Start my Surgery rotation in 2 weeks!! Anything I should do in preparation?

[sharklasers]

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I don't necessarily mean read things, I'm don't want to do that my 2 weeks off after step 1, but I mean more so in terms of what kind of things I need to buy and just general tips I guess!

 

[Suncrusher]

I need advice in this area too. I start my surg rotation in 6 days. My only plan so far is:

1. don't get butthurt if anyone yells at me or makes me feel stupid
2. read up on all the diseases, procedures, and relevant anatomy for all of the next day's scheduled surgeries the night before
3. maybe buy Surgical Recall?
4. maybe buy compression stockings?

 

[Hemichordate]

Are there any good websites that teaches us the knot-tying techniques that we need to know?

 

[Kahreek]

youtube should cover all that.

Edit: better than the hassle of compression socks, go with shoes that have heel, to keep those gastrocnemius pumping blood. General rule heeled shoes are also more confortable to stand on in the same place.

 

[sharklasers]

I'm assuming we will learn that during the rotation right? lol

 

[beyondbethany]

Enjoy life, sleep, workout, go out, etc. The only things I would worry about buying would be the book(s) you plan to use to study for your shelf exam and make sure you have a well stocked fridge and pantry when you start your rotation, I found it very helpful to have food on hand and with me at the hospital because you can't always make it to the cafeteria between cases.

 

[survivordo]

I need advice in this area too. I start my surg rotation in 6 days. My only plan so far is:

1. don't get butthurt if anyone yells at me or makes me feel stupid
Good plan, I don't think it is as bad as people make it out to be, but someone needs to teach you med students how to have some intestinal fortitude! 😉
2. read up on all the diseases, procedures, and relevant anatomy for all of the next day's scheduled surgeries the night before
This is your best bet to really succeed and learn on the rotation. There are also lots of YouTube videos out there (of varying quality) that can be quite helpful for visualizing the surgical anatomy (unfortunately things are color-coded inside the actual body)
3. Definitely buy Surgical Recall and memorize it?
Fixed that for you... this is your best resource against being pimped. I have been pimped on very few things that weren't in this book.
4. maybe buy compression stockings?
Take it or leave it, these puppies are expensive but I do feel like I have more energy at the end of the day when I wear them.

Hope this helps... Survivor DO

 

[Kahreek]

^pro tip

good shoes, good food on the go. The rest will fall in place.

 

[dr seuss]

Stock up on groceries the day before your rotation starts. You will need Recall and the NMS Casebook but you don't need to read any before the rotation starts.

 

[Kaputt]

Train your bladder to increase bladder capacity.

 

[Hemichordate]

I'm assuming we will learn that during the rotation right? lol

Oh, well I thought we were supposed to know how to do stitches before rotations start.

 

[rocketbooster]

Oh, well I thought we were supposed to know how to do stitches before rotations start.

Just youtube it sometime during the 1st week. You can teach yourself through youtube easily in one night.

 

[gocoastal]

Get an ethicon knot tying board - there is a thread somewhere about how to get one. Or just look at the PDF they send you. http://www.bcm.edu/osa/emig/?pmid=6839

 

[MonsterAddict]

So instead of training your bladder to hold more, you need to train your body to make less. The day before you start, you need to drink 2-3 Monsters/Coffee anything with caffeine. Deplete yourself of water. For the next 8 weeks, 4 week, 6 weeks, WHATEVER the length of your studies. You will drink coffee like it was water. Doing this will allow you to hold it forever since you dont want to be the med student who scrubs out to pee in a >10 hr long case cause then someone has to find a new retractor holder.... THEY WILL REMEMBER.

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

Enjoy your time off.

During the rotation listen to this podcast while you drive, bike or jog:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/surgery-101/id293184847

The sound editing is a bit rough but it is very good.

Don't drink too much water. Never complaint about having the opportunity to lean more about surgery in front of surgeons.

 

[badasshairday]

Sleep while you can now.

 

[Trogghunter]

Do some degrading things to yourself to completely dismantle your ego if you're not one who can let things roll off of your back.

If you don't want to do surgery, TELL THEM WHEN THEY ASK. It'll make your life much much easier.

Screw the YouTube videos for knots---slice a chicken breast superficially and pour hot sauce in the wound, then sew sew sew your way to glory, and eat it. When you reach 1337 status, move to oranges and grapefruits and you may find yourself closing and 1st assist. Good luck get sleep.

 

[Kahreek]

Do some degrading things to yourself to completely dismantle your ego if you're not one who can let things roll off of your back.

If you don't want to do surgery, TELL THEM WHEN THEY ASK. It'll make your life much much easier.

Screw the YouTube videos for knots---slice a chicken breast superficially and pour hot sauce in the wound, then sew sew sew your way to glory, and eat it. When you reach 1337 status, move to oranges and grapefruits and you may find yourself closing and 1st assist. Good luck get sleep.

Unless the chicken is alive, can talk and has some surgery knowledge i fail to see how it can teach to do knots.

 

[survivordo]

Enjoy your time off.

During the rotation listen to this podcast while you drive, bike or jog:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/surgery-101/id293184847

The sound editing is a bit rough but it is very good.

Don't drink too much water. Never complaint about having the opportunity to lean more about surgery in front of surgeons.

Good point, Surgery 101 is an excellent podcast even if it is made by Canucks!

Survivor DO