This may mean getting an insurance company to approve a procedure, preparing the patient for procedure and the care needed afterwards, and of course performing the procedure to the best of my ability... The best part is the appreciation I receive from the young and old from all walks of life.
Caring for patients like family. Giving back. Making certain to give my all to each patient, figuring out their desires, setting reasonable goals, an putting in play the steps needed to reach those goals.
This may mean getting an insurance company to approve a procedure, preparing the patient for procedure and the care needed afterwards, and of course performing the procedure to the best of my ability... The best part is the appreciation I receive from the young and old from all walks of life.
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Scar revision surgery is gratifying both to the patient and the surgeon, but a recently performed scar revision surgery went well beyond the word “gratifying” for both the patient and myself.
The patient was one pound and a few ounces when born 20 ( twenty !!!) years ago… a miracle indeed…and that is when her abdominal surgery created the scar. She has lived her whole life with a scar clear across her belly and that was deep and right down to the abdominal wall holding back all her intestines ( literally 1.9 mm’s away) . Extensive studies ( CT scans ) were done and the case discussed with many colleagues until every aspect of her surgery could be planned, including contingency plans for disruption of the abdominal wall itself. At age 14 she had a chance to have it corrected, but the stars were not aligned properly and she didn’t have confidence in her surgical team. At age 20 she her scar has been safely replaced, yes with another scar, but one much more acceptable, and she's so happy and appreciative. I have been on an emotional “high” for weeks just knowing I did this for her…. This is the kind of reward the Plastic Surgeon I dreamed I would be, lives for. Can a doctor care too much ? I think not. This past week I took care of an elderly gentleman who was to say the least a bit disgruntled with life and his current state of health…. He might have proposed a challenge with regard to being loved, but for some endearing reason, he captured my heart like a parent. This made my job a bit more difficult, but overwhelmingly rewarding. Though he was very brittle and frail is an understatement, but I had to remove skin cancer from both legs and keep in a the position of a figurative pretzel. I worried about “breaking” him while curing him. He returned to the office for his first post-operative visit with a smile on his face. Best birthday present so far :-) ...
Abdominal or tummy tuck procedures can be considered cosmetic or medically necessary. If you have had insurance approved "bariatric" surgery, you may be a good candidate for insurance approved abdominal surgery. I will fight for your right to have this surgery and have done so recently going "peer to peer" and making sure the insurance company follows its own rules. I can't describe how good it felt to see the appreciation in my patient's eyes when she looked at her flat tummy. Cosmetic tummy tucks can restore self esteem and remove skin that cannot be lost any other way after dieting has gotten you to your ideal body weight.
Pro bono work.....working for free....where else do you get free care ...plumbing, electrical, car repair, well you get the message.....pretty rare....but yes it's wonderful ..... I took care of a wonderful young man who had no insurance and had his face / lip torn apart by a pit bull attacking his dog......
He will do well and I felt privileged to be able to provide the care he needed to end this bad chapter of his life with a happy ending... Wound care has always held a special interest for me, especially when I can not only get a wound to heal but prevent it from recurring. Wound care can be simplified into first making the wound a "clean" wound, second improve the circulation to the wound ( reduce swelling and edema), and ultimately preventing the recurrence by eliminating the cause. The challenge is to this in least amount of time and with minimal inconvenience to the patient and family.
Trying to join the military? Well you may have found out too late, that they won't accept men with ear gauges, or anyone with tattoos beyond the neck collar. Not to worry. Gauges can be closed under local anesthesia in an office operating room and a tattoo can often be removed with one procedure. If you are looking to address these issues, I offer my services to "pre-military" candidates, at great prices, and am proud to do so. Just give the office a call to schedule your procedure and complimentary consultation, at 410-761-1743.
Skin cancer for the most part is curable ! when caught early..... Suspicious lesions shouldn't be ignored, as they may grow and become more difficult to remove (excise) and or spread throughout your body. Health insurance should cover an exam and if necessary the surgical removal (and tissue diagnosis) of the growth. Please DON'T ignore a lesion that has begun to grow, change in color, it's borders have become irregular, bleeds and refuses to heal.
Breast augmentation, enhancement, or enlargement is an art, and an experienced Plastic Surgeon, an artist. Choosing the right size and shape implant for each patient is complex and very special. During the initial consultation size, shape, and realistic expectations all come together to create a beautiful body. Breast reduction surgery starts with the first interview. The patient is educated as to what to expect physically, and how the recovery will affect her home and work life. If everything fits the next step is to get the insurance company to authorize the surgery. Criteria have to be met to satisfy “medical necessity”. Having a good relationship with many insurance companies has helped me get the necessary approval. Today we were able get a patient approved the same day.
Not all earlobe repairs are the same. There have been many articles written about earlobe repair, because it is not as straight forward as it seems. The scar should not be linear or straight, the lobe (earlobe) needs to have a contour that is natural, and the two sides being brought back together are never equal. All of the above comes into play when a "surgical plan" is created. Attention to detail can leave a healed earlobe that looks very natural.
Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery today was very gratifying. Eyelid surgery can be cosmetic or medically necessary. Today I performed and upper eyelid blepharoplasty for a patient who suffered from severely lax and redundant upper eyelid skin. The surgery started many days ago when I fought a nurse who denied the procedure, a doctor who did the same, and later approved the surgery as medically necessary. Upper eyelid (not lower eyelid) surgery can be medically necessary, and as a patient advocate, I will fight to get your surgery approved if it is needed. The surgery went great and I the the patient arrived in recovery room pain free and looking great. I got a unsolicited hug :-D.... Life is good Eyelid surgery is both functional and cosmetic, but function and safety have to be the priority. When the balance between function and a great cosmetic result is met, there is art.
I wonder.....can a doctor care too much......because if that is true...I walk the line. I care about every detail when it comes to patient care. Who are you? Are you ready for your surgery, understand the surgery and your responsibilities after surgery, and are you prepared to face those challenges? Have we chosen the correct procedure for "you"? You are defined by the amount of time you have to take off from work, or child care. Will this put a strain on you financially, and are you and your family prepared for this?
Once the procedure is planned, and then performed, the recovery has to be seamless. This often requires frequent visits and guidance. Without this the best operation can fail. A full and satisfactory recovery / result, and a lifetime patient relationship is born. That is when I can relax and enjoy the journey. Took the dressing down today, two days after surgery, and she is pain free and on her way to a full recovery. What a satisfying feeling. To restore function and allow a full night's restful sleep pain free. Carpal Tunnel Surgery is one of the most quickly gratifying surgeries I perform. Patients routinely recover fully and rapidly......
I just love what I do! |
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December 2018
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