About Jay Birnbaum
The practice of plastic surgery is the most rewarding career I can imagine. The ability to help such a variety of patients in such a variety of ways has incalculable rewards. Plastic surgery training lasts a minimum of five years after graduation from medical school and in many cases lasts as long as eight or even nine years; the longest training period of any surgical subspecialty. This extensive training period allows us to master many different surgical procedures for the entire body and throughout the age spectrum. Everyone knows plastic surgeons perform cosmetic surgery like face lift, nasal surgery, liposuction, breast lift, breast augmentation, and breast reduction. Less commonly known, however, are the other types of surgery performed by plastic surgeons such as hand surgery, microsurgery, replantation of limbs and digits, craniofacial surgery to correct congenital deformities of the skull and facial skeleton on newborns and breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Any surgery is a serious undertaking and never without some risk. It is the task of the surgeon to do everything possible to minimize that risk. While excellent surgical skill and techniques are absolutely necessary, it is the ability to use good professional judgment in determining the procedure that will be most appropriate for each individual patient that determines a successful result. This judgment comes from years of surgical experience, rigorous training in a reputable program, and experience caring for patients in a professional and ethical manner.
