Episode Title: From Flaps to Facelifts – Dr. David Hidalgo: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Former Chief at Memorial Sloan Kettering (#27)
Guest: Dr. David Hidalgo, MD, FACS | Former Chief of Plastic Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering | Aesthetic Innovator, New York City
Podcast: The DIEP End
Episode Summary:
In this enlightening episode of The DIEP End, hosts Dr. Saїd Azoury and Dr. Hank Davis welcome Dr. David Hidalgo, an internationally acclaimed plastic surgeon celebrated for groundbreaking reconstructive techniques and aesthetic innovations. Dr. Hidalgo shares his unique journey, detailing his pioneering contributions to reconstructive microsurgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering and his subsequent transition to aesthetic surgery in his New York City private practice.
Listeners will discover how Dr. Hidalgo’s blend of surgical precision, academic rigor, and artistic sensibility have defined his career. He discusses his groundbreaking work with the fibula free flap for mandibular reconstruction and provides insights into maintaining excellence in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgical realms.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
● How Dr. Hidalgo transitioned from pioneering reconstructive surgery to leading high-end aesthetic surgery
● Behind-the-scenes insights into developing the fibula free flap technique for jaw reconstruction
● The critical role artistic sensibility plays in achieving exceptional surgical outcomes
● Strategies for navigating career transitions from academia to private practice
● Key lessons in balancing technical mastery with aesthetic harmony and proportion
● Why persistence and disciplined innovation are essential for sustained surgical excellence
Quotable Moments:
"Persistence and perfectionism are key—you keep going until it's exactly right."
"Plastic surgery is fundamentally visual; artistic skills significantly enhance your surgical outcomes."
"There's no shortcut to surgical excellence—it’s about being meticulous every time."
SEO Keywords: David Hidalgo podcast, plastic surgery, fibula free flap, microsurgery pioneer, Memorial Sloan Kettering plastic surgery, aesthetic surgery New York, Manhattan plastic surgeon, surgical innovation, artistic plastic surgery, DIEP End podcast, reconstructive to aesthetic surgery transition.
Follow Dr. David Hidalgo:
Instagram: @drdavidhidalgo
Learn more: Dr. Hidalgo’s Practice
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Instagram & YouTube: @thediependpodcast
Spotify & Apple Podcasts: The DIEP End
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