Gyn Surgery

Oh my! Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner (12 days). I still feel there is still so much to do! Only a few more days working in the ob/gyn clinic before taking my exam and then finally getting to fly back to Cali! Yeaaaahhhhh can't wait.

The last couple of days I have spent observing gyn surgery. I've seen quite a few hysterectomies. They can do them vaginally, laproscopically, or open (transabdominally). Laproscopic surgery is when they place 3 ports in your stomach - 1 in your belly button (camera) and 2 laterally. They puff your abdomen up with air so they are able to see and move around once inside. Then the other 2 ports are used for various tools to remove pieces, etc. It's really interesting to see a person's anatomy that way - relatively undisturbed.
Something I found surprising was that a normal sized uterus is smaller than I thought - probably about the size of a 3-4 inch apple maybe. Not as big as one would expect. And it's an amazing organ, especially after you think about how large it must become to accomodate a baby!

I thought there was a possibility of me really enjoying surgery, because I really enjoyed dissecting in anatomy. The human body truly is amazing. It fascinates me to dissect and see how all the different parts fit together, work together, and how it appears so seamless. If you gave me a chance to dissect another cadaver (without all the studying and stress that goes with anatomy) I would probably jump at the opportunity. But...not so sure surgery is for me. Don't get me wrong - I think it is truly astounding what is being done in some of the operating rooms today. But I just don't think I want to be the one doing it. A general surery residency is way too long for meand I want a life. As a gynecologist - your surgeries are all about the va-jay jay and it's friends. Not so sure I really want to have my head stuck in a woman's parts for the rest of my career life. Unless a baby was coming out. The Obstetrics part, I loved. C-sections I also truly enjoyed, but surgery - not so much.

Here's a random piece of advice for you. If you are going in for laproscopic surgery at any point in the future - make sure you clean your belly button before you go! They'll clean it for you once you are knocked out and you would be amazed at what they find in some peoples' belly buttons. You don't want to be that person! haha :)


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Ok, in order to earn my way back on my Aunt's good side. She sent me a much better picture of her and the new hubby!
Tell me he doens't look like Old St. Nick! :)