Plastic Surgery Group

As more and more Americans face either elective or required cosmetic surgeries, the challenge of finding and choosing a reputable plastic surgeon or aesthetician can be a daunting task in itself. Combined with all the media attention and endless stream of information about cosmetic surgery, consumers may find the path confusing.

At The Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis, P.C., the business of beauty rests solidly in the hands of medical professionals who are dedicated to science and patient needs—for 35 years. This practice offers the best of both worlds, specializing in reconstructive surgery and aesthetic surgery.

“We are an extraordinary team of eight physicians who simply do good work. We have an amazing support group that has worked with the physicians for years. We all get along, but more importantly, we trust each other’s work, honesty and dependability,” said Dr. Allen H. Hughes, M.D. and a founding member of the group.

All surgeons are board certified, and combined, represent over 140 years of experience in plastic surgery.
In a landscape where consumers can easily be misled by advertising, gimmicks, and promises to improve looks, a group like The Plastic Surgery Group serves as an anchor of knowledge, quality, and longevity.

“We haven’t hired residents straight out of school, not because we wouldn’t, but because highly-experienced physicians seek to practice with us. A good example is Dr. Chandler who spent 11 years with the Air Force and is an extraordinarily talented surgeon,” said Hughes.

Although the advertising world would have consumers believe the latest-greatest lotion or technique is the answer, Hughes and all the staff at The Plastic Surgery Group believe in the power of knowledge and providing their patients with the hard facts behind the glamour.

The surgical team at The Plastic Surgery Group is just one half of the business.

Just adjacent to the surgery group, patients will find the PS Skin Care & Laser Center where Lynn Day, R.N., Robin Blankenship, R.N. and Carla Mask, R.N. offer more than 34 years combined experience. Prior to training as Aesthetic Nurse Specialists, they worked as Plastic Surgery Surgical Nurses. This makes them uniquely capable of offering expert advice. “I think what’s important for patients to understand is that we’re not a spa. While we do offer similar services, we work closely with our surgeons and we can offer products that consumers can’t find in a spa because we are a medical facility,” Day said.

Day and her group also pursue continuing education and network extensively with the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses and the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists.

Blankenship and Day believe that the physical setting at The Plastic Surgery Group appeals to patients because the plastic surgery and aesthetic surgery areas are separate. “While we are all one group, we have separate suites and waiting rooms. I think it’s just more personal and we get to know our patients.

Post-surgical patients may have different needs than someone coming for a cosmetic procedure,” said Day.

And just like the surgeons, the nurse aestheticians believe in knowledge. “We hear all the chatter on morning shows about the latest beauty regimen and we’ll get calls from patients asking about a product. We could pursue them just like other places, but we want to know the track record and if a procedure truly meets a criteria or efficacy,” said Blankenship.

With over 130,000 patients in their database and with 400 patients seen each week, The Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis has lifelong patients like Lynn Anthony of Bartlett. “I first came to the group over ten years ago for an augmentation and couldn’t have been more pleased,” she said. Anthony felt immediately comfortable, but remembers one particular detail about her first visit. “During my initial consultation, my surgeon really took his time and answered all my questions. I liked that he was thorough, explaining what could happen and the results I could expect.”

Since then, Anthony has also had two chemical peels and referred her 19-year old son to see a wound care specialist. Her husband has also visited the group for the removal of a skin cancer.

While fads come and go, the care provided at The Plastic Surgery Group is truly a lifetime experience for patients like Anthony. “It’s a place where you know you’re going to be taken care of, and will be taken care of, for the long term.”

Hughes believes that plastic and cosmetic surgery fields continue to evolve and advance in every aspect. “Like other disciplines within medicine, we just continue to get better and smarter. The advances are amazing whether we are talking about reconstructive surgery, liposuction or skin cancer.”

Ironically, after a lifetime of treating patients, Hughes believes that consumers need to remember that,despite the marketing messages, aesthetic pursuits frequently just aren’t that complicated. Some information would have you believe certain products, pills or procedures are critical, but it’s often not true.”
At The Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis, the pursuit of knowledge and specialized care continues to be the focus of the day. While other groups and fads have come and gone, this group remains the Mid-south’s cornerstone of plastic surgery. For more information on the Physicians and the PS Skin Care and Laser Center go towww.memphisplasticsurgery.com.

Contributing:
Allen H. Hughes, M.D., Lynn Day, R.N. ,Robin Blankenship,R.N.