What Does a General Surgeon Do? Roles, Skills & Procedures

Key Takeaways

• General surgeons treat a wide range of health issues through both planned and emergency surgeries to help patients.
• To address common conditions like appendicitis and hernias, they perform surgeries on the abdomen, glands, intestines, skin, and breasts.
• Besides medical knowledge, surgeons need skills like steady hands, quick thinking, calmness, and teamwork.
• Years of study and training are necessary to become a general surgeon, with institutions such as AUA supporting students in this pursuit.

A general surgeon is a medical doctor trained to carry out surgical procedures that save lives and improve health. More than 51 million surgeries are performed in the US each year, underscoring the vital role surgeons play in the medical field.

It’s crucial to understand the work of general surgeons since their expertise directly affects patient outcomes. This article explores their responsibilities, the conditions they treat, the procedures they perform, where they work, the areas of the body they operate on, and what it takes to become one.

What Does a General Surgeon Do?

A general surgeon performs surgery to diagnose, treat, and manage a variety of medical conditions. They’re crucial in carrying out surgeries and providing patients with preoperative and postoperative care to aid in their recovery.

In the sections below, we’ll discuss the main responsibilities of a general surgeon, the common conditions they treat, and the types of surgical procedures they perform.

Responsibilities

General surgeons take on many important tasks to make sure patients receive proper care before, during, and after surgery. Their job involves thorough evaluation, careful planning, and close collaboration with other healthcare professionals to achieve the best possible results. Key responsibilities include:

• Evaluating and diagnosing patients: Reviewing medical histories and symptoms to identify the underlying causes of surgical issues.
• Ordering and interpreting tests: Requesting diagnostic tests — such as bloodwork, imaging scans, and biopsies — and interpreting results to guide treatment.
• Recommending surgical treatment plans: Developing personalized surgical plans and educating patients about their options to support informed decision-making.
• Performing surgeries (emergency and planned): Carrying out a broad range of urgent and scheduled surgical procedures.
• Monitoring patients postoperatively: Tracking recovery, addressing complications, and adjusting treatment as needed.
• Coordinating with other healthcare providers: Collaborating with anesthesiologists, nurses, specialists, and other professionals to deliver comprehensive care.
• Maintaining patient documentation: Keeping accurate and detailed records to monitor health status, treatment progress, and continuity of care.

Common conditions treated

General surgeons manage various conditions that often need surgical intervention to relieve symptoms, remove damaged tissue, or correct structural problems. Common conditions include:

• Appendicitis: Removal of the inflamed appendix to prevent rupture and serious infection.
• Hernias: Surgical repair strengthens weakened muscles or tissue to reduce pain and avoid complications such as bowel blockages.
• Gallstones: Removal of the gallbladder to eliminate painful or infected gallstones.
• Breast lumps or tumors: Surgical removal to diagnose or treat breast cancer and other breast-related conditions.
• Bowel obstructions: Clearing intestinal blockages to restore normal digestion and prevent tissue damage.
• Skin lesions or abscesses: Surgical removal or drainage of infected or abnormal growths to promote healing and prevent further infection.

Surgical procedures

General surgeons perform many different types of surgeries to treat various medical conditions. Some of these procedures are planned in advance, while others are performed urgently in emergency situations.

• Appendectomy: Removal of the appendix, usually an emergency surgery to treat appendicitis and prevent rupture.
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): A minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder, typically planned to treat gallstones or inflammation.
• Mastectomy or lumpectomy: Surgery to remove part or all of the breast tissue, mostly elective, used to treat or prevent breast cancer.
• Colectomy (partial or full): Removal of part or all of the colon, performed either as an emergency or planned surgery, depending on conditions such as cancer or blockages.
• Hernia repair: Surgery to fix hernias by strengthening weak spots; usually planned but can be urgent if complications arise.
• Biopsies: A minor surgical procedure to remove tissue samples for testing, typically elective and used to diagnose health problems.

Where Does a General Surgeon Work?

General surgeons work in various settings, each bringing unique experiences and challenges. Their workplace influences daily tasks, schedules, and the types of cases they handle.

• Public or private hospitals: General surgeons often work in both. Public hospitals treat many patients and handle more emergencies, while private hospitals focus more on planned surgeries and usually offer better facilities and comfort.
• Outpatient surgical centers: These facilities handle less complex procedures where patients return home the same day. Compared to hospitals, they have more regular schedules and fewer emergencies.
• Academic institutions: Surgeons here combine research, patient care, and teaching. Although the position is demanding, it offers opportunities to grow professionally and acquire new skills.
• Military or government health services: Surgeons in these settings care for military personnel and sometimes civilians, often in challenging and unpredictable situations. Their work can include emergency and trauma surgery during deployments or disasters.

Work schedules vary by setting. Surgeons in hospitals often have on-call duties and must be prepared for emergencies at any time, including nights and weekends. In general, outpatient clinics have more regular hours and deal with fewer emergencies.

Surgeons in urban centers frequently deal with more complicated scenarios, but they also benefit from larger teams and advanced tools. Surgeons in rural regions, on the other hand, can perform a greater range of procedures independently, with less support from specialists.

Areas of the Body a General Surgeon Operates On

General surgeons operate on several key areas of the body. Below are the main areas they focus on, along with examples of surgeries they commonly perform:

• Abdomen (stomach, intestines, appendix): This includes organs like the stomach, small and large intestines, and appendix. Common surgeries are appendectomy (removing the appendix), hernia repair, and bowel resections (removing part of the intestine).
• Endocrine system (thyroid, adrenal glands): Surgeons sometimes operate on hormone-producing glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Examples include thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid) and adrenalectomy (removal of adrenal glands).
• Digestive tract: This includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Procedures in this area include gastrectomy (removing part or all of the stomach), colectomy (removing part of the colon), and procedures to fix intestinal blockages.
• Skin and soft tissue: General surgeons treat issues like cysts, abscesses, and abnormal skin growths. They may perform procedures to remove or drain these to prevent infections and promote healing.
• Breast: General surgeons also address breast conditions such as lumps, tumors, or cancers. Common procedures include lumpectomy (removing a lump) and mastectomy (removing part or all of the breast).

How General Surgeons Collaborate With Other Medical Professionals

Ensuring high-quality surgical care requires general surgeons to actively collaborate with other medical experts at every step of the patient’s journey. Good teamwork helps improve safety and recovery outcomes.

• Primary care physicians: Surgeons often get referrals from primary care doctors who notice a problem that may need surgery. These doctors provide medical history and test results to support surgical planning.
• Anesthesiologist: Before surgery, surgeons and anesthesiologists work together to choose the safest anesthesia. During the procedure, anesthesiologists monitor the patient’s condition and ensure their comfort.
• Nurses: Nurses help prepare patients for surgery, assist the surgical team in the operating room, and take care of them during recovery. They monitor vital signs, manage pain, and ensure wounds heal properly.
• Specialists (e.g., oncologists, gastroenterologists): Surgeons often team up with other specialists to treat more serious or complex conditions. For example, they may work with an oncologist when treating cancer.

Example of teamwork:

In cases of breast cancer, the general surgeon often becomes involved after a referral from the primary care doctor for procedures like biopsies or surgeries. Afterward, an oncologist may take over for follow-up treatments like chemotherapy. Nurses support the patient through the entire process. This kind of teamwork makes sure the patient gets complete and well-organized care.

What It Takes to Become a General Surgeon

Becoming a general surgeon takes many years of school, training, and real-world experience. It’s a demanding career path that requires strong focus, hard work, and a genuine passion for caring for patients through surgery. The journey includes going to college, finishing medical school, completing a surgery residency, and getting licensed.

Here are the main steps to becoming a general surgeon:

• Education and medical school
• General surgery residency
• Licensing and board certification
• Ongoing training and specialization (optional)

Education and training

Becoming a general surgeon demands long-term commitment and excellence at every stage, from classroom learning to clinical practice.

Bachelor’s degree: A 4-year college degree, usually in a science-related field.

Medical school (MD or DO): 4 years of medical education, including licensing exams like the USMLE or COMLEX.

General surgery residency: 5-7 years of supervised surgical training in hospitals and clinics.

Optional fellowships: 1-2 additional years of training in a surgical subspecialty (e.g., trauma surgery, vascular surgery).

Licensing and board certification: Required for practice and often pursued to show advanced expertise and commitment to quality care.

The American University of Antigua (AUA) provides an accredited MD program with strong academic support, clinical training, USMLE preparation, and residency guidance — helping students build a successful career in surgery.

Required skills and traits

Being a successful general surgeon takes more than medical knowledge— it also requires key personal skills. These traits support both surgical performance and high-quality patient care:

• Manual dexterity: Precise hand movements are essential for delicate surgical tasks.
• Problem-solving ability: Surgeons must make quick, sound decisions, especially during unexpected complications.
• Emotional resilience: Staying composed and focused during high-stress situations, especially in critical or emergency cases.
• Strong communication: Clear, empathetic communication fosters patient trust and ensures team coordination.
• Physical stamina: Long hours in the operating room demand sustained energy and focus.
• Leadership and collaboration: Surgeons guide medical teams and collaborate with other specialists to deliver coordinated, high-quality care.

Conclusion

General surgeons are essential in identifying and managing diverse medical conditions through both scheduled and urgent surgical procedures. Their extensive training and collaboration with medical teams help ensure patients receive safe, effective care.

If you’re inspired to pursue a career in surgery, consider the MD program at the American University of Antigua (AUA) as a strong starting point for your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common general surgery procedure?

Appendectomy — removal of the appendix — is one of the most commonly performed general surgeries.

Why would you be referred to a general surgeon?

You may be referred to a general surgeon for evaluation or treatment of conditions that may require surgery, such as hernias, gallstones, or unexplained lumps.