At times, plastic surgery has been under a negative spotlight, with critics arguing that it creates artificial looks and perpetuates a cookie-cutter definition of beauty. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I reject this approach, rather advocating for a patient-centered experience that empowers my patients to define what beauty looks like for themselves. My goal is to enhance a person’s features in a natural way that leaves them feeling more confident with what they see in the mirror. 

As a plastic surgeon, I have spent years working with patients seeking to enhance their physical appearance. After graduating from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, I completed a plastic surgery residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL and later came back to New York University to complete a fellowship at The Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery before joining Associates in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery. Throughout my career, one thing has become increasingly evident: beauty is a subjective and deeply personal concept. While I am dedicated to helping my patients achieve their aesthetic goals, I believe it is essential to listen to my patients and focus on what matters to them.

To achieve a patient-centered approach, patients should take the lead in their plastic surgery journey, expressing their desires at the forefront of the conversation. It is not the plastic surgeon’s role to judge patients based on societal standards of beauty or point out areas they think the patient should work on. That’s why I take a listen-first, educate-second approach to patient care. I ask questions to get a better understanding of what the patient’s larger goal is. For example, if a patient comes to me to discuss an eye lift, I might ask them what they are looking to change about their eyes. This helps me to get a better understanding of what their goals are. If I think combining lower and upper lid procedures would help them better achieve their desired outcome, I might ask them if they would be interested in learning more about what other patients have done to achieve the same desired look. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to decide what is best for them. I do not try to upsell patients and talk them into procedures in which they are not interested.

I strive for balance, not unrealistic transformations. I want patients to appear as a more youthful version of how things began without the obvious tell-tale signs that something has been done.   Precise incisions and advanced techniques help patients achieve natural-looking results. The patient should rest assured their look has been refined discreetly, with the goal of giving them the newfound confidence they desire without undesired scrutiny. 

Patients’ desires and natural beauty should always be prioritized over fleeting beauty trends. My goal is to empower patients to make informed decisions about their appearances and help them to be content with what they see in the mirror. By staying true to these principles, I hope to continue to have a positive influence on the appearance of my patients. 

If you’re interested in learning more, and discussing what you are looking for please reach out to me here.