For many medical professionals and their patients, plastic surgery transcends mere aesthetic enhancements. The profound effects of plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments are evident daily on Ruli, where numerous patients recount their personal journeys of procedures that not only boost confidence but also restore physical abilities and affirm personal identity. Our Beyond Beauty initiative showcases how beauty is just the beginning, leading to far more profound transformations.
Plastic surgery, whether cosmetic or reconstructive, has the potential to significantly alter lives, affecting not only the patient and their family but often the surgeon as well. Doctors understand the vulnerability involved in this process and the weighty responsibility of shaping or restoring someone's physical identity, a duty they do not take lightly. Throughout their careers, they connect with thousands of patients, each with unique cosmetic desires or medical needs, and some stories remain etched in their memories long after the patient has healed. We asked six plastic surgeons to share the most impactful surgeries they have performed.
Dr. Lara Devgan , board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City, Ruli chief medical editor
“One of the most memorable cases I encountered was during my early years of clinical practice. A patient arrived with severe facial fractures after being assaulted in a bar. He was a young, attractive, and professional individual who suddenly found himself disoriented and physically devastated. The entire floor of his orbit was shattered into tiny pieces, along with his cheekbone and nasal bones; essentially, his entire facial structure was crushed. His face was severely deformed and distorted, and his vision was at risk. This was one of my first major solo cases, and I reconstructed his facial framework using tiny plates and screws, akin to piecing together a complex puzzle.
What is deeply fulfilling about reconstructive surgery, especially of the face, is its profound impact on one's facial identity. This identity is arguably more crucial than mere attractiveness, as it defines one's sense of self. Replacing each small bone fragment felt almost like repairing a fragile eggshell; every millimeter mattered. I remember he was around my age—a young man, and I was a young surgeon. His heartfelt gratitude made me realize the peer-like trust he placed in me to guide him through this ordeal. This experience was profoundly formative for me as a surgeon, highlighting the self-sacrifice inherent in our profession, where one must prioritize another's well-being over their own. It was a deeply personal learning experience to be the one to help him navigate that critical juncture.”
Dr. Jason Roostaeian , board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles
“I discussed one particularly significant case on The Doctors. The patient was an avid cyclist who was struck by a drunk driver and trapped under the car, resulting in half of his face being burned off by the muffler's heat. The injury was both horrifying and unusual. I reconstructed his face using tissue from his thigh. While thigh tissue doesn't resemble facial skin, it was necessary for initial damage control. Exposed bone is susceptible to infection, especially when close to the brain, making the situation life-threatening. The first step was covering the exposed areas with healthy, vascularized tissue to prevent infection and promote healing. The second step, making it look aesthetically pleasing, was equally gratifying as it restored his sense of identity.
What I value most about plastic surgery is its blend of reconstructive problem-solving and artistic transformation. Years later, I ran into the patient and his wife at a friend's birthday party at a winery in Solvang, California. We took a photo together, a moment that remains one of my most cherished memories. The chance encounter reinforced the lasting impact of that surgery.”
Dr. Lesley A. Rabach , board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City
“Among many memorable patients, one stands out. She was a delightful woman in her 60s who, in her words, had ‘neglected’ herself to support her husband and three successful sons. Since her 20s, she had given no attention to self-care, resulting in sagging eyelids, a bulging lower eyelid, and a nearly invisible jawline due to jowls and excess skin. Naturally, she was terrified of surgery. We discussed upper and lower blepharoplasty and a deep plane face-/neck lift. She opted for the eyelid procedure as a test. The surgery, performed in my office with minimal sedation and local anesthesia, restored her beautiful blue eyes in less than two hours. She was amazed at how wonderful she felt and walked across the street with her supportive husband, who had waited in the lobby, to have lunch at Claudette.
Gaining confidence from the eyelid surgery, she was ready for the face-/neck lift. Despite the procedure being more complex and requiring sedation in an accredited operating room, she felt remarkably well by evening. The next morning, when I removed her dressing, she was tearfully joyful, having not seen her jawline in nearly 35 years.”
Dr. Brian J. Reagan , board-certified plastic surgeon in La Jolla, California
“The most significant surgery I performed was on a young man in his early 20s from Armenia, a soldier in the Armenian civil war. He was beside a tank hit by artillery, which exploded, removing his nose. Armenian doctors performed a basic procedure, attaching skin from his forearm to his nose to close the wounds. This case encapsulated everything plastic surgery aims to achieve—planning, striving for optimal results, focusing on structure, function, and aesthetics. Reconstructing the nose requires a lining, structural support, and a covering. I used his previous surgery's remaining tissue to create the lining, harvested bone from his rib to construct the support, and used tissue from his forehead to cover his nose.
This man went on to lead a normal life, securing a job and getting married. We transformed someone confined to his home due to his appearance into a productive, happy individual. This rewarding experience was part of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a charity where surgeons volunteer their services to change lives.”
Dr. Manish H. Shah , board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver
“When I started as a plastic surgeon, I was the chief of plastic surgery at a level 1 trauma center. A woman was mountain biking with her teenage son when she had a high-speed crash. Her son, knowing to protect her airway until EMS arrived, was my hero. She was stabilized at a local hospital and airlifted to my trauma service with extensive facial injuries. Over the next three years, I gradually reconstructed her face as she underwent therapy for her traumatic brain injury. Her son, inspired by my work, later pursued a career in medicine. My early trauma experiences profoundly influence my facial cosmetic surgery practice today.”
Dr. Charles Galanis , board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California
“Choosing the most ‘significant’ surgery is challenging, as each holds immense importance for the patient and me. A recent patient story stands out. She was a widowed mother of one whose abdomen had not returned to its pre-pregnancy shape despite diet and exercise, significantly impacting her quality of life. With tears, she explained her need for surgery. The procedure went flawlessly, and at her three-month post-op visit, she tearfully shared that it was the first time since her husband's death that she felt ready to wake up next to someone. Witnessing this powerful transformation, I felt immense joy and gratitude for being part of her journey.”
