Every year, we ask a few of Seattle’s Top Doctors to share what inspires them to practice medicine, the advice they give most often, and what they think the future holds for healthcare. These interviews are part of Seattle magazine’s annual Top Doctors feature, created in partnership with Castle Connolly. None of the doctors paid to be included — all are nominated by their peers.

What inspired you to become a doctor?

In elementary school, I read an article about Doctors without Borders, and that really sealed the deal for me. I wanted to do something that would have an impact at the individual level. As someone always drawn to science and in particular human physiology and pathology, medicine was a natural fit. As for plastic surgery, I fell in love with it on my first clinical rotation when I watched a cleft lip repair. Plastic surgery is the most wonderful meld of science and artistry. There is never one answer to a patient’s concerns, and the power lies in making individualized plans after listening carefully to a person’s goals.

What’s one thing about being a doctor that most people misunderstand?

It’s a calling, not a job. There is no such thing as 9-to-5 in my world. I have worked many holidays, answered calls at all times and lost many nights of sleep worried about a patient.

What’s something in medicine you believe will be totally different in 10 years?

I have seen the stigma of having cosmetic plastic surgery decrease significantly over the first half of my career. I think this trend will continue and that in 10 years, people will be open and proud to be taking care of themselves and making sure that the way they look outside matches the vitality they feel inside.

Have you ever had a patient diagnose themselves correctly?

With everything available on the internet and particularly on social media today, I find that patients come in much more informed and ready to ask insightful questions. This background knowledge lets me dive deeper with patients and help them to interpret their foundational knowledge to develop an individual surgical plan for them.

What’s one myth about health or medicine that you wish would go away?

That plastic surgery has to look “fake.” In my opinion, the best work is the work you can’t spot. Careful incision placement and manipulation of the tissues allows for a beautiful, finished project that helps a person look like a more rested and happier version of themselves rather than a mannequin. Results can be dramatic without looking “done” if natural anatomy is appreciated and protected.

What’s the most unusual case you’ve ever encountered?

I was doing a medical mission in Peru and there was a young girl who had been in a bad farm accident two years before. The orthopedic surgeons had fixed her bones and saved her leg, but the skin was badly burned and caused her a lot of pain. This would be straightforward with modern equipment in the States, but there I needed to be creative. I did a mini tummy tuck and took all of her healthy skin to completely resurface her lower leg. Now she is pain free.

What’s one piece of advice you wish every patient followed?

Follow the recovery plan! It’s tempting to try to get back to your usual activities sooner than advised, but the recommendations are meant to keep you out of trouble and maximize your results. Recovery is a good time to binge a series on Netflix or catch up on your reading list.

If you could change one thing about the healthcare system, what would it be?

I wish health care had greater transparency. There are so many aspects that are proprietary and don’t allow even the entities within health care visibility to cost, reimbursement and health metrics. Greater transparency would allow for more innovation.