How Long Does It Take to Become a Pediatric Surgeon?

I've always been fascinated by pediatrics and the idea of helping children overcome health challenges. I'm particularly interested in pediatric surgery, but I'm not sure how many years of training and education are required. Can anyone provide some insight into this?

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Becoming a pediatric surgeon is a long, but rewarding journey. After completing a bachelor's degree, you'll need to attend medical school, which typically takes 4 years. Next, you'll complete a general surgery residency, which lasts 5 years. Following that, you'll do a pediatric surgery fellowship, which can take an additional 2-3 years. So, in total, it can take 11-12 years of education and training after your undergraduate degree.

That's correct! And during your residency and fellowship, you'll gain hands-on experience in pediatric surgery, working closely with experienced surgeons and caring for children of all ages. It's a challenging path, but the rewards are immense.

That's really helpful, thank you both! I'm definitely committed to this journey and am excited to see where it takes me.