why i chose general surgery | med school vlog

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My name is Melody. I'm a first-gen Harvard grad, fourth-year medical student, and (self-proclaimed) spicy nuyorican from Spanish Harlem. I make videos about life as a student in New York City but I mostly wanna make you laugh and ~feel good~ about who you are and where you come from. We're friendz here. 💯 New videos every week!

FTC ⌁ This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through the link, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are followed by an ‘*’ after the link.

[asdfjklasdfjkl]

As an MS-2 realizing that as a woman I CAN have a family AND be a surgeon, I loved this video. Hoping that I get a good placement so my surgery rotation is a positive experience! Love you videos!!

[fromthediningtable]

I also relate to not realizing the extent of your sadness and anxiety until much later when you're no longer feeling those feelings so strongly

[imStoke]

What a trip. I’m also choosing to pursue general surgery because it connects me back to my family’s blue collar background. Also first-gen, so for me working with my hands and being connected to that part of my family is important to me. Thanks for this video!

[TheLionman]

As a surgical technician of 4 years. I’ve had those moments when I got to first assist and see those organs or structures. It blows me away that I got to help those even if my hands weren’t the ones doing the fixing.

[meggles]

hearing abt ur background & ur reasons for choosing surgery were so inspiring to me. im also the first person to go to medical school in my entire family, & come from pretty humble beginning as I was raised by a single mother w/ 3 siblings. what I've realized is that these things are part of what makes us who we are, & will only help us be more empathetic & connect w/ our patients in a way that we would never have been able to if we hadn't grown up that way. thank u for sharing that :)

[sszzsxvs]

Everything you say resonates with me so deeply. I still remember the first time I cut open a an animal heart in year 9 biology. All the other kids were nauseous but for me it was a deeply transformative experience that scratched an itch in a part of my brain I didn't know I had. Just like your time in the surgery, I found it to be an incredibly intimate, grounding experience. It felt natural and I've now decided I want to study medicine. I want you to know I support you and finding your account has made me feel reassured.

[kpippen]

Congrats melody! As I push through this nursing program I will also be the first to graduate college will be the first RN in the family. Thanks for always sharing with us!!

[BMInes]

You cant understand how glad i am to find this video (and your channel)
Im on my last year of med school (passing my most decisive exam in literally 12days!!!, that’ll rank me so i can choose a specialty)
And during my last year of rotations i found myself absolutely LOVING general surgery, everything you said about the use of hands, the intimacy you get to be able to see organs you’ve been taught about for years, without any material barrier between your hand and that organ.. the problem-solving satisfaction you get from your direct actions in the OR…
But what ive been struggling with is as you said, the little knowledge i have of that specialty, i was there as a STUDENT (with much less responsibilities than a 1st year resident) and only for 3 months, how would i know that i want a 30-40 years career out of that glimpse ?!
Also i know that i liked that rotation because of the hard working yet easy going team there was [something about surgeons always fascinated me, they could have the most stressful busy schedule, they’ll always be relaxed and calm cause they know that it’s the mindset you gotta keep to think/act quick and adequate], so i can’t help but wonder if I can confidently say I’d love surgery in a different environnement. This bias (with of course some very realistic advices i had from women peers who i’ve seen try yet struggle to balance their work/life, and usually work wins over) makes me rethink about my motives. Cause what if that team changes ? How will i live the rest of my rotation ? An as much as i loved my 3months there, there’s many things i am yet to do/see outside of work
I’d love to hear some advices from you, im a 24 yo on my 7th year of med school (idk what’s the equivalent in the US). Thank you for reading my message :)) xx

[thesanya.]

hi melody, i just stumbled across this video and im so glad ive watched it. im a first yr med student in the uk and ive been feeling in a slump recently. listening to your 'why' has promoted me to think about mine and has really helped. sending love and thank you <3

[briannaanais]

when i tell you i teared up listening to your why! it was beautiful to hear about your family and their story and how that has shaped you into who you are today. thank you for sharing this ❤️ as an aspiring surgeon, you are my biggest inspiration 🥺

[achoohauhau]

Exercise during auditions 1. speed walking prerounds 2. standing 12hrs of the day 3. skipping lunch again 4. speed walking out of the hospital

[dmd]

This makes so much the part where you talk about your family and how your work in the OR reminds you of them. I don't come from a blue-collar family but I have always loved working with my hands and find surgery to be so fascinating

[oliviasingleton]

rooting for you!!! I'm interviewing for medical schools right now! just subscribed because I also am thinking about orthopedic and general surgery and my reasons are similar to yours in a few ways. i'm happy there's dope women in the field just ahead of me

[kaumalnasir]

You’re such a inspirational and beautiful person

[MrOrazze]

Thanks for sharing your story. As someone doing med school interviews interested in surgery, this was very informative. Good luck with your interviews!

[Ingooodhealth]

First off, so excited for you and your journey!
Second, I love how pons was seeking your hands attention at the end of the video 🥹

[MaxFeinsteinMD]

Really inspiring rationale for your choice in surgery! All the best from the other side of the drapes.

[thebouchstyle]

Melody imma beg you one more time, PLEASE do an MCAT reflection video!! I know you've been a bit far out from it now but still I feel like you have a lot of great insight to help us out!

[valeriaabreu]

I knew you were Puertorrican from the moment I saw you on the first clip of the video and I honestly feel so proud to see you accomplish everything you ever dreamed of. I hope one day I can say the same for myself about graduating to be a freaking doctor!

[ralucatut]

Thank you for taking the time to make these videos, your honesty means the world, so hard to not compare yourself as a student and forget to pat yourself on the back once in a while but you reminded me of how far I’ve come and how much further there is to go. Sending my love from the UK ❤