After 10 years, most surgeons (and other highly trained professionals) are just hitting their stride - enough experience to be really proficient and know one's limitations, but not so old as to be set in only one way of doing things. Some would even say 10 years is too inexperienced, and many doctrs are still paying off their student loans at 10 years out, not financially ready to retire.

Besides, after having invested 20 years into professional training and becoming a surgeon or other kind of doctor, most are having too much fun to retire - retirement would be a letdown for the next 40 years.

I totally agree. Every field has its pros and cons, but fortunately, in medical training, you get to try lots of different things before graduating as a doctor. Even after that, there are different types of residencies and fellowships.

It's really a matter of finding the right personal fit, at something you're able to do physically and mentally for the next 45 years.

If you really want lifelong job security..., sorry it doesn't exist for doctors or anyone else. Plan on doing a few different things over the course of the next 45 years as you grow professionally and your interests and priorities change over time. Who knows, you might end up doing something that doesn't currently exist. Radiology and radiation oncology didn't exist in 1894, the Xray hadn't been discovered yet!