I’ve been fortunate to learn from great mentors, and I’m still learning. This journey of growth has taught me that it’s my responsibility to pass it on.
Recently, I had the privilege of mentoring 10 young surgeons on laparoscopic umbilical and inguinal hernia repairs. These were not beginners—they were already performing these surgeries. But they weren’t here for the basics. They came to refine. To sharpen. To get better.
Every surgeon’s growth has phases:
Phase 1 is when we learn the anatomy and steps of a surgery. We understand the science behind every decision.
Phase 2 is when we step into the operating room on our own. Confidence begins to grow as we put our knowledge into practice.
Phase 3 is when we strive for excellence. We notice the small technical challenges—a knot that doesn’t sit quite right, a dissection that feels slightly off, or a desire to complete the procedure with greater efficiency and finesse. We seek guidance. We watch senior surgeons, mentors, and experts who’ve faced similar challenges and refined their skills over time.
Phase 4 is a pivotal step. This is when we invite a mentor to stand beside us in the operating room. To observe. To guide. To say, “Here’s where you can improve. Here’s what to tweak. Here’s how you can be better.”
I believe this phase is absolutely essential. Growth in our skills is an ongoing process, and unless we acknowledge that there’s room for improvement, we can’t progress.
The mentoring session we had was a Phase 3 moment for the surgeons. They came not to learn from books or videos, but by being present—watching surgeries in real time.
We focused on the small refinements that make a big difference:
Tackling challenging angles during dissections
Subtle adjustments to reduce post-op pain
Techniques to ensure the mesh sits perfectly, every time
And many more nuanced steps.
But this is just the beginning.
The next step will be even more impactful. We’ll visit their operating rooms, stand by their sides, watch them in action, and offer guidance as they perform surgeries.
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we recognize the scope for improvement and open ourselves up to learning. It happens when we say, “I want to be better.”
Let’s create spaces where others can grow, refine, and elevate their craft. Because growth isn’t just about us as surgeons—it’s about our patients.
Every patient deserves a surgeon who is always striving to be better.