Shadowing a surgeon

[yyd]

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[Pose]

Just a guess, but I'd bet they all knew exactly why you left, and I'd also bet that they've experienced the exact thing early on.

 

[mantraman1010]

I have been very interested in surgery as a potential specialty, and finally I got an opportunity to shadow a surgeon and observe the procedures. It has been a really good experience, except for one thing. They used an instrument (don't know the name, sorry) to seal off blood vessels and to cut/burn through the tissue, and the smell of burning flesh and fat made me very nauseous, just physically sick. At one point I had to leave because I was afraid I'd faint.
Does anyone else have an experience shadowing a surgeon and is this something possible to get used to (hopefully)?
Also, do you think it would be best not to mention this to the surgeon? I am concerned that she will interpret it as a negative experience, and I'd like to continue shadowing her. Apart from this problem, I enjoyed being in the OR and would like to come again.

Two words: Weak ass


Nah....just kiddin
I agree, it was probably your first time and the surgeons probably knew why you had left in the first place. If you don't mind the sight of blood and internal body organs, I say surgery is still for you. Take this mantra I made into consideration:
"With everything new you try in life there takes some adjustments to make that particular something yours."

THATS WHY THEY CALL ME MANTRAMAN

Good luck and keep trying....

 

[DropkickMurphy]

By the way, that instrument is called a cautery.

Don't worry, nausea is a common experience, and yes you can get over it. As for bringing it up to the surgeon, I would recommend it. Make sure that she knows that it wasn't a lack of interest on your part, but rather just newbie jitters....

 

[gwb]

They used an instrument (don't know the name, sorry) to seal off blood vessels and to cut/burn through the tissue, and the smell of burning flesh and fat made me very nauseous, just physically sick. At one point I had to leave because I was afraid I'd faint.

glad to hear you enjoyed your experience. the instrument is called a bovie and it's used to cauterize bleeders or cut through tissue. to be honest, i still think it smells like bbq and can't help but get hungry in the OR (i was always starving in anatomy lab too for some reason), especially if i haven't eaten for a while... one thing that can help is to suction the fumes; the surgeon will appreciate it and less smoke for you.

 

[75969]

i was always starving in anatomy lab too for some reason.

I think that's cuz of the chemicals they use to preserve the body...? 😛

 

[DropkickMurphy]

What's strange is that I work with those chemicals and bodies everyday and I don't get hungry....perhaps it's the fact that the bodies in the anatomy lab are cut up- fileted if you will....?

 

[deuist]

Just a guess, but I'd bet they all knew exactly why you left, and I'd also bet that they've experienced the exact thing early on.

While standing in a surgery once, two fellow med students had to leave because they were about to faint. The surgeon was joking around with them afterwards, but said that everyone---him included---have experienced the same light headedness before. He said that everyone gets over it by the third time.

 

[yyd]

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[Zargos]

The fact that you felt nauseated shows that you are human 🙂
Just give yourself some time to get used to a new experience.

 

[DrBorisCA]

The bovie is a major part of surgery and just takes some getting used to... I am around it a lot and have gradually gotten used to it...

For some reason, I find that chewing a fresh piece of gum will help a bit in distracting me from the smell.. Hope it helps...

 

[Zmoody33]

Yea, i remember my first experience with burning flesh... it didnt really bother me at all. Its different with everybody. surgery to everyone is interesting at first. its just the little things that make the surgeon the surgeon. maybe youll get use to it, but maybe a different field will be best. i think you know if youre made for surgery the first time you witness the real thing. thats just from my experience in the o.r. perhaps it will be different with you...

 

[CTSballer11]

I never had a problem, but it is normal and you should not be worried. You will get over it.