"Rules of the Game"

Sep 02, 2010

 

Straight Talk on Plastic Surgery

There is a great deal of material out there on the subject of plastic surgery. From the internet to print media to cable television, reams of content abound and a lot of it is not helpful as an educational tool, though oftentimes it is promoted that way. I have found over the past several years, as plastic surgery has become a mainstay on the radar screen of popular American culture, that I have had to spend more and more time un-educating patients about what they've heard or read, and then re-educating them as to the true facts of a given procedure or service. It's the reality show that skips the detail on recovery from a procedure, or the magazine product advertisement that over-promises result, which can lead to unrealistic expectations with patients about what I do.

My promise to you here is that I will give you straight talk on plastic surgery. I will tell it like it is and as I see it. I have no conflicts of interest with any business or vendor to cloud my objectivity. Yes, I will voice my opinions here, but it will be based on facts and data available to me at the time, my experience, and my professional philosophy of putting the well being of the patient first.

This blog is not designed to sell you anything.

This blog is not designed to highlight my practice or me. This may be hard for some to believe in a time of overzealous marketing in the medical field (more on that in a future blog), but it is true. Furthermore, I anticipate that many who may benefit from this blog will never have the opportunity to meet me professionally, due to geographic limitations. I am in a service industry, and in my mind, there's an emphasis on service. And this blog is an extension of the service I wish to provide. This is not to be construed as an advertising catch phrase. I truly believe this, and try to live my professional life this way. To that end, I have surrounded myself with like-minded team members in the office. Two caveats here are the following: (1) while I obviously do need to "keep the lights on" so to speak via my work, I have for many years been able to do that without this blog and the extra work it entails, so this endeavor is not a means to that end, and (2) if reading this blog gives you a better idea that you and I are a good (physician-patient) fit, then the overall experience will be more beneficial to you, and I'll welcome that benefit.

This blog is a more casual, conversational approach to the topic.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a serious subject. Whether covering any number of topics on cosmetic procedures, or simplifying a complex issue in the world of reconstructive surgery, all this stuff can be overwhelming to a layperson. Despite that, I will be communicating with you conversationally. It will be more casual talk than when I am giving a formal presentation, preparing an article for a medical journal or speaking to peers in a suit and tie.. As you read, think of this conversation occurring one-on-one at a backyard barbeque, for example.

Opinions vary.

In the context of my "straight talk," there may be other opinions out there from sources with the same patient-centered philosophy as mine who arrive at a different conclusion, and that's okay, and even preferable, in the big picture. In any field of medicine, differences of opinion, in the long run, benefit the patient. This occurs because each course of treatment can be carefully and objectively evaluated. Outcomes are studied. Benefits are assessed. Safety is evaluated. And the end result is a safer, more effective treatment plan for a given condition. The bottom line is, two well-trained, well-meaning and experienced plastic surgeons can disagree. I can respect these differences so long as we share a patient-centered philosophy.

I am a "Top of the Bell Curve" Guy.

There are so many new products, tools, procedures and ideas that flood the world of plastic surgery that it would boggle the mind. What is seen as "new" today in the media at a given time is, in reality, only the tip of the iceberg at that moment. This reality puts a special burden on me as a plastic surgeon. I have to thoroughly and objectively evaluate these new potential tools before integrating any one into my practice. After all, the well being of my patients is at stake. As such, I don't jump on the bandwagon with the newest thing to hit the market (left of bell curve). This may be done by some practitioners in an attempt to "corner the market" on a product or service before it's been proven safe and effective (bad idea). Nor do I sit around and let a well-tested and proven treatment option remain unavailable to my patients (right of bell curve). I balance these two extremes by first waiting on solid data (on proven effectiveness and safety) to be presented before offering a new service to my patients.

So thanks for being here. I hope that through the blogs to follow and other resources on my website, you will find yourself a more well informed patient. As always, I welcome your comments and feedback ([email protected]). And always remember, no matter where you are, Life is good.

 

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