Interview w/ a General Surgeon (pros/cons, hours, grey's anatomy) | Rachel Southard

Summary

In this engaging Q&A video, Dr. Vic Pinelian, a seasoned general surgeon, shares insights into his profession. He discusses his journey into surgery, the highs and lows of his role, and the impact of his work on patients' lives. From the challenges of balancing family life to the rewards of life-saving procedures, Dr. Pinelian offers a candid look at the surgeon's life, including his favorite surgeries and the realities of being on call, all while addressing viewers' curiosity about the profession.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Pinelian is a general surgeon with a practice history since 2007, having trained at St. Louis University and completed a residency and fellowship in Southern California.
• 🔍 Initially not intending to pursue surgery, Dr. Pinelian was drawn to the field during his medical rotations, particularly due to the combination of operating room time and internal medicine aspects.
• 👶 The most challenging aspect of his job is the time away from family, including missing out on important moments with his young children.
• ⏱ The impact of COVID-19 has exacerbated the issue of operating room availability and staff limitations, leading to increased waiting times and stress for surgeons.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges, the rewarding aspect of saving lives and making a significant impact on patients and their families is a high point of the profession.
• 🕰 The average workweek for a general surgeon is 50-60 hours, with flexibility in private practice but an expectation of availability for consults.
• 🍽 Common surgeries performed by general surgeons include gallbladder operations (often laparoscopic), hernia repairs, and bowel obstruction operations.
• 🛠️ Dr. Pinelian enjoys laparoscopic surgeries, finding them engaging despite the associated stress, and mentions laparoscopic splenectomy as particularly challenging.
• 🏥 The recovery time for laparoscopic surgeries is relatively fast, with patients often discharged within a few days, depending on bowel function recovery.
• 🧘‍♂️ Dr. Pinelian emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, focusing on family time and physical fitness as methods to decompress and maintain mental health.
• 🤔 He acknowledges the frustrations with insurance companies and the administrative burdens they impose, which can detract from patient care.

Q & A

Who is Dr. Vic Canalian and what is his background?

Dr. Vic Canalian is a general surgeon who has been in practice since 2007. He trained for medical school at St. Louis University and completed a six-year general surgery residency at an L.A. County hospital. He also did a one-year fellowship in laparoscopic surgery.

Why did Dr. Canalian choose to go into general surgery?

Dr. Canalian initially thought he would do anything but surgery. However, once he started his surgery rotation, he was fascinated by the procedures, especially laparoscopic surgeries, which he compared to video games but with high stakes. He also liked that general surgery involved a lot of internal medicine.

At what point in medical school did Dr. Canalian decide on general surgery?

Dr. Canalian decided on general surgery several weeks into his first rotation. He liked the surgeries he observed and found that his personality aligned well with the residents in that specialty.

What is the best and worst part of being a general surgeon according to Dr. Canalian?

The worst part is the time away from his family and the long waiting times for operating room availability. The best part is the rewarding experience of saving lives, which happens about once every one to two weeks.

How many hours do general surgeons typically work per week?

General surgeons typically work about 50 to 60 hours per week. However, being in private practice allows for some flexibility.

What surgeries are commonly performed by general surgeons?

Common surgeries include gallbladder operations, hernia repairs, breast cancer surgeries, skin cancer excisions, and colon and bowel obstruction operations.

What is Dr. Canalian's favorite type of surgery to perform?

Dr. Canalian enjoys laparoscopic surgeries, particularly laparoscopic colon operations and ventral hernia repairs. He finds laparoscopic splenectomy especially rewarding despite its challenges.

How does Dr. Canalian handle emotionally challenging cases with poor outcomes?

Dr. Canalian finds it difficult and often loses sleep over such cases. He emphasizes the importance of discussing cases with colleagues and learning from each complication to improve future patient care.

How does Dr. Canalian prioritize his life outside of surgery?

Dr. Canalian focuses on spending quality time with his family and engaging in activities like exercise to decompress. He avoids work-related tasks at home when his kids are awake.

How similar is being a surgeon to what is depicted in TV shows like 'Gray's Anatomy'?

Dr. Canalian finds that while the medical accuracy is exaggerated for drama, some aspects, especially the intensity of residency, can be quite true to life. However, he doesn't watch medical dramas much due to their unrealistic portrayals.