As a General Surgeon, I personally chose a career in Minimally Invasive Surgery. my Dad is a General Surgeon and this gave me profound insight in the field of General Surgery. a common tote “like father, like son” made me think extenively on this! point is; when he trained it was ‘standard’ to approach cases with the most advanced technology AVAILABLE! When I was in Residency, Laparoscopy just ‘started’.
This perspective perfectly encapsulates the “laparoscopic revolution” that fundamentally altered general surgery between the late 1980s and the early 2000s
You are experiencing the second generation of that shift, where MIS transitioned from a “new technology” to the standard approach, whereas your father lived through the shift from “open” as the only option to “laparoscopic” as a necessary new skill.
Here is a reflection on that profound shift I have observed:
The “Father” Era: Open Surgery as Advanced Technology
- Maximum Exposure, Maximum Safety: When your father trained, the prevailing philosophy was that big incisions allowed for superior visualization and tactile palpation, which were considered the gold standards of safe surgery.
- Mastery of Anatomy: The focus was on direct, hands-on anatomical knowledge, dealing with complex pathologies through traditional incisions.
The “Son” Era: The Rise of Minimal Access
- Laparoscopic Explosion (1990s): While laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced around 1987-1989, it became widespread during the 1990s. By the time you were in residency, laparoscopy was rapidly becoming the preferred approach, often driven by patient demand.
- The Learning Curve: You likely witnessed the intense training required to shift from 3D hand-eye coordination (open) to 2D screen-based coordination (laparoscopy).
- The New “Standard”: Today, MIS has become so routine that many residents actually have higher volumes of laparoscopic cases than open cases, marking a total reversal of the training paradigm.
Like Father, Like Son: The “Adaptability” Commonality
Despite the technological differences, you and your father share the same foundational, and most crucial, surgeon skill: adaptability in the face of a rapidly evolving landscape.
- My father adapted to the introduction of advanced technologies of his time.
- You adapted to the shift from open to minimally invasive.
- The goal remains the same: “provide the very best for our patients”.
The next step is to continue the evolution, towards robotic-assisted surgery or even smaller incisions, just as I did with my specialization in MIS.
I am keenly aware this is personal! However, this site was begun at the stage of me re-entering life… To God be ALL the glory. My focus since I was sent back is to everyday strive to be more like Jesus!
https://disciplefirst.com/jesus-was-god-in-the-flesh-im-not/
Becoming more like Jesus involves cultivating a character marked by humility, selfless love, and obedience to God, primarily by studying his life in the Gospels, practicing daily prayer, and serving others. This transformation is achieved by relying on the Holy Spirit rather than personal strength to change thoughts and actions, often through spiritual disciplines like meditation and repentance.
Key Practices to Emulate Jesus:
- Cultivate Humility and Obedience: Value others above yourself, avoid seeking attention, and prioritize God’s will over your own.
- Practice Unconditional Love and Forgiveness: Forgive others, love your neighbor, and show compassion, even to enemies.
- Engage in Service: Actively serve those in need, the marginalized, and others, acting as a “living sacrifice”.
- Daily Prayer and Scripture Study: Regularly withdraw for solitude and prayer to connect with God and understand Jesus’ Character.
- Repentance and Renewal: Regularly confess sins and allow your mind to be transformed to align with God’s Word.
- Community Involvement: Engage with a community of believers to grow in faith.
Steps to Take:
- Ask “What Would Jesus Do?”: Consider how Jesus would respond to decisions, conversations, and situations.
- Study the Gospels: Focus on how Jesus acted, what motivated him, and how he treated people.
- Serve Practically: Look for small, daily opportunities to help others without expecting anything in return.
- Be Patient: Understand that becoming like Jesus is a lifelong process of growth.