Have you ever thought to yourself how fantastic you’d be as a surgeon after binge-watching K-drama or TV shows like Hospital Playlist, Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and even Doctor john for hours on end? Do you believe you are qualified enough to do surgery on the exposed human body lying on the surgery table? 

Of course, becoming a surgeon is a dream of millions of people. To see their children becoming a doctor or a surgeon is such a dream come true for every parent, especially in Asian households. It seems like being a doctor is something luxurious. Is that true? Well, it is undeniable that being a doctor, especially a surgeon can bring you a very bright future in terms of financial stability. However, becoming one is not as easy as many people think. 

If you think being a surgeon is as easy as what you see on the TV, then you’re wrong! Becoming a surgeon is much more complex than that. There are so many procedures and pathways to go through. There are so many procedures and pathways to go through. 

You must first complete your medical education if you want to work as a surgeon. But before you decide to enter the field of medicine and hospitals. The next step is for you to choose which of the various types of surgeons is the right for you. Let’s take a read on what you need to know before becoming a surgeon. 

Doctors Vs. Surgeons: Are They The Same?

While doctors and surgeons are often considered the same thing, both of them are practitioners with different job scopes. They might be in the same medical field, however, they perform different functions in terms of their career. 

A doctor, also known as a physician, is the one in charge of determining the causes of illnesses and other health issues in order to recommend the best treatment and therapies for each situation. A doctor is also an internal medicine expert.

On the other hand, surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in surgery, whether it be general, cosmetic, veterinary, or oral surgery. In contrast to doctors who lack this type of specialty, surgeons perform procedures to treat illnesses and difficulties. 

What is the job scope of a surgeon in general?

Surgeons are medical professionals who perform operations to treat patients’ illnesses, treat injuries, and rectify abnormalities. They examine patients to determine whether surgery is required, weigh the risks, and decide on the best surgical technique. General surgeons carry out a variety of surgery procedures. One who specializes in a particular area of surgery, such as cardiology, gynecology, neurology, or another specialized medical specialty, is known as a specialist surgeon.

Types of Specialist Surgeons

• General surgeon 

• Neurosurgeon

• Colon & Rectal Surgeon

• Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

• Orthopedic Surgeon

• Otolaryngological Surgeon

• Ophthalmic Surgeon

• Pediatric Surgeon

• Plastic Surgeon

• Vascular Surgeon

• Thoracic Surgeon

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

• Urologists

Career Pathway of Becoming A Surgeon

1. Join a pre-university (STPM or A-level) or foundation program in science 
2. Pursue a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery courses in Malaysia
3. Undergo a housemanship for 2 years
4. Become a Medical Officer
5. Further studies at the postgraduate level
6. Undergo supervised training and become a specialist under the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)