Inspiration to become a plastic surgeon: From childhood itself, I was interested in handling delicate jobs. Surgery itself demands delicateness from the part of surgeons. I come from a humble family. So, I had the opportunity to interact with ordinary people. When I went to pursue MBBS, it revealed to me the miraculous side of plastic and cosmetic surgery. I understood that plastic surgery could bring about a drastic change in the life of ordinary people. For example, if a person’s fingertips is damaged in an accident, it may affect his entire life. That’s where plastic surgery comes as a blessing. It can help him overcome the handicap and deformity and bring back him to a normal life. Plastic surgery can restore his confidence and ability to work. All such attributes of plastic surgery inspired me to become a plastic surgeon.
Memorable surgical experience: Santosh, a young man, was unloading postal parcels from a train at the Mangalore Central Railway Station, when the Parasuram Express knocked him down. He lost both legs in the accident. Thankfully, his dismembered legs were immediately collected from the site and brought to my hospital in a plastic cover at the time of his admission. After eight hours of surgery, I could reattach one leg. But the cells in the dismembered, second leg could not regenerate, so it could not be reattached. In the mean time, the reattached leg developed an infection. That stage was very critical. He underwent seven surgeries. When I approached him for the eighth surgery, he broke down and requested me to amputate his reattached leg. Upon counselling, he made up his mind for the eighth surgery. Now, he is a fine man. I am happy now because our efforts helped him get back to a normal life.
Essential traits of a surgeon: Surgeons should be tolerant and hardworking since certain surgeries may take more than ten hours. Surgeons must not give more importance to the monetary returns than the service they are ought to provide.Suggestions for improvement in the healthcare system: Facilities at government hospitals should be improved. The government should provide sufficient number of staff and a good support system at its hospitals. Or else, doctors cannot function effectively. The government should also provide good pay packages to doctors to ensure that they do not leave in search of better alternatives.
Share this Post: