries.  A surgeon cares for patients after surgery.

General surgery is a surgical specialty.  Most general surgeons perform gastrointestinal operations including operations on the liver and spleen, breast operations of benign and malignant disease processes, anorectic operations, laparoscopic and open operations of the hernia, gallbladder, and other abdominal conditions.  Practicing general surgery includes but is not limited to the following surgical diseases:

* Benign and Malignant Breast Diseases
* Ports and Catheters
* Abnormal Mammograms
* Hernias requiring open or laparoscopic repair
* Gallbladder diseases requiring open or laparoscopic
   treatment and removal of common bile duct stones
 
 
 

Centers of Excellence  Education: A surgeon requires the first professional degree.  Many years of training are necessary to become a physician; 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected.  A few medical schools offer a combined undergraduate and medical school program that lasts 6 years instead of the customary 8 years.

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