When did operations become surgeries

[Haint]

Just that really

He’s had a third surgery

I’ve had many surgeries

I’m sure we used to say operation

Could it be because 'operation' is used as a term to describe other things now? - like military operations etc

So surgery is more descriptive perhaps?

I have no idea!

Also perhaps because surgeries are carried out by surgeons and not operators.

Even surgeons used to say “operate” I remember from my student nurse days! It began to change in hospitals years ago, probably at least 15 if not 20 years.

I think it’s an American term. They’ve always referred to ‘surgeries’.

Can't say I've heard it used that way by anyone irl.

I think it’s an American term. They’ve always referred to ‘surgeries’.

And yet in the US a surgery is done in an Operating Room whereas in the UK it's done in a Theatre. Language is a funny thing.

Surgeries are referred to as procedures in my HB. I always thought it was part of the drive to lessen the fear and expectation of length of stay - the perception being that if you were operated on, you might need to stay in hospital for a few days, but if it was a procedure being carried out, it's not unreasonable to return home as soon as you are awake. TBF, most people recover much better at home, not least because they can get a decent sleep.

It’s an operating theatre because they did the first ones with an audience.

We are encouraged to use the word treatment room rather than surgery in my line of work to lessen the fear. Americans call it an office which I find really weird because I link that to doing paper work type thing.

what about GP surgery?

An operation (noun), operate (verb), perform surgery (perform is the verb, surgery the noun), the GP's surgery is on Random Street (surgery is a noun refering to a place in which consultations take place but no surgery is carried out (or occasionally very minor procedures under local anesthesia). Procedures - noun.

I suppose "surgeries" makes as much sense as "operations" and "procedures" - all the words have more than one meaning (building in which a GP or even member of parliament consults with patients/ constituents, military operation, any kind of procedure including in business, certainly not only medical.

I agree using surgeries to mean surgical procedures / operations sounds daft to my ear. It sounds awkward and forced and out of place used that way. Sometimes people seem to want to use a different word to imply greater experience, but actually convey the opposite.

I suppose if it's what you're used to it doesn't sound so incongruous.

Is it the word used in American hospital dramas?

Along the same line, why do GPs and Dentists work in practices? It sounds like they are still learning their job!

No idea why I work in a practice but wish I didn’t have to go back there after 2 weeks off on Tuesday 😫

Ps we are learning all the time! Life is one big lesson.

difference spelling though isnt it
practice medicine.

i need to practise playing tennis

That is very true!

Gosh, I hadn't noted the different spelling!

I’m not totally convince I practice dentistry but practising it really does look wrong.

I always thought it was an S for the verb and C for the noun. But the Americans don’t follow this rule...

the spell check didnt like practise but it is true,

They say operation in the US, too.

"surgery" is more precise and has fewer syllables. Expecially in sentences. "having surgery" vs "having an operation."

Often procedure seems to be used instead of surgery or operation, makes it seem less invasive and scary.

*difference spelling though isnt it
practice medicine.

i need to practise playing tennis*

No, that's not correct, sorry. Practise is the verb for both. A doctor practises medicine in a practice.

Oh better example

Procedures is broader than just surgery surely

I agree it is, I think it’s good for when you don’t know what their going to really do...and for telling people when you want to keep things private.