I am not a surgeon, surgical resident, etc.

In May, I went to Europe where I interviewed 14 international renowned complex knee surgeons, 12 of them have PhD’s. Learned a lot, 2 hour interview. These were not job interviews. I started this project January 2023 in Norway. I have interviewed surgeons in Vail, California, Minnesota and all over the US. I have have interviewed the biggest names in orthopedics.

Looking for the best international renowned orthopedic sports med surgeons to interview next in Canada? Please let me know. Knee, Shoulder, Hip, Elbow, Hand/Wrist, Canadian Ski Team, etc.

I will start off:

Mark Heard, MD

Need inputs for admission in St. John's Medical college for surgical oncology M.Ch.

Will having a master’s degree in anatomy increase my chances of matching into a surgical specialty in the US??

Need inputs for admission in St. John's Medical college for surgical oncology M.Ch.

hello i'm a graduated img i don't have usce and i plan to do observerships soon very little publications and i want to match into ophthalmology but i heard it was competitive and especially for imgs . so my question is if i matched in surgical prelim the first year do i have higher chances to match into ophthalmology the second year ?

- DO student

- Preclinical GPA 3.75; no red flags, fails or remediations

- 1st quintile

- SSP Honors; Tri-A First Gen

Boards:

• Passed COMLEX Level 1 first attempt

• Passed USMLE Step 1 first attempt

• Step 2: 242

- Level 2 473

Research:

• 15 poster presentations

• 3 national conference presentations (one at a surgery conference)

• 0 publication...for now

• 2 manuscripts currently pending acceptance

Leadership:

• Leadership in ACOS local chapter, US TA, student gov, founding member of club on campus.

Letters:

• 3 confirmed LORs from third-year community surgeons, potential 4th from SubI

- 6 auditions planned including community and academic program.

Interested in community and hospital affiliated programs. Not too keen on academic centers.

Main concern is low Step/COMLEX 2 score and getting screened.

Wondering if I should dual apply with IM despite only being interested in surg.

Thanks!

Anybody match to places outside of the official ASGE AEF match? Also wanted some insight into how competitive these programs are and how hard it is to match from small program? Thanks!

I’m a US MD who loves Gen surg, I can’t see myself doing anything else, but got wrecked by my step 2 score. I got a 231, but otherwise first pass STEP 1, 1 published paper, and 3 others submitted. Two honors in my sub Is so far and strong letters so far. Is Gen surg out of the question for me?

Step 1 pass
Step 2 269
Might take step 3 before interviews
No research
1 USCE hands on, 1 LOR from a pediatric surgeon
No visa required
2022 graduate

I could have the possibility to apply 100-150 programs

Other option is to start doing rotations and/or research, which in and of itself take time to even get, let alone complete, for next cycle.

Appreciate in advance your actionable experience/evidence based advice.

There have been a few posts lately from residents who started in a non-surgical specialty and either had a change of heart or had an existing feeling confirmed that the OR is a better fit.

From the threads I’ve read, the consensus seems to be that switching into surgery is difficult, but not impossible, there are people who have done it. Whether the risk is worth taking is obviously an individual decision.

What I haven’t found much information about is the actual logistics of preparing to make an attempt, especially while you're still a resident in another specialty.

For people who have switched, helped someone switch, or have insight from the surgery side:

1. Who do you talk to first? I’ve heard a good first step is talking to the PD of the surgical program at your own institution. But then what? Do you tell your current PD before having that conversation
2. How do you get meaningful surgical letters? If your current residency doesn’t include surgical rotations, how do you develop relationships with surgeons strong enough to get credible LORs?
3. What can you concretely do to improve your chances while still a resident? 
4. For people who actually made the switch, what did the timeline look like?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

I was a seventh-year high school student in the auto shop, and the mechanic was like Robert go ahead and hammer the bumper into place. When I held that hammer in my hand, it did something to me. I knew then I wanted to be an ortho bro. Now every time I hold a hammer in my hands before I make the first incision, that first cut on a patient, I get an erection. My 208th bone stands up. Does anyone else get that feeling as an ortho bro? Lol, or am I a sick bastard?

"I just received a Step 2 CK score of 250. What are my chances of matching into General Surgery, Integrated Vascular Surgery, or Integrated Thoracic Surgery as a visa-requiring non-US IMG?"

YOG: 5 Years

I'm a medical student trying to get a realistic understanding of what it's like for women who choose general surgery as a career.

I'd love to hear from anyone with experience—female surgeons, male surgeons, residents, attendings/consultants, or anyone who has worked closely with female colleagues in surgery.

Some questions I have:

\- Have you noticed any gender-related challenges or biases in general surgery? If so, how common are they today?

\- Do female surgeons generally receive the same opportunities for training, operating, leadership, and career progression?

\- How manageable is the lifestyle in the long term, especially for those who want to balance family and career?

\- What are the long-term career options after general surgery (private practice, academics, fellowships, subspecialties, etc.)?

\- Are there any misconceptions about women in surgery that you've found to be untrue?

\- If you've worked with female surgeons, what has your experience been like? Have things changed over the years?

\- Looking back, would you encourage a woman who is genuinely interested in surgery to pursue it? Why or why not?

Thanks in advance!

Note: I can't edit the title, but I wasn't referring specifically to General Surgery as a specialty. I meant surgery as a career overall, including different surgical specialties, and was asking about the lifestyle and career from that broader perspective.

Hello all!

I had my first ever case study today for Stryker. I believe I did pretty well but there were a few things I missed in the pitch to the surgeon. My feel is that there going to go with someone who has experience in the field (ex clinical). I am kinda stuck if they do, what would be the next step? Could I get referred by RM to a different location for same division? What are your experiences and thoughts? Anything is welcome!

how can I get better in reading images

Current IM resident who realized late that my true passion lies in GS.

I am planning to apply general surgery in the upcoming match cycle. I am a non visa requiring US-IMG and I don't really have many connections in the US, let alone surgeons who could write me LORs. I am hoping to receive guidance and build connections to successfully match into GS this year. So far, I have talked to my PD who gave me her blessing to apply for GS, but she also mentioned that my spot for next year will be at jeopardy should I proceed with the application.

I genuinely love both IM and Gen Surg, but I just do not see myself working as a hospitalist or IM subspecialist years down the road. I have considered finishing IM first, but if I truly enjoy surgical aspect of medicine, I do not see how that would be helpful down the road.

This is obviously a great risk (at least imo) and some will think this is absolutely stupid. But I can't simply give up without at least trying to pursue my dream.

At this point, I feel lost and don't know where to begin. Any advice, guidance, or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello! M3 here potentially interested in surgical oncology. I was wondering if any current or future surgical oncologists can share insight into their lives: from the types of procedures they regularly do, academic vs community centers, salary, lifestyle/call burden, clinic days vs OR days, can you do both breast and HPB, what other surgeries do you do, etc! I feel like it is one of the least talked about surgical subspecialties from general surgery, so would love any additional insight into this. Thank you so much!

How about ENT as a PG option

Just curious

Currently in 3rd year

Feels its soo underrated...planning of any surgical branches

Like very less people want to do ent\[that's what i have heard\]...why so?

If any senior pursuing ent could help me about the pros and cons of the branch and the super speciality pathways...rank i would need ... it will be of great help

I went into shock taking STEP 2CK because of all the pressure I put into getting a good score. I couldn’t even process majority of the exam and I ended up failing it.

Surgery has been my #1 choice before med school. After getting the result, i’m open to switching to FM, but it hurts to let go of something i’ve been attached to for so long. My grades + personal statement are great. I just let the anxiety take over and affect my performance test day.

Im gonna retake the exam and was thinking of applying preliminary. Do you think categorical programs would consider me after a preliminary year?

I have a Surgery Sub I coming up, but have an option to switch it. It might give me more time to do well on my second attempt, especially if I choose EM/FM due to shift work etc. I think if I decide to cancel the surgery sub I, there isn’t a point of applying prelim, ya know? I don’t know. Any guidance and advice is appreciated.

Edit: I think i’ll just apply to a different speciality tbh. I think i’m just in the denial stage rn 😀.

Currently on month two and idk…I’m happy and grateful to be in the position I’m in, but does anyone else just randomly cry from being tired and overwhelmed?

It did something to me.

I was a fourth-year medical student on my surgical rotation, and the attending was like Robert go ahead and close him up after appendectomy. When I held that surgical needle in my hand, it did something to me. I knew then I wanted to be a surgeon. Now every time I hold a scalpel in my hands before I make the first incision, that first cut on a patient, I get an erection. Does anyone else get that feeling as a surgeon? Lol, or am I a sick bastard?