Ack!!! Feeling lightheaded!

[Deanmonster]

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Does it get any easier??

So I was watching a colonoscopy the other day and the doctor was cauterizing this guys tumor and I almost passed out!!! It was really gross, but I don't think I should be so weak if I'm going to be a doctor. Even worse, I want to be a surgeon!

This happened to me one other time when I was watching a brain surgery. Does it get better or am I doomed?

 

[W222]

I can say that from doing animal surgeries and watching a boatload of human surgeries it got better for me. I use to get a nasty feeling in my stomach but thats gone. It was mainly smells that bother me and make me feel sick, I'm over it though. I think it gets better. On one occasion I sorta had a panic attack and started laughing my @ss off because I saw a patient naked, the Doc I was with understood though, which was nice.

 

[DrThom]

I hear ya with the smells...they always get to me

After about 10 seconds of cutting with a bovie pen and the burnt flesh smell hits it drives me nuts

 

[Agent Splat]

If it's what you really want to do, you will eventually get used to it. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you find yourself practically jumping in front of the surgeon to get a closer look someday.

Until then, try looking at www.vesalius.com Photo "journals" of various surgeries are available to look at free each week; perhaps that will help you curb your difficulties. Don't worry, the same stuff used to happen to me...I saw an open heart surgery on TLC once a long time ago, when there was actually stuff to be learned on the Learning Channel, and it took me awhile before I could eat corned beef again. Now it's some of the home-makeovers on TLC that are making me sick to my stomach. (brown walls?? what were they thinking?)

Best wishes!
--Marc

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

If you have the opportunity to volunteer at a major ER, I would reccommend doing so. I've been exposed to a multitiude of grotesque wounds in the ER, including gun shots, stab wounds, punctured eyeballs, etc. It might be a first step towards facing your fears.

 

[USCDiver]

I had a similar reaction the first couple of times I watched 'procedures' in high school... cardiac cath, transesophageal echo, inguinal hernia under local anesthesia. I'll just say that going through Gross Anatomy got rid of all of that. Don't worry, it happens to a lot of people

 

[Deanmonster]

Thanks guys, I needed to hear that. I guess I just need to get desensitized. Bring on the guts!!

 

[Deanmonster]

wow, that's gross. No more vesalius.com for me before dinner.