Category: plastic surgery

We live in an era of plastic surgery where much of the new procedures and offerings are based on technology. Whether it be new devices, implants, or drugs, plastic surgery (like everything else) is technology-driven. But with each new technology, comes the same old questions of when to use it, is it better than what Read More…

  Undoubtably, we are in more difficult economic times than a year ago….even if you compare the gas prices alone. As is well known in plastic surgery, the less ‘luxury’ income that is available the less elective plastic surgery gets done. Cosmetic surgery is one of the first items crossed off the list in hard Read More…

  One of the most fascinating human observations in plastic surgery is how quickly patients forget what they looked like before surgery. Patients remembered ‘perceptions’ of their face and body is often quite erroneous…or their memories are quite short. Therein lies the value of preoperative photographs. Not only to marvel at how significant the changes Read More…

  One of the most challenging tasks in Plastic Surgery is to try and please patients who are seeking the ‘perfect result’. What I am specifically referring to are three types of patients; a new patient who has never had plastic surgery before, a patient that I have operated on previously and wants the result Read More…

Everyone wants the best deal in anything in life…and in plastic surgery this concept is no different. However, the very cost-conscious patient (shopper) in plastic surgery often turns out to be a problem patient. I am not saying that every patient that wants to negotiate price is a problem, it just seems that there is Read More…

The news today of a teenager who has died in Florida while undergoing breast surgery due to malignant hyperthermia is a horrible tragedy. Many will ask could it have been prevented and how can this happen today with all the technology available in modern medicine? Most of the pubic is unaware of this very rare, Read More…

  Every plastic surgeon understands the importance of listening to patients, either before as well as after any operation. Plastic surgeons understand this better than any other medical specialty, short of psychiatry. (and we have to be part-time psychologists often!) But, quite frankly, listening takes time and extensive time is often not possible at each Read More…

  As a physician and plastic surgeon, I have been extensively educated and have been trained to speak the medical and surgical ‘languages’. Furthermore, spending a lot of time talking to and educating other doctors, I have learned to speak in an erudite and ‘big word’ manner. However, when it comes to talking with patients, Read More…

The typical prospective patient over the past decade has been extensively instructed to investigate the credentials of their chosen plastic surgeon, from board-certification to patient recommendations. All of these are very good and certainly should be done. But many plastic surgeons in any given community will pass the ‘credentials test’. Then what? Don’t overlook the Read More…