Many different sorts of people have become excellent surgeons. However, in “the little red book” published by the American College of Surgeons, Drs Johansen and Heimbach discuss surgical “traits” (https://​www.​facs.​org/​education/​resources/​residency-search). These are certain personality traits that are worthwhile reflecting upon when deciding whether you could make a productive and happy surgeon. Such traits include a propensity to lead, good organisational skills, decisiveness, a thirst for excellence, and clarity of thought and communication. Attention to detail is particularly important in surgery because the finer points can have life-changing consequences. Note that many of these traits are only developed over time and with practice, but having a natural inclination towards them is a good starting point.

Whilst surgery is sometimes reduced to the technical act of operating, it is much more than this. It is the privilege of gaining the confidence of a patient who is fearful, seeing them through an operation using meticulous surgical technique and post-operative care, and having the reward of following them up afterwards. Having said this, it is essential that you do like the technical act of operating! So much can be learnt from scrubbing up and simply watching operations. How does the surgeon approach decisions? How do they hold their instruments? How do they handle particular tissues? If you do not enjoy this, then you are unlikely to find surgery a rewarding experience.

If not all of the above sounds appealing, it might be worth considering alternative careers. Technical challenge is intrinsic to both anaesthetics and interventional radiology. Tough decision-making and looking after acutely unwell patients is the day-to-day work of the intensive care physician. Those who prefer more career stability and quicker rewards might consider obstetrics and gynaecology. If having a lifestyle free of on-calls is important to you, consider being a general practitioner with a specialist interest in minor surgery.