Metamorphosis Of A Surgeon- My Speech

A very good morning to the energetic audience, the organisers and especially to Mr.Vimal , Mr Chong and many others for recognising my contributions to this hernia society  in my mentorship of many brilliant and inspiring surgeons in technological surgery.

 Whom I came a cross in my work journey as a surgeon in my past 35 years in the surgical field.

Now, I am actually retired from the surgical field and following my 2nd childhood dream  of being an adventurer and a traveller.

I see here at the  hall many different stages of surgeons.

As I have gone through all those stages of being a surgeon.

Let me give a little wisdomic advice before I part.

I call this stage of surgeon as Metamorphosis Of A Surgeon.

There are 5 stages:-

1.Trainee surgeon 

2.Junior surgeon

3.Intermediate surgeon

4.Senior Surgeon

5.Retired or Mentor Surgeon

Trainee surgeons 

You must go that extramile to learn the knowledge and skill to be a surgeon in the proper way.

Not like my time when we learnt by trial and error.

Standard saying at that, " u see one ,assist one n next one, u do it."

Well, now one can't do that as there are enough seniors to teach and monitor.

Besides, at that time, we did most standard open surgery.

But now u trainees need ro know open and also technological surgery.

It is not easy , and it requires more hard work and an innovative mind.

Junior Surgeon.

Need to spend more time in OT to better the skill and knowledge and entice the senior surgeon to give you to do the case.

Have a plan what subspecialties you want to further your speciality.

As the current surgical trend doesn't prefer 'Jack of all trade and master of none.'

Intermediate Surgeon. 

You have learnt the skill and knowledge.

As you refine your surgery,also learn new techniques and, most  importantly, give opportunities to your juniors.

Senior Surgeon

You have mastered your skill and knowledge.

You can do your surgery to a certain extent of precision outcome.

It is not that only your job.

More importantly, creating and encouraging younger surgeons to come better than you.

Finally To Retired Or Mentor Surgeon.

One must know when to let go of the addiction of surgery.

As everything got an expiry date.

As we are too like sports men and women, we are very engrossed in our passion for being a surgeon.

So if you plan to retire.

Start planning 10 years prior to your retirement date 

How are you going to keep yourselves occupied on your impending retirement.

Start working on your childhood dreams, which you kept a side for your career.

Like sports,travelling,gardening ,reading ,writing n, etc.

5 yrs before retirement decreased your work and increased your other activities you started.

Well, if u can't do anything other than being a surgery.

Be a mentor by going to teaching medical students or doing sessional surgery.

At retirement, 2 important issues one must be aware of are occupancy and finance.

For most drs, finance won't be an issue, but occupancy will be an issue as they were kept occupied by work.

So they are lost if that is taken out.

To me, retirement is fun and fulfilling. 

It depends on each individual and how they take it.

I like to end my talk with my own adage, which I coined it from yesterday's challenging trekking up a hill.

"Ascending a hill is tough,

Descending a hill is dangerous.

It depends on each step and 

Your focus."

Thanks again for this honour and patiently giving your ears to my wisdomic advice.