Rather than giving patients the “big sell” on the wonders of plastic surgery, Dr. Wang stresses from the heart that educating the patient is priority number one.
“In our field, it’s a little more like a business, and unfortunately sometimes, there’s too much selling and not enough of the educating,” said Dr. Wang. “We need to continue to focus on educating consumers and the public about what cosmetic surgery really entails and what are the risks, so people can make wise decisions.”
Now more than ever, reality TV shows bombard viewers with images of what plastic surgery can do to reshape one’s body, and potentially one’s life. Dr. Wang admitted that most of this publicity has boosted his business. But at the same time, it has also brought about some concerns. Increasingly, Dr. Wang takes on the difficult job of correcting problems that have resulted from failed procedures elsewhere.
“When we went back and traced the origins of all of this, a significant portion is not the fault of the particular procedure but rather the judgment of utilizing these techniques,” said Dr. Wang. “If you don’t use the tools properly, you won’t get the effect you are seeking and you are subjecting the patient to unnecessary risk.”
Dr. Wang completed his training at the University of Southern California Plastic Surgery Program. His practiced received the “Best of Alhambra” Award from the U.S. Commerce Association in both 2008 and 2009. His practice focuses on three main areas: breast enhancement, body contour, and facial rejuvenation. He said that in the last seven years, breast enhancement has been by far the most popular procedure. “Having talked to thousands of women seeking that procedure, it’s pretty clear that breasts are a very important part of a woman’s body. And how it’s shaped and proportioned really affects how they feel about their body, their confidence level, and self esteem,” said Dr. Wang. “But it’s important they get proper counseling and are informed about all the choices.”
Perhaps the next most common treatment is facial rejuvenation, which includes surgical techniques involving lasers, skin resurfacing, and Botox. Because of the increase in popularity of the treatments, Dr. Wang said more and more unqualified practitioners are starting to perform these procedures.
He has even heard about some people conducting such treatments from their own home. Dr. Wang works hard to strike a balance between a patient’s desire and keeping the procedure minimally invasive. “Most people work, and most of my patients are women, and they have a very limited time to recover,” said Dr. Wang. “We can give them some visible improvement with very minimal risk and get them back to their daily routine.”
Body contouring is an area that Dr. Wang said is being driven by advances in technology. At his practice, he is able to use laser-assisted liposuction on areas traditionally hard to treat, such as the face and neck. The result is greater precision and a quicker recovery. But Dr. Wang makes sure to mention that the there are always risks, a message he is not ever bashful about repeating.
“We really spend the time to educate and inform our patients to allow them to make the best choice. And sometimes the choice is even not to have the procedure. That’s OK,” said Dr. Wang. “That’s the essence of my practice. We’re not here to say you must have certain procedures. We’re here to let them decide what’s right for them.”
Dr. Wang was born in Taiwan and moved to Monterey Park when he was 12. He graduated from Alhambra High School and is proud to be serving the community he grew up in. His practice is located at 1234 S. Garfield Ave. #2035 and he can be reached at 626-282-6680.
