Damn - neurosurg is awesome, too bad it's miserable

[Running bear]

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Neurosurgery has to be the most spectacular form of surgery - yet the lifestyle seems so miserable as a resident - such that I am truly afraid to enter it. It seems like nsg is like crack cocaine - awesome to behold, incredible sense of mastery and elation, but after the high is over you are left feeling exhausted and you end up a bitch to your dealer, willing to do anything to please the master, including sacrificing your life, talents in other endevours and family.

I had a career before medical school - but left it for medicine to gain knowledge and a career with scientific potential. Neurosurgery is ideal for me - other than I have a wife and family (and things I love outside of the OR).

Is it possible to live the life of a neurosurgeon w/out succombing to crack whoredom? I've heard that some residency programs are actually able to keep w/in the 80 hour work week and are not truly miserable as a junior - does anyone have any suggestions as to which programs? Can you be a tumor/functional neurosurgeon and still make dinner w/ the family as well as get in some daily exercise?

So far, most people say it is possible, but they are not actually successful at achieving it. It seems to be the delusion of highly achieving people.

 

[DOC 2 B]

Yes, it's true that NS residency is one of the most rigorous out there but once you actual become a full-blown NS its not that bad. First of all, if you really love what you do and have the passion for it, you won't mind the hours. Some of the other threads talk about a NS working 40 hours (which is an extreme) but its definitely not as bad as a crack addiction.

The residency is what is going to really work you, the actual practice won't be that bad, you can still have a social life, in your case, spend time with your family.


Hope that helped 🙂

 

[deleted106503]

For residency? I seriously doubt you'll make every dinner. Maybe one...ever 😉 A spinal neurosurgeon up at UPenn I spoke to finished his fellowship this past December and now he tries to put in 60/wk. You should be able to have enough time to pursue hobbies/interests outside of the OR with that kind of schedule.

 

[CDK]

OK...I am a (primarily spinal) 37 year old neurosurgeon in Pennsylvania. I write this as I sit by my pool and hottub tonite, watching Monday night football sipping a great cabernet, after watching my 8 year old son son quarterback his football team in a scrimmage and after running 5 miles tonite.

There is NO question the neurosurgery training can be tough, but there are programs that are more reasonable than others (and I trained at one). You may miss dinners, or even whole days, but look at the long term picture. If you are doing what you love to do (and making a decent living), life is good. There is no doubt you will make time to do other things you want to do.

Bengals up 17-0...Brett may have to pack it in....

 

[uclabruins47]

you only live once. be careful what you choose