Doctor's Statement
The field of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery combines both the artistic
and scientific parts of medicine. This is true whether the surgeon is undertaking
a complex reconstructive procedure or one that improves the appearance of
a healthy patient. Today many techniques that were traditionally either
reconstructive or aesthetic are now applied to both aspects of the specialty.
This improves the quality and safety of reconstructions being performed
today, as well as improving the caliber of cosmetic surgical results by
applying techniques and knowledge gained from reconstructive procedures.
Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons have always been on the leading edge
of innovation in surgery. It was our specialty that opened up the entire
field of transplant surgery. Starting with the skin grafting of burn patients,
which has ultimately lead to organ transplantation. Many other fields, such
as microvascular surgery and laser surgery, got their early acceptance due
to the work done by plastic surgeons.
Today, there are thousands of well-trained, Board Certified Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgeons throughout the United States. These surgeons, in
addition to performing cosmetic surgery, also treat breast cancer, skin
cancer and soft tissue tumors, maxiofacial trauma (facial bone fractures),
birth defects, acute burns and old burn scars, general wound care and perform
hand surgery.
The plastic surgeon of today has a variety of tools at his disposal. These
tools include liposuction machines, lasers for resurfacing, scar revision
and tatoo removal, surgical microscopes, endoscopes, etc. This equipment,
combined with new techniques for grafting and using synthetic implants has
opened many avenues to the surgeon to help him find solutions for complex
problems.
Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons also support medical research with both
their time and money by sending teams of surgeons around the world to help
the less fortunate. I have enjoyed participating in both of these activities
over the years. We also staff educational programs at a number of universities,
publish several journals available around the world and contribute to the
well-being of our communities by volunteering many hours of our time to
our local hospitals. It is truly unfortunate that a public is only exposed
to a small part of what the 8,000+ plastic and reconstructive surgeons in
America do daily in the lives of the citizens in our country.
In the future, I hope to share both insights and experiences with those
of you who would like to know more about plastic surgery and healthcare
in general. Take some time, and explore this site. It not only presents
the services I have available, but informs you about myself and details
of many procedures available. |
