Petra Berger M.D.: Woman to woman cosmetic surgery

Published: 2008-04-04 - Updated: 2008-04-04

Author

Petra Berger,M.D.

Q: Dr Berger, as a board certified plastic surgeon, you have 13 years experience, would you say your patients think it`s important that you are a woman?

Dr. med. Petra Berger, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in Frankfurt

Dr. Berger: Yes, many female patients deliberately decide to be operated by a woman. In addition to a superior manual dexterity they expect- and often have experienced- a woman being more sensitive to their thoughts and feelings and treating them with more consideration and respect.

Q: For example?

Dr. Berger: If a patient desires a breast augmentation for example, a female plastic surgeon would spend much more time with the patient than a male plastic surgeon. She would not only extensively discuss different methods with the patients, but would also find out which is the best in that particular case. She takes a lot of time, trying different shapes and sizes of breast implants with the patient, so the patient can understand and find out, which one looks the best and the most natural for her. The rate of revisions and secondary corrective procedures can be considerably lowered, because the wishes of the patients are understood and respected from the start.

Q: You are one of the few Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons in Germany and Europe who are doing Lipoaugmentation of the breast with autologuos fat. Why is this method so attractive for the patients?

Dr. Berger: This procedure mostly appeals to patients who do not like any foreign or artificial material in their bodies. Or others who have already experienced a capsular contracture – one of the many possible complications in breast augmentation with silicon gel implants - or are afraid of it.

The operative technique of breast enlargement with autologous fat is to take fat at certain donor sites, prepare it using a special method and then to reinject it underneath the skin and the gland. This method is already successfully applied all over the world. Unfortunately in Germany, it is relatively unknown. We hope, this will change soon. We will open an Academy to teach European colleagues in this operative technique in order to keep them from trying in a “do it yourself” style producing complications that ruin the patient`s health and reputation of this beautiful technique.

Another field in which women might prefer a female plastic surgeon to a male plastic surgeon is genital surgery.

Q: What is it all about?

Dr. Berger: For instance we can reduce large labia or augment a mons venus that is too small. Some women suffer from incontinence after childbirth or several births or feel a lack of sensation due to the softening and widening of their vaginal tissue. In these cases we can now reconstruct the anatomy and tighten up the vaginal tract. The patients recover their sensation which can sometime even be improved. In certain cultural societies, virginity before marriage is very important. The reconstruction of their hymen can help women from these societies.

These topics are highly sensitive and the patients often do not want to discuss them with a male doctor o are afraid to show them their genital area or to undress in front of them. With a female doctor who can understand and share their feelings, these patients open up. If desired, we can offer an “all - female – team”, also including anaesthesia, psychology and gynecology.

Q: We have just mentioned „pregnancy“, during which women are undergoing dramatic and often permanent body changes.

Is that also a special “female” topic?

Dr. Berger: Of course! Childbirth and breastfeeding are wonderful- however afterwards unfortunately the body is not the same. Not only weak tissue but also striae or sagging breasts can cause problems with self esteem.

Q: Does it make sense to do breast surgery before the end of family planning?

Dr. Berger: That is depending on the individual situation. The body can change dramatically during and after pregnancy. Ideally, corrective procedures should be planned after the completion of familiy planning.

Q: This is not the case with operations in the face. Does doctor gender also play a role in the treatment of wrinkles, lower lids and noses?

Dr. Berger: Sometimes, yes.

In my opinion, female doctors approach the treatment of skin aging and wrinkles more holistically. This also applies to operations of the nose and chin. After a thorough analysis they will explain the situation and will suggest a variety of invasive and non-invasive therapies.

Q: You do not only have female but also a lot of male patients: Why do men prefer to consult a female plastic surgeon as opposed to a male plastic surgeon?

Dr. Berger: The reasons are often the same as for a female patient: male patients expect more empathie and more sensitivity from a female doctor. Some men have the experience that males consciously or subconsciously are not free from competitiveness. This attitude is preventing them from openly sharing their problems and their perceived defcets with another man.

Q: What do you think about operative procedures - is it always necessary?

Dr. Berger: That depends on the individual situation. Beauty and Wellbeing are closely related. If you are content about your looks that can also affect your self- esteem and that can influence all other areas of life. Just think about the so called “saddle bags” which can be treated by liposuction. Or think about the body lift, a procedure which can beccome necessary after massive weight loss. An operation can enormously improve the quality of life of these patients.

I have also noted that many women – and also many men – feel more comfortable and more relaxed with a female plastic surgeon.

There is no such thing as an operative procedure being the one and only solution to each and every problem. Sometimes it is necessary and responsible to tell a patient he or she should not have a cosmetic operation. Even then we do not leave our patients alone but recommend experienced colleagues from non-operative disciplines. This strong sense of responsibility and caring attitude are part of female nature and patients can only benefit from it.

Dr. Petra Berger M.D.

Board certified Plastic Surgeon, certified Quality Manager, Emercency Specialist and member of the German Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (DGPRÄC, formerly VDPC), the IPRAS, the International Society of Aethetic Plastic Surgery ISAPS, and the European Workshop for advanced Plastic Surgery (EWAPS).

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plastic surgeon, Dr Berger