Dr. Devgan's Interview on Media & Branding in Haute Living Magazine

Lara Devgan Talks Branding in 2014

January 27, 2014

Click to read Dr. Devgan's full interview in Haute Living Magazine.

What compliment do you hear most from your clientele? How have you earned it?

There are many flattering compliments, but as a surgeon, the absolute best compliment is that your surgical results are excellent. It is nice, of course, to hear that you are compassionate and personable as well, but the proof is in the pudding. As a plastic surgeon, I strive to earn that compliment from my patients by treating each one as my sole focus during the operation, devising well-thought-out surgical plans and diagrams in advance of the operation, using the most advanced surgical techniques, and delivering meticulous results. 

How will you continue to brand yourself in 2014? Are you using social media? Going viral? Using video? Word of mouth? Let us know your strategy! 

I am a bit old-fashioned when it comes to branding and media. My practice is based solely on word-of-mouth and referrals from physicians, surgeons, previous patients and friends. Although a web presence is required in today’s internet era, I believe that the traditional ways of feeding a thriving practice—being a compassionate doctor and delivering excellent results—are the best form of branding. In the end, people want a plastic surgeon who will do an excellent job in the operating room and who will treat them well. There is no media substitute for that.

What is the most difficult type of client to work with? What is your best advice for dealing with this type of client? 

The most challenging patients are those with unrealistic expectations. Plastic surgery can improve your appearance and quality of life, but it cannot change who you are or your relationships with other people. When I have a patient who wants something that plastic surgery simply cannot provide—to save their marriage, for example—my best advice is to take a step back, and understand when not to operate.

Announcing our Valentine's Special!

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT BREAST OR FACIAL SURGERY?
REWARD YOURSELF WITH A SPECIAL VALENTINE'S MONTH TREAT!

Patients who book breast or facial surgery by February 28 will enjoy a luxurious champagne pedicure at the Upper East Side's iconic Cornelia Day Spa-- with our compliments!

A five-start luxury retreat on the Upper East Side, Cornelia is a gem that has been featured in Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, and the Robb Report for its fabulous amenities and relaxing service-- and it is one of Dr. Devgan's favorite places to unwind!

As soon as Dr. Devgan medically clears you (usually at your second post-surgery visit), you'll get your luxurious treat.

THE CHAMPAGNE SHIMMER PEDICURE WITH STEM CELL STIMULATION

Total therapy for your feet and legs
Soak, smooth and deeply moisturize feet and legs. Renew and resurface the skin with our beautifully scented Champagne Sugar Glow exfoliation. A warm foot bath of healing herbal tea extracts including Sea Salts, Peppermint and Arnica Flowers is the perfect antidote to the stress of three-inch heels and New York City achy, feet. Plant-based stem cell treatment from foot to knee promotes skin renewal. Finished with a soothing leg massage of Champagne Shimmer Oil as well as a flawless pedicure and polish application. 60 minutes

APPLICABLE SURGICAL PROCEDURES INCLUDE:

Facelift
Necklift
Chin or under-the-neck liposuction
Blepharoplasty or eyelift
Rhinoplasty
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift

SURGERY MUST BE SCHEDULED BY FEBRUARY 28, 2014 AND PERFORMED BY MARCH 15, 2014 TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS LUXURIOUS GIFT.

To book a consultation that qualifies you for this special promotion, email our office at info@LaraDevganMD.com with the subject line Valentine's Special.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Dr. Devgan is featured on The Doctor Blog: Why Motherhood Made Me a Better Doctor

Why Motherhood Made Me a Better Doctor

January 15, 2014 By Lara Devgan, MD

Once in a while someone asks me if it is hard to be a mother and a surgeon. Certainly, any surgeon-parent can appreciate that juggling a household full of schedules, classes, meals, bedtimes, and activities with a practice full of office visits, pre-operative clearances, post-operative check-ups, and surgeries has its challenges. And to be sure, before I became a mother I had no idea how this would impact my work.

What I have found, however, has been a pleasant surprise. In many ways, being a mother has made me a better physician. Perhaps it is because I am a plastic surgeon and most of my patients are women, but I have found that my ability to empathize with my patients has dramatically improved. When a woman speaks to me in confidence about how breastfeeding has destroyed her breasts, or about how her jeans still don’t fit even though she is back at her pre-pregnancy weight, I am able to nod my head with genuine understanding. When a child shows up in the ER with a broken nose or facial laceration after taking a spill at the playground, I see their big, worried eyes in a way that I never did before I became a mother myself.

Motherhood has also added a gentleness to my demeanor. My experience in academic surgery during residency training often involved quickly and sometimes harshly cutting to the chase. In private practice, I spend time seeing patients who are wrestling with breast cancer, skin cancer, debilitating injuries, and body consciousness that can sometimes be difficult to talk about out loud. I have the luxury of more time to spend with my patients, and I make sure that I spend nearly an hour with every new patient I see. Motherhood has given me a sense of patience that greatly assists in taking the time to really listen.

Finally, raising a child from the tiny stages of infancy has made me appreciate the minute delicacy of plastic surgery more than ever before. In a field where margins as small as one millimeter are visually apparent, obtaining excellent, exacting, and meticulous results is important. Perhaps it is all those hours spent gazing at a newborn that drove home the point so emphatically in my day-to-day work life.

I certainly could not be as effective a surgeon or mother without an incredible support network, a loving family, and lots of child care – and to those things, I am forever indebted. But for young women in medical school and residency wondering if they have to choose a career in surgery or a family, I hope they consider that perhaps they not only can choose both, but that there are strong arguments for doing so.

Click to read Dr. Devgan's full piece on The Doctor Blog.

Breast cancer reconstruction-- know your rights

 Image credit Michael K. Obeng

 This week I am doing several reconstructive surgery procedures for breast cancer, and my patients and I have discussed several important issues about breast cancer that I wanted to share with my web audience.

1. It can happen to anyone

Breast cancer is incredibly common, affecting more than 1 in 8 American women over the course of their lives. This means that you, a friend, or family member is likely to develop breast cancer at some point in life.

2. It doesn't have to ruin your looks

Breast cancer does not just mean chopping off your breasts and losing your femininity. Breast cancer reconstruction can restore a beautiful, curvy, feminine appearance to your body and breasts. Technology has improved tremendously in recent years, and the results are better than ever.

3. You are ENTITLED to reconstructive surgery

The US Government passed the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) to MANDATE that insurance companies cover the cost of reconstructing a woman's breasts after a cancer diagnosis. This is not considered a frivolous luxury-- it is an essential part of your health care and treatment.

4. You can have reconstructive surgery anytime you want

Breast reconstruction can be done right away after a mastectomy, or months, years, or decades later. It is still covered by insurance companies.

 Image credit Govbooktalk.gpo.gov.

5. Even if you have already had reconstructive surgery, you can have your appearance improved

If you are not satisfied with the look, feel, symmetry, size, or contour of your breasts EVEN AFTER reconstructive surgery, your insurance company is required to cover the cost of subsequent procedures to improve your appearance. 

6. You can have surgery on both breasts, even if only one has cancer

One important part of the WHCRA is the mandate for insurers to pay for surgery on both breasts, even if only one has cancer. This includes the possibility of a breast lift or breast implant on the non-cancer side. This is helpful because sometimes surgery on both sides is needed to get the most symmetrical results.

7. You deserve to look and feel great

Reconstructive breast surgery after cancer is not vain, self-centered, or unnecessary. Many women find that it is the best way to restore their body and peace of mind after surviving cancer.

8. I am committed to helping you achieve your goals

As a woman, wife, and mother-- and as a plastic surgeon who has seen a number of patients, friends, and family members through breast cancer surgery and reconstruction-- I am passionate about this cause. I pride myself on helping you achieve beautiful, natural looking results.

If you would like to make an appointment, please contact my office at 212.452.2400 or info@LaraDevganMD.com. If you would like to discuss your situation with me personally, please email me at my personal email address, Lara@LaraDevganMD.com.

 Click to read more about breast cancer reconstruction on Susan G. Komen's website

Record high number of visitors

We are thrilled to announce that our year-end web traffic numbers are at an all-time high. Our web traffic map now features visitors from 6 continents and 39 countries-- with more than 25,000 unique page views, 16,000 visits, and 14,000 visitors!

December 2013 web traffic map. Watercolor map art by Stapen Design. Image copyright Lara Devgan, MD, PLLC.

Our latest web traffic numbers-- thank you to our amazing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery patients for all of the support!