Q HOW DID YOU BECOME A PLASTIC SURGEON?
It was my lifelong dream to become a plastic surgeon because, throughout my life, the love of fashion, art, and surgery have all intertwined. In fact, I’m so passionate about them that I coined the term “Surgeonista” to
integrate surgery and the artistry of fashion. I hope to set an example that women can function expertly in a male-dominated field and not lose an ounce of what makes them feminine! Every operation I perform, I do wearing pink shoes. Enough said.
After completing an American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship with Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown, I had the opportunity to join the practice. My childhood dreams have come true.
Q WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?
I’m proud to have attained my goals while being authentic. I can be a surgeon who commands an operating room and maintains a feminine approach. I can talk to patients about how to manage complex anatomy during the day and make dinner for my family at night. I can love Bengals football but also get excited to put on a sparkly couture dress for a fundraiser. I’ve never given up my femininity to become who I am or fallen into the habit of hardening my exterior to advance my career. It’s wonderful to love your work, but your job will never love you back or make you feel whole. Being a person who’s versatile and happy outside of my job makes me more effective and satisfied within it.
Q IN YOUR PROFESSION, WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST?
We are all as beautiful as we see ourselves, and the best part of my job is helping my patients reveal that person. I want to empower my patients to optimize their external appearance to amplify their confidence and inner beauty. Cosmetically, my goal is for my patients to achieve their fullest potential while still feeling like themselves. The fundamental concept at Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery is to help patients achieve a “natural look.”
Q WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
My purpose is to change the public’s perspective about cosmetic surgery. I want to alleviate this stigma of vanity that accompanies aesthetic procedures. Self-expression takes many forms, and we should respect other people’s decisions, whether it’s to have a procedure or not to partake at all! Ultimately, we do much more than surgery, injections or lasers in this field. Patients should feel empowered when they look in the mirror, which can improve their quality of life. Initiating a dialogue that cultivates a healthier approach to our self-worth is important for our generation and our children.