Dr. Franco Migliori - Plastic Surgery In Genoa, Italy

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Italian Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Franco Migliori

Dr. Franco Migliori: What do successful plastic surgeons have in common?

Name: Prof. Franco Migliori, MD
Location: Genoa, Italy
Website: francomigliori.com

With medical malpractice claims that are 10x the European average and a a growing trend towards unregulated minimally or non-invasive proceedures, plastic surgery in Italy is a competitive market.

Dr Migliori's been an early adopter of new technologies, including the internet, where he's been on the web since 1995, ready for the challenges and opportunities of online marketing.

As a plastic surgeon in Italy, how have you seen the aesthetics market developing? 

Italy has a very competitive cosmetic surgery market due to one of the highest number of board certified plastic surgeons in Europe (more than 1,500) and due to a loosly regulated market, with more than 25,000 so-called "aesthetic surgeons", many of which have much less expertise and skill. Nevertheless, Italian plastic surgery is one of the “top quality” plastic surgery countries, planting its roots back in the centuries with famous names like Branca, Vianeo, Tagliacozzi and Sanvenero-Rosselli, and showing so many contemporary high-level practitioners.

Like most places, the patient types are split into “institutional” (gathering all the pathologies, like traumas, tumors, malformations, burns, etc.) treated mainly in public hospitals and paid by National Health System, and “private practice” (which is mainly aesthetic surgery) performed in private clinics and paid by the patients themselves with no

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Dr. Lawrence Broder - Beleza Medical Spa In Austin Texas

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Dr. Broder has a unique combination of primary care experience and surgical training. Now he's has dedicated solely to medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery. What prompted the move?

Medical Spa Austin TX

Name: Lawrence Broder MD
Clinic: Beleza Medspa
Location: Austin TX
Website:  BelezaMedicalSpa.com

That's interesting: Dr. Lawrence Broder is a decorated veteran. He is a former US Army Major and Flight Surgeon. 

Dr. Broder - Medical Spa Austin TX

Family Medicine is very similar to cosmetic medicine. It's all about customer service. Many of the patients you see as a PCP will get better on their own and your job is to not hurt them and reassure them. As a cosmetic physician, the patients are different and are usually looking for a correction of a specific problem. You have the solution to that problem. Just like a PCP, the cosmetic physician must make sure the patient gets the right treatment without harm and reassure them about the side effects and results. The cosmetic patient who has feels better about their appearance, usually is happier than the patient whose sore throat has resolved. The sore throat probably would have resolved on its own, but I directly helped the cosmetic patient.

The other thing I enjoy about Cosmetic medicine over family medicine is the transparency. My prices, my results, my reviews and my background are all there for every patient to see. As a PCP, the patients did not know what the prices were (insurance), did not know if I had good outcomes with my patients nor knew who I was most of the time. I believe the whole US medical system is designed to extract as much money as possible from the insurance companies and Medicare/Medicaid by upcoding and unnecessary procedures. Cosmetic patients know what they are paying and will even bargain for better prices. Cosmetic physicians have no choice but to be honest about their prices and results, there is no...

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Dr. Yoel Moyal: The Clinique Revolution du Plateau In Montreal

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Dr. Yoel Moyal: The Clinique Revolution du Plateau In Montreal

Dr. Moyal is at the cutting edge of new injection techniques to offer a variety of treatment choices for his patients.

Name: Yoel Moyal MD CCFP EM
Clinic: Clinique Revolution du Plateau
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Website: clinicrevolution.com

Can you tell us more about your career transition from specializing in Family Medicine to Emergency Medicine to Aesthetics?

I have worked in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine since graduating and recently became interested in esthetics as a means of doing more procedures and fine techniques. I also use my esthetic practice to balance out the often hectic environment of the Emergency Department with the quiet, serene environment of my office.

How do you market yourselves to patients and what do you do that your competitors aren't doing? 

Marketing medical esthetic services to clients is tricky as our ethical code in Quebec does not allow for the solicitation of a client/patient by a physician. We can inform people of the services we offer but can not incite patients to have a procedure done.

This applies to injections of Botox, dermal fillers and other medical-surgical procedures. Treatments such as laser hair removal, IPL and other esthetic services not performed by a doctor can be marketed. Doctors may not sell, endorse or associate any product or brand  to their name in Quebec.

Canadian Cosmetic Medicine Dr. Yoel Moyal

Are there any treatments or technologies that you're especially excited about that haven't hit the market yet? What do you think about new therapies like stem cells or others? 

I am excited about autologous fat transfers for restoration or augmentation and hair cloning for hair transplantation.

As a physician it is wiser to offer services that are exclusive to our profession such as injections or surgical procedures. It is difficult to compete in a market where anyone can offer the same services. For example in Quebec anyone can offer IPL , laser hair removal or tattoo removal but only doctors can inject. A doctor offering laser hair removal in his clinic can not compete with an esthetician doing so in her basement.

That being said, at our clinic we offer Laser hair removal as some people want to go to a clinic where there is medical supervision but the majority do not place much value on that. The majority of our practice revolves around  minimally invasive procedures such as injections of Botox and dermal fillers.

I do not encourage physicians to invest heavily in machinery as the technologies are often overpriced and often underdeliver in terms of results. Many estheticians can obtain similar results (in most cases) with mechanical (low cost) treatments with less risky side effects compared to  new technologies.

Technology has its place but not as much as savvy salespeople would have you believe.

The way to add new technologies is to introduce them into your practice based on the foreseeable demand from your own established clientele and the clienetele that you wish to attract. For example, your current clientele is between 45 to 65 years old doing BOTOX and dermal fillers regularly , the majority of your clients have sun damaged skin or pigmented lesions , they often ask if there is anything to be done. You should consider adding resurfacing technology or IPL at this point.

If you are considering adding a new service then careful market research in the territory you serve is vital- do not take the salesman’s word for it that  there will be people will be breaking down your door to try your newest machine and spend significant amounts of money.

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Francis J. Collini MD, FACS - The Renaissance Center For Plastic Surgery In ShaverTown, PA

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Apart from running a medical practice, Dr. Collini is committed to giving back.

Name: Dr. Francis J. Collini
Clinic: Renaissance Center for Plastic Surgery
Location: Shavertown, PA
Website: collini.com

Interesting: Dr. Collini is well-known for his humanitarian and community efforts. He is the co-founder of Community Cares for Kids which donates medical services and training to disadvantaged citizens of Third World countries. Over the past fifteen years, Dr. Collini has performed over three hundred surgeries in Ecuador on children with severe birth deformities and disfigurements caused by accidents and injuries.

What kind of tactices or strategies have you focused on to grow your practice?

I was taught as a resident plastic surgeon that the best way to grow your practice is via the 5 A’s: availability, affability, ability, affordability and attentiveness. In keeping with these principles, I am on call for my patients and the emergency room at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I treat patients with respect and listen to their problems as best as I can. I then provide them with the best and most modern techniques in plastic surgery available.

Television has been the most highly effective marketing medium for my practice. It provides the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak and reaches the most outside people. I also have an LED sign in front of my office that provides up to date information regarding my practice and has proven to be a marketing bonanza.

Which technologies do you see being developed that might impact a plastic surgeon in the next ten years? 

Pills that remove fat or grow hair are on the horizon and I feel that they will negatively impact plastic surgeons...

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Michael M. Dao MD, Founder of Leur Lab Integrated Aesthetics

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Dr. Michael M. Dao, Founder of Leur Lab

In Newport Beach, Leur Lab’s sleek hardwood floors, modern fireplaces and shimmering chandeliers feel more like a metropolitan hotel lobby than a traditional cosmetic clinic.

Leur Labs Medical SpaName: Dr. Michael Dao
Clinic: Leur Lab Integrated Aesthetics
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Website: LeurLab.com

Leur Lab Integrated Aesthetics is designed to discover the aesthetic concerns of each individual client, in order to create a custom tailored treatment program that specifically targets the client’s concerns. Leur Lab also seeks to educate each patient on the importance of preventative maintenance which is instrumental in helping slow the aging process.

You’re using a number of laser and aesthetic devices in your clinic. How did you decide on these technologies and what did you compare it with? 

Our team specializes in leading-edge procedures such as the Vampire Facelift along with other designer treatments and combination therapies. I am constantly researching and vetting the latest, innovative laser and aesthetic device technologies to determine whether or not they are a fit for the Leur Lab practice. Our goal is to provide patients with the most advanced, non-surgical treatments available along with unprecedented access to the latest innovative technologies such as the Tri-Beam Laser.

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Dr. Michael Ehrenreich, Founder of SOMA Skin & Laser

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Dr. Michael Ehrenreich, SOMA Skin & LaserDr. Michael Ehrenreich, the prime mover of SOMA Skin and Laser in Millburn, New Jersey.

Though most people know him now as a dermatologist, Dr. Ehrenreich has a broad range of dermatological interests: medical dermatology, cutaneous surgery, laser surgery, cosmetic dermatology. He is also a noted authority in tissue engineering.

Dr. Ehrenreich began his career as an investment banker. His background proves to be a critical element to the success of his practice. 


Name: Michael Ehrenreich, MD, FAAD
Clinic: SOMA Skin & Laser
Location: Millburn, NJ
Website: somalaser.com

You have a very interesting career path as you hold a BS in finance, aside from having a medical degree. Can you tell us more? 

Prior to attending medical school, I was an investment banker, so I have a strong business background. A business background is certainly helpful if you want to start and operate a practice. Although physician’s work to help people, medicine is also a business. And like any other business, it’s hard to succeed at it without some business skills. Medicine is moving away from the sole practitioner model. More and more, physicians operate as...

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Dr. Donald Rainone At Smoothskin In Londonderry, NH

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Londonderry, NH Cosmetic Physician Dr. Donald Rainone

The business of cosmetic medicine has its ups and downs according to Dr Rainone.

Name: Donald P. Rainone, M.D.
Clinic: Smoothskin Cosmetic Laser Center
Location: Londonderry, NH
Website: smoothskinnh.com

Tell us a little bit about your clinic.

The clinic is co-owned by me and an RN. I provide leadership and direction, and perform all laser and injection procedures. The RN oversees HR, risk management, and customer service issues, and maintains vendor relations. The esthetics manager directs the esthetician team, and performs quality control over esthetics procedures and equipment. 

I offer medical injectables, laser tattoo removal, laser rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, IPL hair removal, and IPL brown spots and facial vessels. I pared down my services, especially when the recession hit from 2008 – 2011, omitting massage, laser leg veins, lipodissolve, and liposuction. Focusing on fewer services has heightened my expertise level and made me busier.

My patient population covers all ages, both sexes, and a broad socioeconomic distribution. Tattoo removal brings in more lower income, young males, while medical injectables bring in higher income, older females.

I am located about 50 minutes north of Boston, MA, 15 minutes over the New Hampshire border.

I have only about 1,000 SF and every inch gets used to the max: 4 treatment rooms total. One thing I stay on top of is how much revenue per square foot, per hour, is generated by the rooms. This helps me when deciding what to expand or cut.

Can you give us some insight into how you hire, manage, and motivate your staff? 

Hiring is a challenging event and we apply some rigor to avoid getting the wrong person. We usually post on Craig’s List and weed out the obvious poor fits prior to an interview. We then do several return interviews with the RN and Esthetics Manager. We have esthetician candidates do a sample facial on the esthetics manager to test how caring they are in the touch/handling aspect of a client. I have found that anyone can be trained, but you cannot teach “nice.” Kindness goes a long way in this field. 

Yes, I have lots of horror stories. We address problems in real-time, document the discussion in the employee’s record, and promptly terminate any gross violations. One employee was not completing her tasks because she was spending the day logged onto dating sites. She did not even bother to erase the browser history.

Unfortunately, I suffered a great financial loss by an employee who turned out to be a professional white collar criminal, embezzling the total cash equivalent of one quarter’s gross revenues. I was able to recover 20% of that through legal action.

I now run a criminal background check on every potential new hire. I also tightened the password access to transactions in the point-of-sale software, hindering the ability for employees to hide evidence of cash skimming. As a final precaution, I now make all my own bank runs for cash deposits. 

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Dr. Jose A. Garcia, Medical Director of Aura Laser Skin Care

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Dr. Jose A. Garcia takes part in molding new physicians in cosmetic medicine and surgery. Is he seeing a paradigm shift in medical education?

Name: Jose A. Garcia, MD, FACOG, FACS, FICS, FAACS
Clinic: Aura Laser Skin Care
Location: Kirkland/Bothell, WA
Website: AuraLaser.com

That's interesting: From the inception time of Aura Laser Skin Care back in 2005, we looked at the many technologies that were available and decided to go with the ELOS technology by Syneron. ELOS stands for electro-optical-synergy and combines both radio frequency with light energies to produce safe and effective treatment. Furthermore, for laser hair removal, Syneron uses the 810 diode which is fast and works for all hair color and skin types. We initially looked at the ND Yag by Cutera as well as the Alexandrite. The problem was that the Alex is painful and good for skin types 1 and 2. The ND Yag is best suited for skin types 3,4, and in some cases 5. That meant that we had to purchase 2 lasers or a combo Alex-Yag laser as opposed to only one laser with Syneron.

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Dr. Alex Kaplan, Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgical Center In LA

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Dr. Alex Kaplan Los Angeles, CA Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Alex Kaplan has targeted a niche market...celebrities.

Name: Alex Kaplan MD
Clinic: Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgical Center
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: CelebrityLaserSpa.com

That's interesting: The Kaplans are big proponents of the "Made in the USA" movement, purchasing Made in the USA office supplies and products whenever possible. When you come to Celebrity Laser Spa, know that you are supporting a small business, real people and all things Made in the USA too!

Can you share your career path as a cosmetic surgeon?

I attended residency in combined general and plastic surgery at University of Chicago.  After attending 5 years there. During residency at UCLA, I volunteered to provide laser tattoo removal at a gang intervention program in East Los Angeles. This gave me the idea to start a cosmetic laser practice specializing in laser tattoo removal. My medical spa was one of the first to specialize in laser tattoo removal. We started making a name for ourselves, growing over the years and adding a variety of other services to the practice, and we are now well-known in Los Angeles as Celebrity Laser Spa & Surgical Center.

Los Angeles, California Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Alex Kaplan MDHow is your practice organized? What types of medical technologies do you have and how did you select them?

From the beginning I have taken care to use technologies that offer a proven value to patients. I strive to offer procedures that offer a unique advantage over other techniques, If I don’t think a product works well, or the science behind it doesn’t make sense, I wont offer it at my practice. I am one of the first providers for new technologies, such as Tickle Lipo, Dermapen and Picosure.

I am the sole owner of CLS and work with several mid-level providers and

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Jean M. Casello MD, Medical Director Of Renovo MD In Shrewsbury, MA

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Dr. Jean M. Casello entered the world of the cosmetic industry with uncertainty, which paved the way for a flourishing practice.

Jean M. Cassello MD Shrewsbury, MA Renovo MD Medical Director

Massachusetts Medical Spa Physician Dr. Jean M. Cassello Name: Jean M. Casello,MD
Clinic: Renovo MD
Location: Shrewsbury, MA
Website: RenovoMD.com


Can you tell us more about the daily operations of your clinic?

Our clinic is composed of an office manager, receptionist and a part time in-house marketing director. The office manager takes care of the day to day running of the office. On the clinical side, I am on site full time and I have a full time esthetician. We are in the process of hiring another esthetician and a nurse to do the injectables.

We offer comprehensive services: fillers, Botox, IPL, LED treatments, fraxel resurfacing, electrology, skin tightening, sclerotherapy, permanent makeup, chemical peels and pharmaceutical grade products. We have recently added tattoo removal.

Our patient population is mostly women from 40-70 years old. We also have a fairly large population of teenagers with acne. About 20% of our patients are men.

We are located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. We are in a small town about 40 miles outside of Boston. We see patients 4 days a week in this office and one day a week at our off site off

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Brian Buinewicz MD, Plastic Surgeon At Le MedSpa In New Jersey

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Juggling tasks at the medspa, at a hospital and at the university is no easy task. Let's see how Dr. Buinewicz handle multiple responsibilities and manage priorities.

Name: Dr. Brian Buinewicz
Clinic: Le MedSpa of Buckingham and Flemington
Location: Doylestown, PA and Flemington, NJ
Website: lemedspabucks.com

Your clinic basically offers a holistic approach in a sense that it covers everything from face, to body and even health and nutrition. How did you grow your business? How is your clinic organized? 

Our practice is a dual physician based practice covering all of the patient’s needs from nutrition, exercise, primary health care, weight management in addition to our full service medical spa and plastic surgery services. The business grew naturally by constantly offering the best and newest treatments for our patients. We evolved over the years to have a “tool chest” full of options to offer our patients, not just surgical intervention, for example. When the only tool you have is a hammer, the whole world becomes a nail.

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Dr. Michael C. Edwards: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon In Las Vegas, Nevada

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Dr. Edwards thinks he's found numerous advantages over the current system. Let's find out why.
Las Vegas Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Michael C. Edwards

Name: Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS
Clinic: Edwards Plastic Surgery
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Website: MEdwardsMD.com

Many doctors have been taking advantage of social media and SEO in marketing their practices. Has it been helpful to you as well?

We have maintained a good internet presence with a lot of educational information on our site(s). Like most would say print media does not help you. I would recommend on focusing on educating your patients and not a lot of flash animation. Many patients don’t have the patience for that and they will move on. I do use some social media but not to the degree that many other plastic surgeons use.

You're using IPL in your clinic. What affected your buying decision? Where do nonsurgical technologies fit in your practice?

I no longer use the IPL however I do perform a lot of non-surgical treatments with neuromodulators and fillers. I purchased an IPL when I opened my practice and it was used for skin treatment as well as hair removal. The proper maintenance did not make the potential profit worthwhile, especially as my practice transitioned away from facial surgery.

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German Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Simone Hellmann of the H-Practice

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Surprisingly, plastic surgery in Germany is a taboo. Physicians strive to achieve a natural, un-operated look for their patients.Germany Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Simone Hellmann

Name: Dr. Simone Hellmann
Location: Cologne, Germany
Clinic: The H-Practice
Website: h-praxis.de

Can you tell us what is it like practicing cosmetic surgery in Germany?

In Germany, cosmetic surgery is not highly accepted – unlike in Brazil for example. Most patients –at least in my practice - are female and they are not very open to talk about that topic with their friends and family. They mainly gather their information on the internet and we are all aware that not every written word is true and that one should hardly trust all of those reports, forums or blogs. Therefore, you have to be very discreet as a doctor and you really have to thoroughly inform and educate your potential patients. Only if you are consistently showing excellent results and offer highly qualified services you are able to build up a pool of loyal patients who will refer you to their best friends. At this level you can create a solid patient base, but it will take you quite a while.

Cosmetic surgery patients in Germany are very much afraid of what they see in magazines and on tv – celebrities with unnatural looking faces or breasts. So it is my assignment to convince those patients that these looks are avoidable and once they will trust you and your skills, German people can be very decisive for ‘getting it all done’.

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Dr. Luigi Maria Lapalorcia, An Italian Plastic Surgeon

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Dr. Lapalorcia welcomes us to his plastic surgery clinic in Italy.
Dr. Luigi Maria Lapalorcia Italian Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Name: Luigi Maria Lapalorcia M.D.
Location: Perugia, Italy
Website: lapalorcia.dmsindex.com

That's interesting: Dr. Lapalorcia received a Scientific award for being a Section editor for oculoplastic surgery for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Can you tell us more about your clinic?

My practice is a combination of plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. My patients vary a lot, in terms of demographics. I enjoy working with kids but I adapt well to women in their 40s and 50s seeking beauty treatments and aesthetic medicine as well as dealing with cancer patients. Diversity of interaction is part of the beauty of this work.

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Interview: Dr. R. Scott Haupt of Utah Cosmetic Surgery

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Dr. Haupt is very open and honest about the outcomes that patients can expect. His ultimate goal is improvement, not perfection.

Name: R. Scott Haupt, M.D.
Clinic: Utah Cosmetic Surgery
Location: Murray, UT
Website: utahcosmeticsurgery.com

Dr. Haupt has always wanted to purchase a crystal ball. "I would like to gaze into it to let patients know what they will look like after surgery so that I can guarantee their success and improvement."

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Toronto Plastic Surgeon, Wayne Carman, MD, FRCSC

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Dr. Wayne Carman opens up about his thoughts on Canada's medical health system and his own cosmetic surgery clinic.

Name: Dr. Wayne Carman, MD, FRCSC
Clinic: Cosmetic Surgery Institute
Location: Toronto, Canada
Website: drcarmanplasticsurgery.com

That's interesting: Dr. Wayne Carman is Past President of the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and is the Secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Society for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities. Other prestigious positions include membership on both the editorial board of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and also the Premises Inspection Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Your practice is relatively close to the US border. Do you have patients coming from the US? Is this increasing or decreasing? Do you see this as 'medical tourism'?

In the past, I have had the opportunity to treat many American patients and have enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to their care. More recent restrictions on our professional insurance have curtailed the ability of plastic surgeons to see foreign patients. Those of my colleagues in border cities have sometimes chosen to make individual arrangements to allow treatment of Canadian non-residents, but most plastic surgeons have...

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