Thursday, 1 September 2011

Jonathan Heather, the Institute's Fellow talks about his time spent with us

"After completing my specialist training in Plastic Surgery I was driven to
improve my knowledge and experience in the subspecialty of Cosmetic Surgery. I
was lucky enough to be taken on by Stephen, Janek and Glenn as their 'Fellow'
(a qualified medical specialist who is undertaking further training) at the
Institute where I spent the first six months of 2011.

The experience was extremely valuable to me on a number of levels. I was able
to follow patients undergoing a wide variety of cosmetic and reconstructive
procedures from initial consultations, through assisting in their operations
and finally seeing their great results. In particular, being able to observe
the consultation styles and decision making process of three such experienced
surgeons was a great privilege. The exposure has greatly enhanced my
appreciation of the aesthetic subtleties of plastic surgery and the many
aspects of running a successful private practice.

I also used my time at the Institute to perform research on the outcomes of
breast augmentation procedures at the Institute, and in particular the use of
the new conical shaped implants, compiling a paper which I presented at the
combined New Zealand and Australian Plastic Surgeons' meeting held on the Gold
Coast in July. Furthermore, during this time I was able to share some of my
plastic surgery experience through teaching sessions with trainee surgeons in
public and nursing workshops at private hospitals.

I am extremely grateful to the patients, the surgeons and all the staff at the
Institute for the time, knowledge and experience that they so generously
shared with me. "