Get to Know Dr. John L. LeRoy

When you’re trying to choose a plastic surgeon, it’s important to start with their qualifications and their experience. Be sure to look for a board-certified plastic surgeon, as a “cosmetic surgeon” does not need to be tested and qualified by a nationally-recognized board of leading surgeons (and if they’re double board-certified like Dr. LeRoy, that’s even better). But once you’ve narrowed your search to a few highly qualified surgeons, you should also be sure to take personality and other factors into consideration. The more you and your surgeon share a similar aesthetic vision and the more comfortable you are communicating with them, the more likely you are to work as a team to achieve a successful and beautiful result. To help you get to know Dr. LeRoy a little better before your consultation, we sat down with him for a fun Q & A session.

What is your favorite procedure to perform and why?

While I specialize in all aspects of the face and body, particularly in facial rejuvenation, my #1 favorite surgery to perform is the Band Aid Mini Facelift for a number of reasons. First, because it’s a procedure that I actually developed, it’s particularly rewarding to see how happy it makes my patients. And second, the procedure is actually performed using gentle numbing, so the patients are awake, and I love the opportunity to interact with them throughout the surgery. It makes it a much more personal experience.

When did you realize you wanted to be a plastic surgeon? What attracted you to it?

I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a doctor, but when I first entered medical school, all I knew was that I wanted to be a surgeon—I wasn’t sure which specialty I wanted to focus on. During medical school, we did a number of “rotations”: spending time in different specialty areas to experience them and have a well-rounded education. One of my last rotations was plastic surgery, and I just fell in love with the energy of it. Because patients were there by choice and were looking forward to their results, they had a very positive air about them, and I knew I wanted to spend my career in this type of atmosphere.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I do a lot of reading when I have free time, but I also love spending time outdoors, like boating when the weather is warm. One of my big projects, though, is working on the land my family owns in South Carolina. My siblings all live in different cities, and we each enjoy spending some time there throughout the year operating the pine farm and just enjoying the land and the nature with different projects and activities.

Early in your career, you had a very prestigious fellowship at the Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH) in New York City. What would you say is the most valuable lesson or experience you took away from that fellowship?

The surgeons I worked under at MEETH were well-known leaders in the field, and before I started, I had some apprehension—like many people do before they meet someone they idolize. But the surgeons definitely did not disappoint. They were outstanding in both their facial rejuvenation technical skills and in making me feel welcome and helping me to learn in a great environment, so it was a powerful experience in my training. Overall, I’d say there are two lessons I took away as a surgeon:

1. Even though I was already very proficient before my fellowship, you can always learn more and you can always stay humble.
2. If you’re a new doctor, accumulate as much training, experience, and education as you can before you start practicing. When you have great credentials already, you can go into your practice with confidence and without feeling like you need to prove yourself because you have already shown your expertise.

If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

To be honest, I don’t think I would tell him anything other than perhaps to relax a little more. One of my professors taught me about The Law of Unintended Consequences, and because I’m really happy with the way my life is now, I wouldn’t want to change any part of the journey that led here. I’ve often heard the saying, “Success is a poor teacher,” because you can learn more from your mistakes, but I don’t think that necessarily has to be the case—you just need to continue to make a conscious effort to grow, regardless of how much success you’ve already achieved.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this opportunity to connect with Dr. LeRoy and get to know him a little better. But remember, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of an in-person consultation, which is your time to not only meet your surgeon and get to know them but also to explain and thoroughly discuss your goals for the surgery, see more before and after photos, and discuss the unique recommendations Dr. LeRoy would offer for you. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call to schedule your consultation today. Or, for more fun facts, plastic surgery tips, and special offers, follow Dr. John L. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.