General surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgical procedures. They are trained to diagnose and manage a wide range of diseases and disorders that may require surgical treatment. General surgeons have specialized knowledge of the entire surgical process, from the initial evaluation through preparation, procedure, and post-operative management. They have a broad knowledge of many different diseases and conditions and will recommend whether surgery is necessary and what kind of surgery would be appropriate.
Here are some of the areas of expertise of a general surgeon:
- The digestive tract
- The abdomen and its contents
- The skin and soft tissue, including the breasts
- The head and neck
- The blood vessels and heart
- The endocrine system (hormones and glands)
- Surgical treatment of cancer
General surgeons perform a wide range of surgeries, including but not limited to:
- Gallbladder removal
- Complex hernia repairs
- Appendectomy
- Colon and rectal surgery
- Breast surgery
- Thyroid surgery
- Skin and soft tissue surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Vascular surgery
To become a general surgeon, a person must complete four years of medical school and then a five-year residency in general surgery. Some general surgeons go on to do two- to three-year fellowships in surgical subspecialties. General surgeons may also seek board certification from an organization such as the American Board of Surgery.
