Body... Mind... Spirit. The connections are integral to our health and happiness. When our bodies please us, we shine. When we can enhance and improve our appearance, our physical health and our well-being, we thrive. Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers a unique approach to complete dermatologic, cosmetic and plastic surgical care. In fact, the team of 14 physicians at Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology’s three locations is the only practice in the region where both specialties are combined under one roof. There are many advantages for patients in having this experienced group working together.

“There aren’t many places that do what we do,” says Dr. Gregory Swank. “Both specialties, focusing on skin and aging, complement each other—we offer an excellent blend of medical and cosmetic surgical expertise right here. Our patients don’t need to travel to get the diagnosis or treatment they need.” And the options, both for surgical procedures and dermatologic treatments, are extensive.

PLASTIC SURGERY
The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos”, meaning to mold or to shape. The plastic surgeons at Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology are all board certified and experienced in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures that can help improve your appearance or reconstruct areas that have been damaged by injury or disease.

Some of the cosmetic surgical procedures offered include breast surgery, nose and ear reshaping, facelifts, and body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck and liposuction. Body contouring procedures are important for patients who have lost significant weight from gastric bypass surgery, and the plastic surgeons at PPSD work closely with the bariatric surgeons and their patients after weight reduction.

Patient safety is a primary concern at PPSD. Each office has two certified operating rooms, and maintains the highest standards of care. The procedures performed at PPSD are done by board certified plastic surgeons who have been well trained to do what they do. The consumer needs to be aware of the fact that many non-plastic surgeons, who have little to no training, are doing cosmetic procedures. Dr. Swank states, “You probably don’t want to go to the mall for plastic surgery—you need to go to a qualified physician who has the proper training and expertise. Additionally, you should be sure that your physician has hospital privileges and the experience to handle any complications, should they arise.”

If you are considering a plastic surgical procedure, the surgeons at PPSD can guide you and determine which procedure is best suited to meet your goals.

Dr. Miguel Yáñez explains, “We see men, women and children. We treat injuries, dog bites, and defects after skin cancer removal—there are many conditions that require plastic surgery.” Dr. Yáñez, who was voted “one of the best plastic surgeons in Puerto Rico” by over 2000 of his peers many times during his 15 years in practice there, has over 18 years’ experience in breast surgery, liposuction, tummy tucks, facial surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery after cancer removal, and cleft lip, palate and pediatric plastic surgery. “It’s critical that a surgeon is exceptionally skilled at reconstructive surgery in order to do excellent cosmetic surgery,” Dr. Yáñez continued. “Our entire team is board certified and extremely qualified in all the work they do. People need to know they don’t have to go out of town for this type of surgery; there are highly skilled physicians right here in Hickory.”

COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
Cosmetic Dermatology is a subset of dermatology that focuses on enhancing the patient’s appearance without using traditional surgery or general anesthesia. Many individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are not ready for plastic surgery, but they are seeking treatments for the more subtle signs of aging. Today’s sophisticated patients understand that it is never too early to begin practicing healthy skin habits and using appropriate skin care products. Add in the proper procedures, and the patient’s skin can be dramatically improved. “Cosmetic dermatology is a rapidly changing field,” Dr. Dori Hunt told me. “We use only those procedures that we know work, are safe and effective time after time—not the ‘latest and greatest’ fad or product promoted by the tabloids. We never compromise patient care.” Dr. Hunt, like all the dermatologists in the practice, is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska. In 1997 she graduated first in her medical school class at University of Nebraska Medical Center and then completed her residency in Dermatology at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Some of the most popular procedures performed by PPSD’s cosmetic dermatologists include Botox Cosmetic for frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles; chemical peels for sun damaged, sallow, rough, blotchy skin; dermal fillers/injectables like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Sculptra to eliminate facial wrinkles, to augment lips, and to improve the face’s contour. The most common laser procedures include hair removal, sunspot/age spot lightening, and spider vein elimination.

GENERAL DERMATOLOGY
Dermatologists at Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology are dedicated to diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair and nails in patients of all ages. The dermatologists are highly trained in skin cancer detection and often perform cancer screenings and educate patients on sun safety, the dangers of indoor tanning, and early detection. The PPSD physicians provide quality, caring, and comprehensive dermatologic care. A variety of state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments are offered. One of the newer procedures is photodynamic therapy for the treatment of actinic keratoses which are precancerous skin lesions. Other common conditions that dermatologists at PPSD have specialized training in include the diagnosis and treatment of acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, molluscum, cysts and mole removal.

Primary care physicians often refer patients to Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology for skin cancer screening, a critical procedure that everyone should have. Skin cancers are more successfully removed and treated when diagnosed early. “What’s fantastic about our team and the way we work is that we are all here under one roof and are available to each other for second opinions, consultations, and surgical support, when needed,” Dr. Bethany Bergamo explained. “Our doctors are trained to recognize lesions that need to be biopsied and these biopsies are interpreted by highly qualified dermatopathologists." Visit the website (www.ppsd.com) for a very thorough introduction to skin cancer and the things you need to know when you have questions or are making an appointment with a dermatologist.

MOHS MICROGRAPHIC SURGERY
I met with Dr. Charles Johnson, the Mohs surgeon at Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology. Mohs micrographic surgery, implemented by Dr. Frederic Mohs in the 1970s, is a tissue sparing procedure which removes certain types of skin cancers layer by layer, with each layer then being microscopically evaluated for any remaining cancer cells. This technique allows Dr. Johnson to remove the entire cancer while sparing all good skin tissue and allowing for the smallest possible skin defect, therefore minimizing any scarring. The cure rate for Mohs surgery is 98% to 100% for common primary skin cancers. Dr. Johnson came from the University of Florida Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery where he taught Dermatology and Mohs surgery to residents in training. He is also specifically trained to do the cosmetic reconstruction after the cancer has been cleared. “Mohs is done with local anesthesia, in about one to four hours in an office setting,” Dr. Johnson told me. “We can usually do the removal and cosmetic reconstruction in the same day. We’re the only practice in Hickory to offer Mohs surgery, and I would highly recommend that anyone with a biopsy proven skin cancer call for a consultation to learn more about this very effective treatment.”

STATE OF THE ART
Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology has offices in three locations: Hickory, Gastonia and Charlotte, with about 120 employees. In 2001, Dr. Daniel Ness opened the practice in Gastonia; it expanded to Hickory in 2003 and Charlotte in 2007. The new state-of-the-art, 13,000 sq. ft. facility in Hickory opened in December 2010. The physicians at all locations have been awarded recognition in various forums. Earlier this year, Drs. Gregory Swank, Gregory Mantooth and Patrick McElgunn were named to the Best Doctors in America list. Best Doctors, Inc. conducts the largest survey of the medical profession and publishes an unbiased list of the top five percent of doctors in the United States. Also in May, Dr. William Fangman, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon practicing at the Gastonia office, was selected as “The Best of Gaston” by the Gaston Gazette’s voters. The Hickory medical staff has privileges at Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center.

Body…mind…spirit—all can be enhanced by taking special care of your body in many ways. Begin by calling Piedmont Plastic Surgery and Dermatology to discover new ways to keep yourself and your family healthy and beautiful.

PIEDMONT PLASTIC SURGERY & DERMATOLOGY
315 19th Street, SE
Hickory, NC 28602
828-325-9849
www.ppsd.com