Need some information from neurosurgeons!

[Ilovelamp]

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Hello,
I know this is probably a question that has been asked a million times, but I want to get a neurosurgeon's take on this. I am currently a 3rd year medical student debating between interventional neurology and neurosurgery. I am doing my neurosurgery week and a half during my neurology rotation and I am thoroughly enjoying it. But I have heard opinions from people who are not neurosurgeons about how horrible the field is etc. But most of the neurosurgeons I work with with are awesome and laid back and it doesnt seem like they are working 100 hour weeks. So my question is how is life after residency? I would really like to hear from neurosurgeons about this. I would like to have a life and a wife eventually. I just want to get a good clear idea before I make a decision.
Thanks

 

[neb]

AFAIK the general consensus is that it is extremely hard for Neurosurgery and an active family life to co-exist, well unless you are operating a private spine reconstruction/repair practice. (during normal business hours, but even then I think people recommended another specialisation if you want to fix peoples stuffed spines.) 😛

There was a big post about this exact issue recently and while I think some people over exaggerated a bit, most of it seemed feasible.

 

[SOLDIER]

Have u ever thought about ENT or ortho ?
They are much more family friendly
If u have passion then it is the best field
Good luck

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

This thread is probably what you are looking for:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=83852

(There are some neurosurgeons' responses in there.)

 

[JeffLebowski]

AFAIK the general consensus is that it is extremely hard for Neurosurgery and an active family life to co-exist, well unless you are operating a private spine reconstruction/repair practice. (during normal business hours, but even then I think people recommended another specialisation if you want to fix peoples stuffed spines.) 😛

Not really true. Lots of residents and attendings are happily married with kids. It's not "easy", but the whole "unless you're PP spine your life sucks" is wrong.