Plastic Surgery—Is it Right for You?

2021 was a difficult year but finally there may be some light ahead with the holidays approaching and parties and Mardi Gras balls back on the agenda. If you are looking for a refreshed look, it may be time to consider aesthetic surgery.

There are many reasons to consider plastic surgery, such as those procedures that minimize the effects of childbearing, aging and weight loss. Breast augmentation surgery and liposuction continue to be some of the most popular surgeries. If you’ve thought about it in the past, now might be the time to see if it’s right for you. The good news is that there are all types of surgical and non-surgical options available, and many can be done in-office.

Dr. Suma Maddox, MD FACS, is a board-eligible plastic surgeon with offices in both Lake Charles and New Orleans. “I focus on reconstructive microsurgery and aesthetics of the face, breast and body,” she says. 

Born in New Orleans and raised in Houma, Dr. Maddox earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at New York University in New York City and went on to get her medical degree at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She completed her general surgery internship and residency at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, RI in 2014. She’s been certified by the American Board of Surgery since then.

“I practiced general and breast surgery with Ochsner in New Orleans for four years before pursuing a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at LSU in New Orleans,” she continues. “There, I trained under the pioneer of breast reconstruction, Dr. Robert Allen, Sr., and advanced my techniques in reconstructive microsurgery.” 

Dr. Maddox says her philosophy is centered on being a strong advocate for patient-centered care. “I have made it my priority to unite the practice of reconstruction with the art of aesthetic surgery to elevate my patients’ outcomes.” She offers a full range of procedures, both in-office and surgical. 

The decision to pursue plastic surgery is a very personal one, Dr. Maddox says. “As a mother of three children, I understand the emotions that go along with the changes that occur after pregnancy. I want to create a safe space for women to discuss their aesthetic goals without judgment.  As a female plastic surgeon, I’m able to listen with empathy and deliver results with artistic elegance.”

She advises that when making the decision to pursue plastic surgery, make sure your surgeon is board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). “This ensures that your surgeon has completed the requisite six to eight years of plastic surgery training,” she explains. “A more cost-effective procedure by a non-plastics trained surgeon who is not certified may compromise results and may leave you disappointed with your outcome.”

Dr. Maddox says the benefits of plastic surgery to mental well-being are at the forefront of the self-care movement. “My goal here is not to alter who you are, but to elevate your natural details. Some women have functional limitations related to excess breast weight or skin, resulting in chronic neck pain and headaches. In others, the abdominal muscles stretch with pregnancy or weight loss and can alter core body strength resulting in back or hip pain. These are all areas which can be successfully addressed with plastic surgery. We need to put oxygen on ourselves first so that we can better nurture those around us and be more effective in our daily lives.”

Dr. Suma Maddox, Lake Christus Ochsner, 4150 Nelson Road, Building E, Suite 3, Lake Charles, LA 70605 (337) 656-7875. Follow her professional work on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drsumamaddox/