Week 2 of surgery

Me pretending to be awake and happy after my day. Even though I am exhausted beyond belief, have 12 hours of work under my belt, and a headache from not drinking enough water! yeah surgery!


I just completed day 1 of my 2nd week of surgery. Only 7 more weeks to go, counting this one. (And an update on graduation countdown - 362 days)
I really enjoyed plastic surgery last week. Plastic surgeons can do truly amazing things. There scope of practice is extremely broad. They treat babies to the elderly. Within their surgeries they do vascular, orthopedics, neuro, wound care, and a lot of soft tissue things. They are likely the broadest range surgeons out there. I have yet to see them work with major organs, but aside from that they - do amazing things. The reconstructions they do are phenomenal. It truly is an art.
At the end of last week, I was contemplating the idea of being a plastic surgeon. Not in complete seriousness, but it truly did cross my mind. I think that I am lucky that I didn't find out about how cool plastic surgery was until now, because maybe then I would have somehow found the drive to commit myself to a life of slavery in the OR.

After a full week and one day, and not even having to take call - I have figured out why I truly could never be a surgeon.
1) I like sleep a little too much (even though in residency no one really gets sleep)

2) I like to drink a lot of water in a day. Currently, I restrict my water intake, in fear of needing to scrub out of a case to go pee. Not something that I have ever seen done. (nurses have people to relieve them - docs, residents, and med students - sorry we're on our own)

3) I like to eat about every 3 hours. As a surgeon you stuff your face with food when you get the opportunity. If you're not hungry you still better eat that granola bar before you walk into the OR. Or more often you are so hungry your stomach feels as if it is eating itself and even though you know you are starving you are afraid to eat because you also have the feeling that it might make you sick. (don't worry I still eat regardless of that feeling) (and I learned today that you need a cereal with lots of fiber, Honey Bunches of Oats did not cut it today)

4) My feet like to rest. Even though I have super comfy shoes (dansko) - it hurts to stand all day, your back and feet no longer become your friends. And I now look forward to lecture because it means I get to sit down. Sitting never felt so good.

5) I would someday like a family & be able to spend time with them. I realize as a doctor I will have less time for my family than some, but a little bit of time would be nice.

So there you have my top 5 reasons for not being a surgeon. I could do it if it wasn't for those minor details. The knowledge, the challenge, the information is all very interesting. Plastics is truly amazing (i think you probably get my love for plastic surgery by now). Don't think all that crap of breast implants, face lifts, chin implants, butt lifts, nose jobs, etc are what all plastic surgeons do. I'm not a fan of purely cosmetic surgery for no good reason, but the things I see in the OR everyday never cease to amaze me.
Last week in clinic I saw a woman who had her breasts reconstructed post breast cancer - and later went back to have nipples made out of the skin. I saw her nipples on Friday - they looked good. She said it truly made a difference and made her feel so much better to have nipples. I guess I can understand that. She has to go get them tattooed later so they are the color nipples are supposed to be.

Highlight of my day today - was doing a vertical mattress suture on a leg incision!

Highlight of the weekend - shopping with Melanie! Below are my new dansko non-clog shoes. pretty teal color. I planned my outfit around the shoes today!