Stephen Evangelisti, M.D. Excellence in Plastic Surgery: A Unique Approach

Transcription

1 Western NY/Rochester Edition Stephen Evangelisti, M.D. Excellence in Plastic Surgery: A Unique Approach

2 cover story Stephen Evangelisti, M.D. Excellence in Plastic Surgery: A Unique Approach By Julie Nusbaum Dr. Stephen Evangelisti loves cars. Even his medical explanations are peppered with automobile analogies, and this self-proclaimed gear head who restores old cars recently spent 10 months restoring a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Smokey and the Bandit tribute project with his 16-year-old son, James. In a way, his fascination with cars offers a metaphor for his chosen career as a plastic surgeon. I like to solve complex problems and tend to enjoy fine, intricate work, says Dr. Evangelisti. I like to operate and fix things permanently. Working out of his Brighton, NY, office with surgical privileges at many area hospitals and surgical centers, Dr. Evangelisti performs a broad range of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, including post breast and skin cancer reconstruction; hand surgery, such as fracture reduction, release of carpal tunnel and triggers, and nerve and tendon repairs; breast reduction; abdominoplasty; augmentation mammoplasty; liposuction; breast lifts or mastopexy; bariatric recovery procedures, such as removal of skin from thighs, arms and buttocks; and blepharoplasty, face lifts, fat injections and other rejuvenative surgery. Dr. Evangelisti estimates that 70% of his surgeries are cosmetic, with the remaining 30% equally divided between hand and general reconstructive surgeries. While he tends to shy away from the limelight, Dr. Evangelisti has a stellar reputation in his field as a surgeon and is renowned for his technical skills and artistry as well as his approach to surgery. I believe the greatest gift a person can receive from a surgeon is to learn to be fine without surgery. My job is to educate patients about their options and discourage rash decisions. And if I can convince someone not to have surgery for the wrong reasons, I have done my job well, asserts Dr. Evangelisti, also an assistant professor at Strong Hospital. He spends a great deal of his time in his office counseling each patient on options as well as on what to expect during and after surgery, and sometimes these consults can last as long as 2½ hours. Dr. Evangelisti estimates that he has discouraged ¼ of Dr. Evangelisti with the OR team at the Linden Oaks Surgical Center Photo by Geoff Tesch

3 potential clients from undergoing cosmetic surgery. This perspective is quite unusual in the field. When choosing a surgeon, it is important to find a doctor you are comfortable with, not one who might be pushing a certain result. I may go too far in the other direction, but I feel that caution is appropriate when making life-altering decisions, says Dr. Evangelisti. Dr. Evangelisti s quest to become a surgeon began when he was 11 years old. A childhood friend had Volkmann s ischemic contracture, which had pinched an artery and the resulting scar prevented him from opening his fingers. Following surgery to correct the problem, his friend regained movement in his fingers and was better able to play like other children without getting hurt. From that moment on, Dr. Evangelisti was dedicated to becoming a hand surgeon. Originally from Westchester, NY, Dr. Evangelisti came to the University of Rochester as an undergraduate to meet Dr. Robert McCormack, one of the pioneers in the field of hand surgery. Even though, at the time, most surgeons were not inclined to have a college student observe their procedures, Dr. McCormack welcomed Dr. Evangelisti s interest. Dr. McCormack was the most kind, honorable man I had ever met. A mentor like that determines the type of training you decide to do, and in my case, inspired me to be a plastic surgeon, says Dr. Evangelisti. After majoring in neuroscience, he went on to attend University of Rochester Medical Center s School of Medicine and Dentistry, and completed his residency in plastic and general surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital. Following a hand fellowship at the Genesee Hospital and a head and neck fellowship at Roswell Park, he served as a plastic surgeon in the U.S. Air Force for four years. His time in the military, and the lessons he learned while stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, contributed significantly to his current philosophy about plastic surgery. I learned how to perform surgery to avoid complications at all costs. I was taught to do as much postoperative care in the operating room as possible. The military breeds a conservatism, which has Preoperative Allen s test is repeated before sympathectomy. Photo by Geoff Tesch

4 Photo by Geoff Tesch All in-office procedures are performed by Dr. Evangelisti and assisted by the caring staff that attends to minimizing any emotional and physical discomfort involved. stayed with me throughout my career, says Dr. Evangelisti. Although his approach is measured, Dr. Evangelisti does have a reputation for taking on challenging cases, offering numerous second opinions and, sometimes, managing other doctors patients with complications from prior surgeries. I seem to be in a position to take care of unsatisfied cosmetic surgery patients. Primary doctors frequently refer such difficult cases to me, shares Dr. Evangelisti. He does not shy away from such cases, but rather welcomes the opportunity to tackle nuances and complexities in order to satisfy patient wishes. While his general demeanor is quiet and understated, Dr. Evangelisti is positively animated when sharing before and after photographs of his patients. He patiently explains the various procedures and how he approached each case. He takes pride in the fact that his work, while artful, is not extreme, and Dr. Evangelisti tries to counsel patients to be comfortable with the aging process and in their own skin. Following surgery, Dr. Evangelisti wants his patients to look normal and appropriate within the first two weeks. During the postoperative period, he makes every effort to be available to his patients as they navigate the sometimes painful and arduous road to recovery. Plastic surgery has benefited from recent technological advances in medicine, and none is more thrilling for Dr. Evangelisti than fat injections. Facial fat grafting is the most exciting aspect of my rejuvenative practice. In my opinion, while everything else I do makes people look better, facial fat injection makes people look prettier and younger, says Dr. Evangelisti. While originally developed to help fibrosis from radiation damage, fat injections are becoming increasingly more common in facial sculpting. Another area generating excitement in the practice is the return of the siliconegel breast implant. Silicone-gel implants are much safer, feel softer and have significantly less risk of leakage than previous generation implants. And the tissue expander method of breast reconstruction

5 Dr. Evangelisti and his nurse practitioner regularly review patient cases, prioritizing and scheduling where the age and the health of the patient is a factor. The waiting room in Dr. Evangelisti s Brighton office is a peaceful and comfortable space. Photos by Geoff Tesch

6 The Evangelisti family at their historical East Avenue home is far more successful with silicone gel than with saline implants. As technology continues to bring potentially beneficial procedures and products to his patients, Dr. Evangelisti is cautiously During the initial consultation, sometimes two sets of ears help the patient establish realistic goals and manage expectations. optimistic and believes it is important to wait at least a year before using something new. A resident of Rochester since 1977, Dr. Evangelisti speaks highly of the medical profession in his adopted hometown. When you train for 15 years in one place, you get to know the community. And the quality of medical care in this town is leaps and bounds above what is typical in other communities of this size. Dr. Evangelisti s plastic surgery practice epitomizes the high standard of care in Rochester and we are certainly fortunate to have a surgeon of his caliber here in town. Dr. Evangelisti and his wife, Michelle, live in Brighton and have four children and three grandchildren. n Photos by Geoff Tesch Stephen M. Evangelisti, M.D Lac DeVille Rochester, New York (585) reprinted from western ny/rochester m.d. news 2010 Sunshine Media, Inc. Usage Agreement Good Through: 03/26/11