Dr. Clima Ana
The new wave of plastic surgeons
When did you discover your passion for medicine?
My grandmother discovered my passion for medicine, since high school. At her insistence, I enrolled in a volunteer program at the Emergency Hospital during high school, which created new opportunities for me. I understood how the health system works, what life is like behind the scenes of the hospital and I looked at the hospital for the first time not through the eyes of a patient but through the eyes of a person who can provide help inside. The decision to go to medical school was an extremely simple one, obviously I would say. I knew that I liked it and that I could do it, I understood that I had enough perseverance and stubbornness to take on such a profession.
Who is the person who inspired your passion for plastic surgery the most?
Within the Emergency Hospital I was assigned to the Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery department. There I had my first contact with what was to become my specialty. That’s when I realized how complex and multilateral this branch of medicine is. The finesse of microsurgery is combined with the geometry of reconstructions, the art of cosmetic surgery and the complexity of tissue trauma. There was no specific person to inspire my love for her; I liked the Plastic Surgery through the diversity of the maneuvers it offers you.
Do you consider that in Romania, plastic surgery is properly represented worldwide? What interventions do you think that should be more intensely promoted in Romania?
In Romania there are very good and talented plastic surgeons that could easily compete with even the most famous specialists in the West. It should be noted, however, that a good specialist is trained only if he is exposed to sufficient case studies during the residency and if he is created a favorable environment for professional development after, or in this chapter we still have a lot of work to do. I think we should definitely promote reconstructive surgery among the general population. There are many people who live with post-oncological, post-traumatic, post-combustion sequelae, not really knowing that they can be remedied with the help of Plastic Surgery. Not to mention, a lot of people perceive this specialty as one of fitness, meant only to volumize lips and breasts. I believe that first of all, the correct information of the population about Plastic Surgery should be promoted, so that they, in turn, can capitalize on this resource.
There are enough specialization modules in plastic surgery in Romania? What is the main source of professional information for plastic surgeons?
Surgery, in general, is the combination of manual dexterity, dexterity and theoretical knowledge. In the Theory chapter, at present, we have access to a multitude of bibliographic resources that come to our aid. International congresses open the door behind the scenes of world medicine, the journals of Plastic Surgery Associations around the world can be accessed to get acquainted and put into practice the experience of other colleagues. In terms of dexterity and craftsmanship, the credit goes to the mentors who are in the operating room and guide the surgical gesture, those who carve finesse and confidence in the hands of his disciples. I think a surgeon’s backbone is made up primarily of the mentor he had.
Do you consider that the current legislation protects the doctor enough? Is malpractice properly regulated? What would you change in this direction?
Unfortunately, the lack of effective surgeon-patient communication and the sometimes unrealistic expectations of patients immediately postoperatively is the cause of subsequent litigation. The surgeon can protect himself by the correctness of the medical gesture he makes and its recording in the legal forms, accessible to the patient and the surgeon. But the most important remedy remains the preoperative communication, the outline of the result, the discussion of all possible complications and postoperative evolutions. The surgeon must build a relationship based on mutual trust with his patient through a lot of empathy and understanding of his needs.
What is the innovative intervention of the moment in plastic surgery from your point of view?
Plastic surgery is constantly evolving, adapting to the needs of modern society. The development of plastic surgery is supported by its collaterals such as Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Genetics. Their combination shows innovations in AntiAging products, in vivo nerve regeneration, the ability to grow cell cultures that later turn into skin for burn patients, pharmacological products that promote wound debridement and subsequently epithelialization. As for surgical techniques, I believe that the future lies in robotic-assisted super-microsurgery, which would allow much more complex reconstructions with a much higher success rate.
How is the patient’s profile who most often steps on your doorstep?
Plastic surgery patients are diverse, as is the specialty itself. Reconstructive surgery is applied to patients of any age who have suffered trauma, burns or cancer. These patients are usually discouraged by their own appearance, lack of body function, or social labeling. The role of the plastic artist is to restore their confidence by reconstructing both the form and the function. Both women and men of all ages, who want to improve or change certain features, use cosmetic surgery services. Some do it for their own confidence boost, others are exposed to camera lenses and this requires a perfect posture and appearance. In conclusion, plastic surgery addresses the whole socio-cultural spectrum of patients.
Do you think that the introduction of psychological testing of patients before cosmetic surgery should be mandatory?
Certainly, the patient who crosses the threshold of the plastic surgery clinic must have discernment and be fully aware of what he is going to do. The enormous influence of the media among the young generation, which imposes * standards * of beauty that do not always correspond to reality and is often not applicable to some patients, creates difficulties in the perception of the postoperative result. The discrepancy between the image created by the patient and the result obtained creates frustrations and dissatisfaction that affect both the patient and the surgeon. A stable psycho-emotional patient who knows what he wants and yet does not break away from the reality of surgical possibilities is the perfect patient model for us.
What country can be called the general center of world evolution of plastic and aesthetic medicine?
Countries with a higher budget allocated to health. Japan is performing in the field of super-microsurgery, South America is the epicenter of cosmetic surgery. The USA is performing in terms of innovations in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. What is certain is that these countries allocate extraordinarily large sums in the field of research, continuous training of surgeons and equipping hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment, thus exploiting the full potential of this specialty. Romania’s intellectual capacity in the field of Plastic Surgery is enormous, but it must be financially supported if performance is to be achieved. Sometimes it is not enough to have only desire and potential.
How do you comment on the rise of the plastic and cosmetic surgery market in Turkey and how do you think we can keep patients in the country?
The lack of communication and information of the population about the local specialists, along with the lack of trust in the Romanian medical system, determines the patients to look for solutions abroad. The practice of interventions in Turkey with the return of the patient immediately postoperatively to Romania is a very dangerous one. The patient and the surgeon must be in close contact and have continuous postoperative communication. Post-surgery check-ups are as important as the surgery itself, which is completely lacking in some cosmetic clinics in Turkey. Imagine for a second you were transposed into the karmic driven world of Earl. There are solutions and options for surgical treatment in Romania, we have extraordinary plastic surgeons, but this information is not always of public interest.
Thoughts for the readers of our magazine.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is not just about the breast, nose or lips. Plastic surgery is the art of shape, function and proportion. This specialty should not be seen only as a beauty surgery, it is applicable to the whole society. The barrier of misperception must be overcome by correctly informing the population about the specialty and local surgeons. Promoting the right health policies would greatly help thousands of patients who do not yet know that they have the right and the opportunity to lead a normal life without stigmas and sequelae.
