Day 1: General Surgery

Today was my first day in general surgery. I woke up at 4:15am and left the house by 5:15am...didn't take me very long to get there or find the parking structure I was told to park in. I arrived on the floor at 5:30am and waited to meet my preceptor at 6am. We did morning rounds together where she checked in with her patients. I was able to get a pair of scrubs, but had to wear my dress shoes all day long! Talk about tired feet!! I then just followed my preceptor around all morning until she asked one of her fellow co-workers if I could sit in on a couple surgeries she was involved in...And I was off to the OR! I got to scrub in the first surgery which was a repair of an inguinal hernia! I also had an opportunity to hold a retractor for the doctor! That was awesome! I must admit, I felt important! Then, I just observed the next surgery...It was a long 2.5 hour surgery and I hadn't had but one granola bar up to this point and it was almost 3pm!!! I planned on going to lunch but, I had to meet my preceptor. We went through more rounds with the higher ups....We were back and forth in and out of patient rooms...So no time for food! I barely had time to use the bathroom...Yet she told me today was a slow day! OMG! Slow?? oh wow! I finally got to leave at 6pm and was told to be back at 6am! Oh, boy....the way I feel right now, I hope the next 6 weeks go by very, very fast! And I don't think surgery is where I want to work simply because of the hours....It's too tough on my family...Although, I loved holding the retractor and I'm going to love to suture!! :) I'll check back next week so let you know how I'm doing!