General Surgery

General surgeons are doctors who specialize in surgical procedures. Surgery is any procedure that alters body tissues to diagnose or treat a medical condition. A general surgeon is part of a surgical team that also includes an anesthesiologist, nurses, and surgical technicians. You’ll talk to the surgeon about the procedure prior to surgery.

Some surgeries require surgeons who specialize in certain things, like cardiac (heart) surgeons or neurosurgeons (brain surgeons), but not all. That’s why there are general surgeons.

A general surgeon has specialized knowledge of the entire surgical process, from the initial evaluation through preparation, procedure, and post-operative management. A general surgeon understands all nine basic areas of surgery, which are:

• 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 management of traumatic injuries
• Care of critically ill patients with surgical needs