Whether he is in the operating room, in consultation with his patients or with the residents he teaches, Dr. Karl Schwarz works to undo the prejudices surrounding plastic surgery. Because when patients tell him that their lives are transformed after going under his knife, he recognizes the immense positive impact that surgery can have.
What is an XTRA?
For Dr. Karl Schwarz, the choice to pursue a specialty in plastic surgery was obvious. It must be said that, before him, his father had distinguished himself as a plastic surgeon. Very early on, Dr. Schwarz was able to see the art behind surgery: “Plastic surgery is the perfect combination of science, engineering and art,” he summarizes.
The Montreal surgeon learned his lessons with the greats, notably at Georgetown University Hospital, one of the best plastic surgery residencies in North America. A certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Dr. Schwarz contributes to training the next generation in this field which fascinates him.
By founding Clinique K, the renowned surgeon imagined an ultra-modern practice specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery, a place where honesty with the patient and the achievement of natural results are prioritized. It is the ultimate compass that guides Dr. Schwarz . “In my eyes, it is the plastic surgeon’s entire responsibility to ensure that the client understands what is possible and what is not, depending on their physiognomy and the limits of the human body,” explains- he. Our role is also to ensure that their expectations are realistic before going under the knife. » It is not uncommon, moreover, for Dr. Karl Schwarz to refuse to perform an intervention on a patient.
It must be remembered that these are cosmetic and elective procedures. The patient must be in good physical and mental health, and the reasons for choosing to have surgery must be well-founded.
Although he advocates self-acceptance, Dr. Schwarz is at the forefront of measuring the positive impact that surgery can have on the men and women who choose it. Sometimes considered frivolous, certain interventions can nevertheless change lives. “When a young girl has been self-conscious about her nose all her life, for example, rhinoplasty can help her gain confidence and relate to others,” illustrates the surgeon.
However, it is when he works in reconstructive surgery that his work takes on its full meaning. Whether we think of breast reconstruction for breast cancer survivors or facial reconstruction after trauma, these surgical procedures often help the patient progress through the recovery process. In Canada, Clinique K is one of the rare private practices to offer breast reconstruction privately.
Some women proudly wear their mastectomy scars as a badge of honor and I have great respect for them. For others, reconstructive surgery is part of the path to recovery. When they tell me that their lives are transformed after the operation, it gives meaning to what we do here.
The human factor
When we ask Dr. Schwarz what explains Clinique K’s reputation for excellence, the answer is not long in coming: the team. “It is the human factor that limits the risks for the patient. It’s the anesthesiologist, it’s the nursing staff in the operating room, those in the recovery room; it is all these humans who ensure the safety of the patients who trust us,” he concludes.
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