Is it possible to be both a cardiothoracic surgeon and a neurosurgeon at the same time?
918664
Technically yes.  You could be any combination of specialized surgeon if you really put your mind and soul into it.  After medical school, you are matched to a residency program in the field you would most like to practice in.  Cardiothoracic surgery is about 6 years of residency, and neuro is typically 7.  In either case, the first year or two will be general surgery, and the remainder of your time will be focused on your specialty.  \n\nCommonly, after residency a physician will continue to train and specialize through at least one fellowship of a year or more before attaining a full surgical position with all the bells and whistles.  Completing one residency does not exclude you from being able to train in other areas as well.  \n\nIf its what you really want, I believe it is possible to be both.  However, I would caution you that you are looking at 10-12 years of 80 hour work-weeks after med school.  That means you're likely to be 36-40 years old by the time you are done.  Furthermore, the point of specializing is to know everything about a small aspect of medicine.  If you divide your attention between two, its highly unlikely that you would be as well versed at both as you could be at one.  Lastly, money might be an issue as well.  Having two specialties doesn't mean you can do twice as many surgeries.  A hospital isn't likely to pay you twice what you would make with one.  In fact, I would guess that the second specialty would not add a tremdous amount to your paycheck.  Also consider that you will be missing out on roughly $1,500,000 of income while you are going through all the extra training of the second residency.\n\nLike I said if its what you really want....go for it.\nI'd say do one, then see how you feel.
808061
you probably know what you want to be in the future.. why not make it a stethoscope or a cross.. or something that symbolizes the job youo want to do. anyway, your future depends on who you want to be.
1003975
you're looking at maybe 3 or 4 years of general surgical residency, and then you have to sub-specialize in neurosurgery which takes another 3-4 years. It's one of the longest residencies there is.
137642
In theory, yes.  In practical point of fact, considering how difficult it is to find a properly matched heart (in terms of the tissue antigens, that is), it is most unlikely that anyone would have the procedure done.\n\nTechnically, it is possible.  Practically, it is infeasible.\n\nThe only exception?  Electromechanical artificial hearts (Like Jarvik's work); those are usually implanted without removal of the native tissue.
1142033
no, because you can not be available to be on active duty with both at the same time.  Remember that you can also be called to active duty for a year or more at a time.  So you pack up your bag, tell your regualar job that you will see them in a year or two ( and hope they  will hire you back when you come back) and off you go.  Actually it is very likelyyou will be called to active duty if you go into the reserve right now.  Our local Army national guard have done two middle east tours in the past few years.
391976
My girlfriend's mum is chief Anesthesiologist at a city hospital and is constantly in demand, she is also one of the highest paid staff members but is very overworked- this in the UK, by the way. However she enjoys her work very much
1079918
Surgeons care for patients who may need an operation. Patients are referred from other hospital doctors, general practitioners or are admitted through the accident and emergency department. Surgeons diagnose the problem and decide on appropriate action, operate, and monitor the patient after the operation. \n\nSurgeons require in-depth knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, pathology and anatomy, and work in one of the nine surgical specialities including cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery.\n\nThe job of a consultant surgeon includes seeing patients in the outpatient clinic, leading a team of nurses and other doctors in the operating theatre, and making ward rounds to see patients before and after surgery. They make notes for patient records and write letters to general practitioners, advising them of their patients' condition and treatment. \n\nThey are also responsible for training and supervising more junior doctors and other health care professionals in the hospital. Some surgeons carry out research and write papers for publication. \n\nTo be a surgeon you should:\n\nhave an interest in and concern for the well-being of patients\nhave excellent communication skills\nbe able to put people at their ease and inspire their trust and confidence\nwork well in and be able to lead a team\nbe able to work under pressure and make quick clear decisions\nwork consistently to high professional standards\nbe prepared to continually update your knowledge and learn new techniques\nhave excellent practical skills and manual dexterity\nbe able to train, teach and supervise staff\nhave an interest and ability in science\n\nTo become a doctor you must study for a medical degree recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC). Please contact the GMC for details of universities. You must also undergo a police check. \n\nThe usual entry requirement for a five-year degree in medicine is three A levels at grades ABB including maths and two science subjects. In Scotland you would need five H grades, and two science Advanced Highers, one of which must be chemistry. Other qualifications are accepted in certain circumstances. \n\nThe six-year courses, with a one-year pre-medical course, are designed for students who have not had the opportunity to study science subjects. In all cases, GCSEs/S grades and subjects are taken into account in the selection process.\n\nThere is a shortened four-year postgraduate option for graduates with a first or good second class honours degree in a relevant subject. Non-science graduates may be accepted. They may be asked to sit tests to establish their ability to cope with scientific work.\n\nIn addition to academic ability, admissions tutors assess the candidate's personal skills and qualities for suitability for the rigours of the course and the demands of a medical career. They look for a responsible attitude, personal integrity and good interpersonal and communication skills. They also look for evidence of motivation and understanding of the medical profession. It is advisable to arrange relevant work experience before applying. \n\n\nIt's not exact but all surgeons are practically the same.
1078848
I think he would be a scientist.\nHe would study cancer and work day and night to find the cure for it. And if he decided to specialize he might have become a surgeon. Now what do you think?
1108426
bachelors of surgeory and bachelors of medicine
930320
Bypass surgery is a major operation that usually lasts between two and six hours. Pre-operative medications are often administered by mouth, muscular or subcutaneous injection, or IV. You will receive general anesthesia and be completely asleep.\nDuring bypass surgery, the chest bone is separated, and the ribs are spread apart to allow visible and physical access to the heart. In most instances, blood circulation and breathing functions will be taken over by a heart-lung machine. The cardiac surgeon uses a piece of vein or artery to form a bypass to enable blood to go around the blockage. Several blockages can be bypassed during surgery.\nGrafts:\nA graft is a blood vessel that has been created to bypass a blocked artery . It is usually taken from the internal mammary artery in the chest, the saphenous veins from the leg, or in rare instances from the radial artery in the arm. The graft is attached above and below the area in the artery where there is a blockage, so that the blood can use the new, unblocked path to flow freely to the heart.\nFrom stress tests, angiograms and intravascular ultrasounds, your doctor is able to determine exactly how much of the heart structure needs repair. Some patients undergo double, triple or even quadruple bypasses, based on their specific needs.\nDoctors have found that grafts are most successful when attached to major coronary arteries rather than smaller arterial branches. Doctors have also found better results for bypass surgery when there are discrete, localized blockages rather than a buildup of plaque throughout an artery.\nIn some cases, your blood circulation and breathing functions will be carried out by a heart-lung machine during surgery, also known as cardiopulmonary bypass. However, more coronary artery bypass surgeries are being done while the heart is still beating (called the off-pump technique). Doctors say the beating heart approach reduces the risk of neurologic injury, stroke and other complications associated with the heart-lung machine, and leads to a shorter hospital stay for patients.\nAs with any serious heart surgery, blood transfusions are necessary during bypass surgery. The blood used for your surgery will be matched by type and Rh factor, and provided by a local blood bank.\nUnless your surgery is scheduled to be performed in less than 72 hours, and if your doctor gives you permission, arrangements can be made for banking your own blood for surgery. You also may have family or friends with a compatible blood type donate blood for your surgery. The hospital, the Red Cross or blood bank can provide family members and friends with necessary information about blood donation for your surgery.\nA close family member had a quadruple by-pass,and was home in a week. He made a full  recovery.
888563
If you can't go straight to the source (shadowing a neurologist or neurosurgeon for the day) then I would suggest contacting a medical school at a university close to you and inquiring about their neurosurgical program. Doing a quick Google search for "Neurosurgeons" will bring up a lot of basic information as well.
392386
I think you should do the one that can actually benefit people. Plastic surgery is for stupid people that arent content that have too much money for their own good. InCardiovascualar surgery you could be helping someone that could lose their life. Make a REAL difference in someone's life. Both get awesome pay.
1064849
Yes, he would still theoretically be a candidate for transplant. In fact, he would have to have a stable cardiovascular situation before he would be safe for transplant surgery.\n\nGood luck, the waiting list is long.
112463
Neurosurgery is a specialty. When in college major in whatever makes you happy, econ, bio, music whatever...just be sure to take the basic med school prerequisites: 1-year each of Physics w/lab, General Chemistry w/lab, Organic Chem w/lab, and General Biology w/lab. Take the MCAT.\n\nMedical school has two years of basic sciences, including Anatomy, physiology, Biochem/molecular bio, Immunology, Microbio., pathology, pathophysiology, pharmacology...I'm sure I forgot (purposely...) a few courses. Then you take during 3rd year Medicine, surgery, family med, peds, ob/gyn etc..4th year are mostly electives. Neurosurgery residency is usually a very long and lonley 7 years at least. Most residency's have only 1-2 spots per year. \n\nSo to answer your question simply there are no specific courses in college or medical school that you need to take. It would be to your advantage to have an elective or two of Neurosurgery during the early part of  your 4th year of med school so you can get letters of recommendation etc..\n\nSo 4-years undergrad. 4-years of med school 7-years of residency plus maybe one or two years of research.
282619
Unless your friend is a medical professional, I would not take their opinion to heart. I suggest you look up the specific type of surgery you are having and base your opinions on the research.  You have to remember that all surgeries are potentially dangerous.  (infetcions, malpractice, ect.)  Also, I would recommend that you discuss your concern with the doctor, so he/she can better inform you of all the risks involved.  Don't be afraid to get a second opinion or voice that you aren't quite clear on the facts just yet.
1003824
Yes cardio = heart\n\nBut don't forget the vascular part of it also.  We typically lump heart and blood vessels together because the function of this system is to deliver blood to the different parts of your body. \nYes end organ damage is the brain but why do we say its a cardiovascular disease.  Well its because the cause of the stroke is typically from a heart or blood vessel problem.  The underlying problem before the stroke is not the brain but rather either your heart or blood vessel.  In other words, your cardiovascular system was diseased and caused the stroke.  Major causes of strokes are atrial fibrillation, carotid artery stenosis, hypertension, rarer causes intrancranial aneurysm or patent foramen ovale and these are all diseases of the cardiovascular system and not of the neurological system.  \n\nIn reality, neurologist and usually not cardiologist treat strokes.  But if the stroked patient has atrial fibrillation, a cardiologist could be used.  If the the stroke was caused by carotid stenosis, a vascular surgeon is used.
977434
Hi. My husband and I are debating a similar question for his dad. He had open heart 9 years ago, and has also had multiple procedures on carotid arteries. He's in horrible shape now and we fear that he won't survive another open heart surgery... but we want him to have a better way of life than what he has now, if it's possible. To answer yours- if the person is in pretty good physical strength and condition, I think it's totally worth it. BUT, like the other 2 people said, talk to the Dr's. Write down your questions and concerns.  That's why I'm on here-trying to get as much information as possible for the Dr's appt. Good luck!