A.  This word is derived from ancient Greek and Latin and pertains to "form" or "shape". Some people think that plastic surgery is named plastic surgery because it utilizes plastic in its surgery. While implants are frequently used, such as in augmentation mammoplasty, the actual meaning of the word "plastic" pertains to a surgery that changes the shape or form of a person.

A. That is a good question and very easy to answer.

 I wanted to become a doctor from the early days of high school. In my home town of Natchitoches, Louisiana there was a family physician by the name of Dr. Joseph Thomas. My family used Dr. Thomas as our family physician when we moved to Natchitoches, in 1958. I initially knew him as a patient and then more so as a friend. I mowed his yard, did general errands for him and looked up to him as a mentor. I saw how he treated people, with true concern and warmth. I wanted to be like him and become a doctor... with a practice just like his. He stood for everything that made Medicine such a great profession.

       I became a doctor, specialized in Ear, Nose and Throat, served my military obligation, and then moved back to Natchitoches and practiced in the same building with Dr. Thomas. My mannerism with my patients mirrored his example. I liked my patients the same way he did. I loved my job the same way he did.

       Leaving Natchitoches in 1983 I returned to Houston and retrained in Plastic Surgery. I enjoyed the facial plastic surgery portion of my practice, that was part of my Ear, Nose and Throat training, and elected to become Board Certified in Plastic Surgery, by completing the formal residency training and taking the Board Certification Exam. I completed my training and started my practice in 1985, in the Scurlock Tower, across from The Methodist Hospital, in Houston.

       Nothing has changed since I became a doctor, following the example of Dr. Thomas. He died several years ago and I'll always miss him. I will never forget his example in the practice of medicine and the special care he gave his patients. That explains the idea behind "a Doctor/Patient relationship reminiscent of the 1950's".        I will always practice the latest techniques in Plastic Surgery, of which I keep informed by being a Clinical Assistant Instructor with Baylor College of Medicine, and by attending several plastic surgery meetings and teaching courses yearly.

       Patients know the feeling and security a caring physician adds to their care during their surgical and post-operative time intervals. It shows in my practice and in my patient following... I hope that answers the question.

A.  Several options exist related to payment of surgical fees. If the procedure is insurance covered, such as breast reduction or resection of skin cancers, we only require the deductible amount for which you are responsible. The rest is billed to the insurance company.

       Should the procedure not be covered by insurance, such as cosmetic procedures, we require payment of my surgical fee prior to scheduling the procedure. We offer VISA/MASTERCARD payment plans as well as a plan sponsored by the American Society of Plastic Surgery. The VISA/MASTERCARD Plan is preferred by a large percentage of my patients.

A.  The exact period of recovery depends on the procedure performed. When we select the procedure that you desire we will discuss, in detail, the recovery time for that specific procedure.

       Facial procedures, such as a face lift, require a period of eight to ten days off from public exposure. Other procedures, such as face peels, rhinoplasty, etc, require much less recovery time.

       Again, the specific time and duration of the recovery is outlined to you, in detail, at the time you elect your procedure.

A.  I have two office locations... One in the Texas Medical Center and the other on The Woman's Hospital Campus.

       My main office is located in The Scurlock Tower, at 6560 Fannin, Suite 1760, and is directly across the street from The Methodist Hospital. Parking is available for self-park and valet.

       My other office is located on The Woman's Hospital Campus at 7580 Fannin, Suite 215.

       For an appointment please call 713-795-5584 and talk with Rebecca, my secretary, or Mimi, my office nurse. They will schedule you for the earliest available time interval. Both of these ladies know the length of time for the consultation based on what information you supply regarding your concerns.

A.  Yes, I do.

       Several patients allow us to show photos of their pre and post-operative results. I try to show you average results, as obtained on the most requested surgical procedures. I do not show the photos over the Internet as some other cosmetic or plastic surgeons have done. It is my feeling that patients should have their privacy maintained regarding how their pre and post-operative photos are utilized. Once the photos are posted to the web they could be copied or utilized for purposes other than medical or patient education.

       I show photos, from select consenting patients, in the privacy of my office, to patients interested in these procedures. I feel it is important to view photos of the surgical procedures that illustrate the before and after surgery views on a surgeon's actual patients.