The surgeon is head of the operating room team. During open heart surgery, the surgeon performs the operation by cutting open the chest, attaching the bypass grafts, and closing the chest. Outside of the operating room, surgeons perform rounds to check on patients after surgery.
Surgeons also evaluate patients and recommend bypass surgery when necessary.
From time to time, surgeons attend meetings and grand rounds. During a grand round, topics are presented and discussed. Surgeons typically work between 12 and 14 hours a day. It is very rewarding to help someone get back into a productive lifestyle.