Day in the Life of a Pediatric Surgeon

Following Dr. Eric Skarsgard on his grueling 19-hour day at BC Children's Hospital, we meet several of his patients -- some of who need surgery that day, and some who have chronic conditions and need regular check-ups with him -- and learn how he works with medical students and on research projects as time allows.

[@taopanda98]

I was operated as a five year old for cardiovascular surgery. I want to give back to the hospital that made me standing, breathing at this moment. I too, aspire to become a pediatric surgeon.

[@tareqalassri9856]

😓👏👏👏

[@taopanda98]

+Tareq Alassri It has been a long journey and the journey will be hard for surgery but lets do this!💪

[@tienibankss.2663]

i wish you all the best of luck in your future. keep following your dreams babe💙💙.

[@leo-le1ys]

same, I was operated on when I wasn’t even a year old so now I feel the same way as you

[@taopanda98]

@God OnlyKnows song pawlik Thank YOU so much for your SERVICE and LOVE. 🤗 thank you as well for your well wishes💪🏼💪🏼

[@hillarycontreras461]

Thank you for being a good doctor to your patients, sir. I am still praying that someday I can become a pediatric surgeon.

[@Wallsloollikebigpeicesofpaper]

I want to be one to or do therapy but I'll mostly study pediatric then I'll probably quit 5 years later and start to do therapy hopefully!

[@rossjybuis]

its annoying how some people comment on the money... someone in this profession HAS to get a lot. you dont want your doctor to be worrying about other stuff while they are cutting you open. money is the least society can do to thank him after the sacrifices he has made to get there. and you go to hospital at your own risk. with all the lawsuits before you know it there wont be anyone to try and help you because lawyers are sharking healthcare because all they care about really IS the money.

[@jetoyeandrews7824]

exactly who wants a distracted doctor? and they deserve it after all that work and school and impossible hours. cut them some slack.

[@rossjybuis]

+Jetoye Andrews exactly.

[@ChakraDog1]

Lets not mention at least in the U.S its four years of undergraduate schooling,then four medical, and then due to residency 5-9 years surgical/pediatric depending on the specalist. Also he works 80 hours a week and still needs to pay back all that school debt along with any lawsuits put against him. These people are just jealous.

[@raulcalma-deal8792]

God OnlyKnows song pawlik Its just absurd! Like Health Care workers put in so much money, time, dedication. To go back and help people, only to get sued for the hard work? They should be getting paid more in my opinion, and nurses that specialize.

[@tonypeople3815]

Y

[@puffyshirt681]

The pressure of this job...wow.

[@plaidword]

Some people have spent more than 20 years to eventually get their license. They worked full time jobs during college and through professional school to pay for their own tuition, sometimes even having to withdraw and pursue another career for a while before returning to med school. One needs not luck to acheive their dreams, cuz if it was no dream could come true with our own hands. No one is 'fortunate' to get into med or law school, if you worked for it..you deserve it. Many a path there are.

[@queenbellamy2703]

Being a surgeon looks funner on greys anatomy lol 😂

[@Maddy-hv2cj]

Ikkk OMG the show brought me here

[@andreab.869]

Same

[@carissaramsay9492]

Yesss

[@happypremed1088]

Thank you to all our doctors and surgeons who save lives each day 🥺💚

[@vaishnaviv3049]

Salute all the Doctors who work for insanely long shifts sacrificing their family lives...

[@xoamesxo]

i want to be a surgeon too! im a pre med student and i too watch these videos as motivation. its just 8 more years of learning after graduating high school and then you're out in the world practicing for the rest of your life.

[@sophiiawen]

hello! i know you’re probably not going to respond as your comment is 8 years old, but i’m about to enter high school and am interested in pursuing a career in the medical field when i get older. i was wondering if you are currently in residency or about to finish/have finished residency and if so, what specialty you plan on doing. also, any advice for high schoolers to pursue a pre med major and to get into med school would be great! thank you!

[@kayla7279]

omg 11 years later☹️☹️ i hope u ended up in surgery

[@pregas]

good doctors = great respect....

[@shumaylafarheen4563]

one day I will definitely become a doctor

[@nemochicky4697]

2:46 "I feel like crap." I don't blame him. It's normal to feel that way.

[@hcynthia11]

Amazing. I aspire to be just like this doctor.. As a former patient at bc children's, it's amazing how positively (or negatively) a physician's demeanor/bedside manner can affect patient outcomes. Can't wait to come full cycle and work at the hospital that saved my life (one day)

[@malaak8747]

:)) I'm happy for ya Making someone's life better (specifically kids) it's really worth it Thank you for thinking this way

[@brow2447]

hcynthia11 I go to the Laurie’s children’s in Chicago and I want to be a pediatric surgeon when I grow up to give back to the hospital and because I love being in hospital and helping people!

[@LindaIkuta]

Worked with Dr Skarsgard at Stanford. He is a wonderful surgeion.

[@eltoroluckypatientzero1355]

AKA Alex Karev Grey's Anatomy.

[@sydneyh8521]

omg Yasssss

[@ginasmall727]

I literally just spolied it by looking at this lol I'm not there yet

[@kennethgreen9859]

Simply Syd102

[@jelenazainab6606]

El_Toro _Lucky yes!!

[@boosiebaby3103]

Kenneth Green

[@Diana-qr5od]

May God bless this wonderful doctor! Thank you for caring about your patients.

[@matthewwilliams602]

Omg. How hard to be a pediatric surgeon... you have to work on little kids and babies...how scary and hard! So much respect to Dr. Skarsgard! So much pressure.

[@moorecz1]

You learn that you can't save them all. You have to look at what you do as being a last resort, and while you cannot possibly expect to save all patients, saving just one really does show the potential of medicine and neurosurgery.

[@angldrps]

its actually more than 8 years after highschool: 4 years undergrad , 4 years med. school, 2-3 years residency + 1-2 years fellowship (for certain specialties)

[@katelynnharris252]

Theres 5 years of residency for neonatal surgeons 😫😫😫

[@tiffanibryant4786]

I wanna be a regular pediatrician that gives check ups and shots and all that good stuff but I'm 13 so I have a while to go but I'm just so excited to start this career so I have to stay in school and get good grades....😊😊😊

[@ailislay]

same but I feel as if there was someone who I didn't like or annoyed me I would purposely make them wait or do something wrong haha.

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

+Tiffani Bryant Enjoy your teenage years while they last kid :) I know they can be awful but occasionally, you're going to look back on them with a smile Coming from a 22 year old medical student -

[@uncleanis45]

+Pierzing.glint1sh7 enjoy med school. -32 year old doctor.

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

Anis Ettehadulhagh haha sometimes i enjoy it aswell what field are you in Dr?

[@uncleanis45]

Pierzing.glint1sh7 that's nice:) im an emergency doc. but im starting interventional radiology. it's the future. believe me;) and i really enjoy it

[@plaidword]

It annoys me so much when people complain and whine that doctors make too much money and that their high-wages need to be taxed and given to needy people who may or may not have worked as hard as doctors. I mean srsly, did YOU go to school for 10+ after high school? Did YOU pay those tuition fees? Do you work as grueling a schedule? and STILL doctors have to put up with crap from ignorant/selfish people.

[@kittttygirl5]

God Bless the doctors and surgeons who save people's lives.

[@ethanfisher-perez9620]

I'm only 13 and I have done career cruising, and this is what I want to be.

[@ssn90]

What is career cruising ??

[@Shameless_Papist]

Same

[@katelynnharris252]

Hows it goin?

[@inathi9934]

5 years late where are you now?

[@cathyjohnson7922]

Grow big and strong please we are with you your family and friends

[@kaneda1674]

Much respect to Dr. Skarsgard. Pediatrics is one the most anomalous and variable field of medicine.

[@parsonb1214]

My dream is to work in paediatrics and videos like these are just amazing to be able to see.

[@rochelle123ist]

Feeding the fish would be the last of my priorities if I were a director of pediatric surgery at a level 1 trauma center.

[@tohdohsibir]

I aspire to be that surgeon with the Pokemon cap.

[@awdeshyadav7037]

Thùy-Anh Thái uuiioooooo

[@awdeshyadav7037]

Thùy-Anh Thái jikopoiiololoopppopppppppppppppppppppoop99888uygevgbhjjjuuiuuuuuuiijujjjjjjjjjjjjm hjjiioo8uuyttttyuuii

[@davidgoldstein3122]

I'd like to become a paediatric surgeon someday.

[@joeym1898]

OMG he made so much money during that shift lol, and he helped children. What a job and what a man.

[@Lehmann108]

Well, yes, but he's on salary, not an hourly age!

[@Lehmann108]

He's a good doc.

[@coryjane1630]

Greys anatomy brought me here

[@aaronmemon3148]

Everyone can get to Med/Law school if they work hard enough.

[@bmcdermott]

Honestly, no they can't. Some people, maybe. But not everyone.

[@Vyansya]

As a medstud, definitely not everyone. There are too much variable at play.

[@moorecz1]

For a pediatric neurosurgeon it is. What a lucky man!

[@blaby4ever]

But we all know he gets paid very well 19 hours, with $110 dollars per hour on call (calculated from a pediatric surgeon's median annual wage of around $298,000.) For that one day he's banked in $2090 smackaroons. WELL DESERVED

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

+blaby4ever But then he could get sued and lose his job and untold thousands of dollars too...

[@blaby4ever]

Pierzing.glint1sh7 But then with all that money earned from previous surgical endeavors one would assume that he'd already have a good lawyer

[@Dayzephrin]

+Pierzing.glint1sh7 NOT IN AUSTRALIA, thanks medical indemnity. :D - 2nd year australian med student

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

blaby4ever yh hopefully he'd have good lawyer lol Thing is, doctors work insane hours so many of them have a total wage packet that is quite high. So for him to be earning $298,000 a year as you said, he's probably working 80+ hours in the hospital every week + weekends and christmas to get that. Pretty hard life.

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

Dayzephrin lol woah expect me there in a few years then! lol - 4th year med student here

[@iShowOut16Dash]

My thoughts exactly! everyone wants something but no one is willing to work for it. People want 300k just to go to their 9 to 5 then go home and sit on their ass. Pleasee....

[@popupanimash]

omg! pokemon on his surgical cap!

[@moorecz1]

I agree completely! While financial incentive shouldn't be the main reason for pursuing a career in medicine, there still has to be some. It just makes logical sense. Why would I spend 4 years in college, 4 years in med school, 7 years in neurosurgery residency, and 2 years in a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship, if there's not any financial incentive to pay off loans, etc. Ppl who pursue medicine do so because they have a passion for caring for ppl. It's frustrating when ppl don't see that.

[@navinkumar9126]

A very big thumbs-up !!! Great job sir......

[@asishmohanty5800]

Er Asish & Dr Ashish Learning , leading from Team INDIA , An excellent case study , Thanks

[@michaelmm5457]

omg the baby is sooo cute.

[@lakersydney6273]

I love children so much and I love medicine and helping kids. I wanna be a pediatrician to do daily stuff but I also wanna be a Pediatric surgeon because I love operating and using my hands. Ugh I need help

[@malaak8747]

God bless him ((:

[@Theguzmanreload3d]

God bless you doctor !

[@carrieyarnell8603]

can't wait to be a peds surgeon

[@demolitionstudio7855]

I want to be a pediatric nephrologist (kidney doctor) when I grow up considering I am 12 and this summer got diagnosed with a kidney disease that will put me in kidney failure

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

+Demolition Studio Are you alright???

[@demolitionstudio7855]

yes,my symtoms are controlled thank you for asking all i ask is be greatful for good health

[@pierzing.glint1sh76]

Demolition Studio :) look after yourself

[@demolitionstudio7855]

but of course!

[@ElegantSkies]

Actually a lot of med students are taking out a shit ton of loans, I very rarely hear someone paying for ALL of their education out of pocket.

[@carreraGT92]

What do surgeons do if they have to go to the bathroom or sneeze etc. when they are operating for consecutive hours?

[@sydneyh8521]

I have never been in a hospital since I was in Pre School for accidentally having the skin on my head split open and had to get stitches

[@jades333]

admire dedication! cutest twin girls!

[@jedkreuser5518]

I already know I want to be a paediatri surgeon and Im only 2 years old

[@ssn90]

what a joke, you shouldn't be on youtube

[@axk6015]

ssn90 r/wooosh

[@abhishekchakraborty4388]

@@ssn90 come on dude

[@spadingo]

I already know I want to be a paediatric surgeon and Im still in the womb

[@apatheticpanda182]

ssn90 weirdo

[@loverofti]

Its so weird i use to watch and be able to stand watching surgical stuff but now that im older its hard to watch

[@504henrynola]

awesome scrub cap!

[@edenlive4167]

I go to this hospital every couple of months 😂

[@haileybudach9405]

I’ve fallen in love with the thought of being a surgeon because of greys anatomy. Pediatric or trauma are what I’m seriously wanting to do. I’m just worried that it’s not as fun or social as I think it is. Do you get to have relationships like those on greys? Or is it not fun? I want a career like greys anatomy. But that’s a show.

[@verniellove891]

Hailey Budach probably more stressful, less fun.. if fun for you is the craziness drinking and sex. Pediatrics is definitely social. Do some more research , if you had the passion for it . Go Do It!

[@Vyansya]

Dont go into medschool expecting any of that please. You will end up getting dropped out.

[@everydaylifewithstephanie34]

Everyday Life with Stephanie

[@yurushite999]

This is the one specialty I could NEVER go for. Breaks me to just look at it. I’m all about general 🥵🥵🥵🥵

[@isbahjavaidsaeedsoofi3031]

Take care must Every one Thanks Dr and Teams And Get well soon as soon..👍

[@menevamensah4664]

Thanks

[@noahjanay2319]

Thank you for this. I’m almost 100 percent certain this is the cater for ne

[@Jd-ph8bx]

Aww poor kid he cried because he don't wanna do the surgery 😟

[@kseniya1982]

little olive so cute

[@anjaliraghavan2895]

SO INSPIRATIONAL!!

[@oliviaward8437]

I love his hat with snorlax on it I wonder where you buy those I wanna get one for my sister who is going into the medical field

[@Thejazyblu]

I know that I want to be a paediatric surgeon when I'm older that's my goal in life and I'm only 12

[@margiemarcum5968]

I'm 17, a junior in high school, with poor grades and have just recently started becoming interested in the physician field. I regret not keeping my grades up and I have a lot of improvement to do. One piece of advice: START PREPARING EARLY!

[@serenacallahan6074]

Same here

[@jlove4eva1234]

+Margie Marcum relax as long as u get accepted to a 4 year college u fine. Medical schools do not care about what you did in highschool they are more concerned about your academic achievements in college.

[@Jonathan-sn6ge]

+Margie Marcum i'm a current medical student. Don't worry. I was just average when it came to grades in high school. You just need to work hard, do well at a 4 year university, and show the medical schools that you are truly passionate about the field. Good luck!

[@margiemarcum5968]

Jonathan My comment being almost two years old I'm surprised you replied lol. Ever since then I've graduated high school and have applied to nursing school. Even though my career paths have changed I appreciate your advice and will take it.

[@Josh_Koster]

He has a Pokemon scrub hat!!!!

[@Dluu22]

that was awe-inspiring!

[@kavinboylah]

OMG pokemon scrub cap

[@ChippiChippiChappaChappaCat]

Damn Elijah I hope you are doing well wherever you are!

[@anietytretra7168]

holy shit 80 hour week

[@ardivachambers6927]

It will be just fine.

[@angelica437]

A lot of people aren't fortunate enough to go to med school or law school...

[@ciararogers5444]

how nice off yous takeing care off kids

[@boonkneck8033]

This doctor be like GIMME YOUR COLON

[@lindsay8105]

Guys I have to get my 7Th grade shots and I'm nervous do any of you have any advice?

[@mattattack28]

400-500 surgeries per year! wow is that a normal amount?

[@MultiNerve]

I'm not surprised! They need to help relate to children as much as possible. Or maybe he's a Pokemon fan.

[@HarendraSingh-pp5qo]

Good surgen

[@Joker27ism]

So did elijah get a colostomy performed? Because at 5:04 it appears to be an ostomy bag.

[@jannethakponi3220]

My dream Career😍

[@WhereTheBeaversLive]

BCCH certainly was wonderful during my time there...

[@DannyLrides]

poor kid :(

[@ultramaster3000]

me too!!!!

[@nezshiie]

I want to be a pediatric surgeon. :D

[@muhammadzamrysadri7523]

Loveyou doc

[@senhordoobvio178]

That's very complex, now i know because this guys get a lot of money for work

[@yung_tr0n]

Alex Karev brought me here

[@michelangelogreenguavaday1650]

someone call 911 i cant breathe

[@saramelara1073]

My only dream future job 😍✨✨

[@mgtowanonymous3120]

REAL SHAME HE NEVER KNEW ABOUT KOMBUCHA,KEFIR,AND LIVING THE CORRECT WAY. THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION. AND A MASSIVE MISTAKE .🤦‍♂️

[@karlaurbina4561]

arizona robbins and alex karem look different here

[@edwardalvarez107]

How many hours a week is it for a typical surgeon

[@wisdumb4717]

80-100 hours a week.

[@TCUsouthpaw]

+Edward Alvarez its about 40-60. fatty's estimates are way off.

[@siefer209]

+Jaime Perez LOL @ 40-60

[@TCUsouthpaw]

look it up bud.

[@edwardalvarez107]

Jaime Perez hence the question you dunce.

[@michelangelogreenguavaday1650]

i almost got Pedia surgeon but i cant i'm pooping blood but im ok now by the way who's watching in 2017

[@jadecassidy1758]

He would be a good plastic surgeon ... Dr. SCARSguard. HAHAH

[@a5e26]

I have a friend who has chrons disease.

[@michelangelogreenguavaday1650]

im nervous

[@theredblood2976]

MichelAngelo Green Guava Day lol you serious

[@aglover366]

is it just me or does the doctor look like patrick swayze?

[@littlerockdoc3183]

Snorlax!!!

[@serpentdawn54]

SNORLAX!!!!!!!

[@salmahassan664]

I'm going out for