the other thing that most of us probably fail to take into consideration is lifespan of a proceduralist. we think that attaining specialist title means you are age-proof.

with the exception of gastro, a proceduralist 'lifespan' is probably limited. anyone who's spent good number of hours in OT or interventional disciplines would know that SCs are not the ones with high volume cases. they are sitting in a corner watching their AC/regs do the procedure (rightly so as the younger ones need to learn).

depending on which discipline, most SCs in their 60s no longer operate without a reg/AC/fellow next to them (i.e. if they were in private, their income portion from doing procedures would be significantly lower)

take for example someone who leaves for private as a C:
23 finish med school
24 HO, 26 get into residency
5-6 years of training 31 exit, 32 AC, 33 C
38 finish serving 5 years in public, 39 leave for private
40 start earning $ from private patients

you have 40 to before 60 yrs old, slightly under 20 years to earn the big bucks. retire at 60, enjoy 10 years, 70 prepare to enter geriatrics land await MI or Ca.

compared to breaking bond at 25, chiong 15 years till you 40 (or 45 if you serve out the bond or await full reg) then slow down work part time, spend time with your kids and elderly parents while your house has appreciated in value.

2 very different approaches to life - specialist track is delayed gratification at its finest and enjoying the fruits of your labour towards the end of your life.

[the above specialist track assumes best case scenario - not dukie or IMG, no NS, enter residency PGY3, pass all exams on first try, no service reg after exiting, good business straight out of public into private land. we all know someone who did not achieve best case scenario because, life dont always go as planned.]