Edgar Martos retweetledi
When I was planning to become a breast surgeon, a lot of people asked me —
“Won’t you get bored doing just 5–6 types of surgeries all your life?”
It’s a fair question. In breast surgery, unlike some other specialties, the surgical spectrum is limited. You may perform fewer types of procedures — but each demands precision, planning, and consistency.
For me, that repetition was never a drawback — it was a strength.
I’ve always believed that excellence comes from doing the same thing repeatedly, refining it each time, and striving to make it better than the last.
I would rather perform five surgeries perfectly than do twenty surgeries with mediocrity.
Even during my training, I realized that I thrived on repetition.
Some people get bored doing the same thing over and over again — but I find comfort and challenge in it. Every patient, every case, every nuance is slightly different, and that keeps me engaged.
It’s a bit like how I am in life too. When I go to a restaurant, I almost always order the same dish if I’ve liked it once. I’m not chasing variety — I’m chasing satisfaction.
I think that’s the difference in mindset.
There’s the generalist approach, where you do a bit of everything and enjoy the diversity.
And then there’s the super-specialist approach, where you do fewer things, but you master them deeply.
Neither is right or wrong — it’s just about knowing which kind of person you are.
So, when you’re planning your career — especially in medicine — think about what truly drives you.
Do you enjoy variety and constant change, or do you find fulfillment in mastery and repetition?
That answer might just shape the kind of doctor — and the kind of professional — you become.
#MedEd
English
