A ^Retired Plastic Surgeon's Notebook

Welcome to my blog. I am a retired plastic surgeon in Seattle and was in private practice since 1991. I've seen more than a few interesting faces and cases through my years spent in the exam room, the operating room and the emergency room. And I have an opinion on just about everything relating to plastic surgery (and a lot of unrelated stuff). If you like my blog, let me know. Thanks for reading! Lisa

Category: General Health


Smash the Wellness Industry by Jessica Knoll

December 3rd, 2019 — 1:08pm

I am so pleased to share this opinion piece from the New York Times. My husband and I were celebrating our 25th anniversary in Paris last June when I came across it while paging through the International Edition of the New York Times while awaiting my Croque Monsieur at a tiny sidewalk cafe. Smash theContinue reading…

General Health, Highly Recommended Reading, Stuff I love

“It’s All in Your Head”—Medicine’s Silent Epidemic

October 11th, 2019 — 8:18am

A fascinating article about the mind-body connection.  This is from a recent Journal of the American Medical Association.     Viewpoint September 16, 2019 “It’s All in Your Head”—Medicine’s Silent Epidemic Matthew J. Burke, MD, FRCPC1,2 Author Affiliations Article Information JAMA Neurol. Published online September 16, 2019. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.3043 It’s all in your head” is a phrase sometimes said by physicians to patientsContinue reading…

General Health, Highly Recommended Reading

Got Sunscreen?

June 12th, 2018 — 9:47am

Seattle Plastic Surgeon comments on the results of a long running sunscreen use study from Austrailia.  It’s that time of year when I must nag about tanning.  In rainy Seattle it is so tempting to soak up the sun once summer arrives (that is usually about July 5th).  But please, think before you rip offContinue reading…

Aging Issues, General Health, Skin Cancer, Skin Care, sun damage

I’m anti anti-vaxer

June 4th, 2018 — 8:27am

Anti-vaxers have been on my mind lately.  I recently had a nasty comment directed at my @breastimplantsanity Instagram telling me I should be ashamed of myself for promoting these “toxic bags of death”.  Those who follow @breastimplantsanity closely know that I am not a huge breast implant fan and much prefer other options for breastContinue reading…

General Health, This Makes Me Cranky.

Give me great massage but please hold the b.s.

May 8th, 2018 — 5:22pm

  Yesterday we had a wonderful massage therapist come into the office to give our staff 30 minute massages in celebration of Nurses Week.  Oh yeah, I sneaked in and had one too and it was great.  While having my back, neck and shoulders, arms and hands kneaded, pulled, rubbed and elbowed, I had aContinue reading…

General Health, This Makes Me Cranky.

Silicone injections are deadlier than ever.

March 13th, 2018 — 2:34pm

Silicone has quietly become beauty’s own modern-day scourge. Here’s what you need to know about the infamous injectable. From Haper’s Bazaar, January 30, 2018 by Jolene Edgar We often write about—and unapologetically enjoy receiving—popular cosmetic injections, like line-relaxing Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers. Thankfully for our foreheads and lips, the FDA has deemed these injectablesContinue reading…

Body Contouring, General Health, Patient Beware, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery, This Makes Me Cranky.

What might the Cuban Sonic Attacks have in common with Breast Implant Illness?

February 1st, 2018 — 8:49am

You gotta read this from today’s Slate.com.  This will involve some heavy mental lifting so put on your thinking cap and take the time to read the entire article. MEDICAL EXAMINER Cuba’s Sonic Attacks Show Us Just How Susceptible Our Brains Are to Mass Hysteria The symptoms so many Americans experienced were probably not causedContinue reading…

Breast Implant Illness, General Health, Uncategorized

Being a woman and a surgeon isn’t always easy but it sure beats the alternatives: Being a woman and not being a surgeon or being a surgeon and not being a woman.

January 16th, 2018 — 2:36pm

I participate in a few doctor only on line message boards and forums.  A topic that has been front and center the past few months has been the #METOO movement and some of the challenges women in medicine face.  I’d like to share a few of my own stories.  Fortunately none of them include HarveyContinue reading…

General Health, Government and Politics, It's All About Me., Plastic Surgery, Surgical Eductaion

Get your flu shot already!

September 26th, 2017 — 7:12am

Seattle Plastic Surgeon nags because she cares. It’s that time of year again.  Roll up your sleeve and get your flu shot already.  Why should a “surgical sub-specialist” like me care about whether or not you’ve had your flu shot?  First of all, I’m a physician and it is my duty promote good health.  SecondContinue reading…

General Health

Continuity of Care – A Great Value!

August 31st, 2017 — 1:55pm

Seattle Plastic Surgeon implores patients not to fall for “Botox on Sale”. Occasionally I have patients come in for Botox or fillers who have flitted around from doctor to doctor looking for the “best price”.   I hear statements like  “the last Botox didn’t work” , “the Restylane didn’t last”, “I’m not sure what she usedContinue reading…

General Health, Non-invasive, Patient Beware, Plastic Surgery, Skin Care

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