I’m a woman and a plastic surgeon. This is what beauty means to me.

When I introduce myself as a plastic surgeon, I am often greeted with surprise. Between the slightly quizzical looks, the concerned head tilts, and the explicit queries, the question is clear: How could a woman of substance find herself in that line of work? The truth is that real plastic surgery (in my world, at least) is nothing like its media representations. The nipped and tucked patients with outlandish requests, the salacious and provocative doctors, the ostentatious displays of wealth and consumption — these have nothing to do with my life or career. Plastic surgery, at its core, is an academic discipline that requires more than a decade of intense study, anatomic mastery of the entire human body, and precision surgical skills that are fine enough to sew a one-millimeter blood vessel and strong enough to put the abdominal muscles back together. My patients are real, relatable human beings who have concerns about their physical appearances. When I plan my surgical cases — whether they are reconstructive operations for breast cancer or broken facial bones, or cosmetic operations for facelifts or breast implants — I go through the same rigorous procedure. I examine, photograph, measure, and map out my incisions and approach. I review the patient’s medical history, prior surgeries, allergies, family history, and relevant habits. I consult with internists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and hematologists to make sure each patient is optimized for surge...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Surgery Source Type: blogs