First a resource:
<a href="http://www.womensurgeons.org/" target="_blank">http://www.womensurgeons.org/</a>
This is the homepage for the Association of Women Surgeons. Anyone woman going into surgery should consider ordering their Pocket Mentor (It's free)or look at it online under the publications link. It's old and dated and contains some quite frankly sexist advice (Don't sleep with your senior resident, carry feminine products in your bag, etc.) but its a good insight into what they thought women should know at the time (last updated in the mid 90s I think).
Not being a woman, I can only give you my view and the views of some of my women surgical friends. Being a woman in surgery can be frustrating sometimes, some people will act differently towards you are around you, but that's the breaks. In general, my women co-residents tell me that they get the "nurse" reference periodically, but have learned to shake it off. Glass ceiling? Maybe, since very few chairmen around the country are actually women (maybe 1 or 2 at major programs and that's it), but I've heard more and more women being mentioned to fill the empty seats around the country (keep in mind that most of them have less seniority than a lot of men in surgery just by the sheer numbers).
Advice for those women medical students (and pre-meds) thinking about surgery? 1) If you want it, go for it. You can make a great career in surgery as a woman, and surgery is one of the more meritocratic specialties in my opinion. Skill goes a long way towards respect, period. 2) Find a mentor if you can, even a male mentor. Their support will help you get you through the inevitable rough times.
Will you hear dirty jokes and inappropriate comments along the way? Yes. Ignore those of us men who just don't seem to get it, you can succeed without us.
Good luck. Don't let the embittered dissuade you from your future.