Is surgery practical for non-trads?

[wiloghby]

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I will be starting medical school in 2014. I will be approximately 30 years old when I start. I always figured I would go into primary care or medicine, but I had the opportunity to watch a surgery recently -- WOW!

Considering I am from a poor family and would have to pay off the COA of medical school with loans in addition to supporting myself financially after medical school, would graduating from medical school at ~34 still allow surgery to be a feasible option?

I'm aware I don't have to decide anytime soon, but I am curious.

I know variations of this question have been asked before, but in addition to age the fact that I will likely have about 100% of the CoA in loans makes it a little more unique, maybe.

By the way: how cool is it that I'm going to into a field where that drastic of a change in plan is still possible? Medicine is the most incredible career. I refuse to listen to the haters there. But I am genuinely curious to know if any doors are closed to me just by virtue of starting medical school ~8 years later than the "traditional student".

Historically, I've never been one to be bothered by work/family balance in the past. I know that is one major consideration. for many people, but at this point (and hopefully in the future) not for me.

 

[Boolean]

Of course. Lots of benefits vital to surgeons come with age (Patience being one of the primary ones). Also, when you're older, I figure you've got somewhat better control over your body, a skill absolutely vital to success as a surgeon.

 

[dismorfik]

Also, when you're older, I figure you've got somewhat better control over your body, a skill absolutely vital to success as a surgeon.

Explain what you mean exactly?

 

[Boolean]

Explain what you mean exactly?

Alright. That's pretty vague, so my apologies for that. I feel as if there is a certain prime period of ones life in which they're more in control of their body physically. Everything at which point has developed, and nothing has really begun to degrade. I feel like late 20's and early 30's capture this phase. At this point, everything is developed, you know your limits (in terms of sleep, what you can and cannot do, etc). I'm sorry if that's a bit vague.

 

[dismorfik]

Yes you can do it; it has been done before. For example, I know a resident who was a dentist in his "previous life."

But given your concern with $ and time, you should also consider the PA route. Less debt, less time, and still get to have your dream of being an integral part of a surgery team. I have a friend in her mid 30's who is doing just this.

 

[organdonor]

You can absolutely do surgery. General surgery residency is 5 years which is only 2 years longer than the shortest out there (family, internal med, psych, a few others are shortest at 3 years). Worst case scenario would be delaying retirement for a year or two but in reality surgeons get paid pretty well under current reimbursement setup. You'd make MUCH more money working as an attending surgeon for 2 years fewer than you would in many of the 3 year specialty fields.

Don't let the loans scare you. Your situation is not uncommon by paying for the entire COA in loans. Myself and most of my friends are doing it. Maybe your view of the statistics is skewed because "average" meaning "mean" medical school debt isn't really all that accurate because there will always be those people who graduate with 0 debt with either a full scholarship or rich parents who skew the average. Median debt is much more telling and is close to COA to be honest. You will earn enough as a physician to pay off your loans, no matter what field you go into and no matter how current reimbursement changes.

https://www.aamc.org/download/152968/data

Medicine is indeed a field with incredible variety! Just think of our classmates who had to pick a major on day one of undergrad and here we are nearing the end of graduate school and we can still change our mind! I can think of no other career path where you get to experience so much variety month by month and then pick which one you like!

 

[pietachok]

Yes you can do it; it has been done before. For example, I know a resident who was a dentist in his "previous life."

But given your concern with $ and time, you should also consider the PA route. Less debt, less time, and still get to have your dream of being an integral part of a surgery team. I have a friend in her mid 30's who is doing just this.

Being a PA on a surgical team is not comparable to being a surgeon. The OP has already been accepted to medical school. I think it is somewhat offensive to suggest that he become a PA essentially because his age might change his ability to have the lengthiest career in a field he *might* be interested in.

 

[dismorfik]

Oops! Didn't read the crucial first sentence of your post! Ignore me 🙂

 

[muddyduck7]

Should be doable. But keep in mind that your window for actively doing surgeries will be a bit shorter... You will be close to 40 by the time you finish training.

 

[Jay K]

yes, i know many second-career surgeons who went in way older than you.

do what excites and satisfies you.

btw f*ck the window… who wants to work for more than 20yrs?

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

I'll be 40 before even starting med school and I'm still planning on surgery. My concerns are not money or whether or not I'll get as much time out of it- I'll be old anyway, I might as well have done what I loved. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, so what's the difference? My concerns are for my health and physical ability to withstand residency. 😛