A word
from Dr. Ascough about Experience, Artistry & Care:
Except for identical
twins, no two people are alike. Even in an individual, symmetry is not perfect. For
example, the left side of the face is different from the right and the right breast is not
symmetrical with the left.
It naturally follows that every cosmetic surgical procedure should be individually
tailored for each patient. No two noses or face-lifts should be done exactly the same.
This is where experience and attention to detail become paramount in obtaining a pleasing
result in aesthetic surgery. The surgeon must be able to look at each patient and analyze
all of the features that require attention for each operation. The width of the eyes and
facial bones should be considered when planning a nose that looks like it belongs on its
owner's face. The width of the shoulders and ribs, size of the hips, height, weight, and
natural breast size should be taken into account when judging size of breast implants.
Since no two operations are exactly alike, plastic surgeons often need to create a unique
approach as they are operating in order to achieve the best results for their patients.
Equally important is knowing when not to operate. Good judgement must dictate when to
leave well enough alone. A time-honored rule in plastic surgery is that "The enemy of
good is better." There are many times when performing additional surgery produces
less than satisfactory results.
Excellence in cosmetic surgery requires time. Precision is essential when placing sutures
so that skin edges line up perfectly, and careful planning is required to analyze and
design a proper operation suited to each individual. It is important to listen to the
patient and find out what she or he wishes to achieve.
I feel strongly about these points, because I have had to correct many procedures
performed by other surgeons who simply did not take the time to concern themselves with
proceeding in the patient's best interest. As a surgeon, my first and foremost obligation
is "patient care."
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| Bruce M. Ascough, M.D. |
CREDENTIALS & FACILITY
Dr. Ascough is a bona fide plastic and reconstructive surgeon. As with
most "true" plastic surgeons, after medical school he completed a year of
internship, four years of general surgery, and two years of plastic and reconstructive
surgery. During general surgery residency, Dr. Ascough learned to operate
on all parts of the body, as well as how to deal with and prevent a variety of
complications. During his final years of plastic surgery training, he benefited by
learning from professors who have been performing surgery for many years, as well as being
able to actually see the long-term results of his mentors' patients. It is during these
final years that the plastic surgeon learns when not to operate. This is as important as
knowing what operations one can perform for each condition.
Dr. Ascough studied in Houston with Dr. Thomas Cronin, the inventor of
the breast implant and in Paris with Dr. Paul Tessier for craniofacial surgery and has
also trained at Stanford University and the Mayo Clinic. After completing his training, he
was in practice in Texas, where he cared for 5,000 patients over a six-year period.
Two-thirds of these patients were victims of serious trauma, requiring difficult
reconstructive operations. He has been performing breast implant procedures and other
plastic and reconstructive surgery for more than 30 years, and has been in private
practice for over 20 years.
In addition to having taught at USC
plastic surgery conferences, Dr. Ascough is a Qualified Medical Examiner for the State of
California. He was awarded the Billings Bronze Medal by the American Medical Association
for reconstruction of the breast following mastectomy.
Dr. Ascough volunteers as an Assistant
Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of California at
San Diego. For the past fifteen years, as a charitable contribution, Dr. Ascough
has traveled to Mexico to participate in the UCSD "Interface", a program that
provides free surgery to underprivileged children. On each trip, Dr. Ascough and his
associates typically operate on 30 to 80 children with birth defects and various injuries.
MORE
Dr. Ascough has a
fully-accredited outpatient surgi-center, complete with up-to-date monitoring and
emergency equipment. He and his operating room staff are certified and current in advanced
cardiac life support (ACLS), and he is also certified in advanced trauma life support
(ATLS). Dr. Ascough's surgi-center has never experienced an operating room complication or
infection.
Dr. Ascough believes in openly communicating with patients to discuss
preferences such as desired size and shape. In addition to his artistic skill and years of
experience, perhaps the most remarkable asset of Dr. Ascough is his
sensitivity to a patient's needs. As a result, his patients describe him as a surgeon who
truly cares. |
