Meet Dr. Rai - A Well-known Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Vasdev Rai, endocopic plastic surgeon

We tracked down Dr. Vasdev Rai, M.D., F.A.C.S, who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Texas Medial Association. 

Dr. Rai received his plastic surgery training at the New York Hospital of the Cornell University Medical center and was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 1983.
 
SurgeryWatch: Dr. Rai, Thank you for taking the time to speak to SurgeryWatch.  You are currently Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Medical City Plastic Hospital in Dallas and have performed in excess of 10,000 plastic surgery operations. That is some track record!  How did you decide to become a plastic surgeon?

Dr. Rai: As a young doctor during my early surgical residency days, I discovered plastic surgery to be a fascinating field.  Plastic surgery is unique because it combines both art and science giving the surgeon endless options to solve any problem.  The ability to customize treatment choices to each patient’s unique needs further attracted me to plastic surgery.

SW: One of the surgery practices you have specialized in is endoscopic cosmetic surgery and endoscopic breast augmentation.  Can you tell us about the advantages and challenges of this procedure?

Dr. Rai: The main advantage of endoscopic cosmetic surgery is the ability to minimize the size of the incisions. This reduces tissue injury and results in a faster recovery time. When used to perform breast augmentation, endoscopic surgery allows the implants to be inserted through an inconspicuous incision in the belly button. The brows can also be elevated using endoscopic surgery through small incisions within hairline, without risking loss scalp sensation.

Lately, my choice of breast implant is silicone gel, since they have become available again. These types of implants are pre-filled so they can’t be placed endoscopically.  

Technically, endoscopic surgery is more difficult.  A cosmetic surgeon has to acquire this skill through additional training. 

SW: You’ve performed more than 10,000 surgeries over the past 20 years. Which is the most interesting and satisfying surgery that you’ve performed? And which is the most challenging surgery that you’ve performed?

Dr. Rai: Combination surgeries are my favorite. For example, performing a facial restoration that combines the procedure for a facelift with facial fillers and Botox, is very gratifying. This type of surgery offers the surgeon a lot of flexibility in the rejuvenation of an aging face.

Similarly, combining an abdominoplasty with liposuction and breast augmentation, gives a cosmetic surgeon the ability to restore body curves. To modify a patient’s profile, combining rhinoplasty and chin surgery can deliver very satisfying results.

I consider Bariatric Plastic Surgery (weight loss plastic surgery) to be most challenging.    

SW:  You like to operate on people who are perfect candidates for plastic surgery. Who, according to you, is a perfect candidate for cosmetic surgery and how do you decide on a procedure for a person?

Dr. Rai: In my opinion, having realistic expectations for any cosmetic procedure is the most important factor for surgical success. I spend a lot of time explaining the surgical procedure and the anticipated results to my patients. I talk to them about what can and cannot be accomplished with cosmetic surgery. I only perform a cosmetic procedure for a patient if I am certain of the realistic expectations and results for that patient.   

SW: As with any invasive surgery, there must be some risks associated with endoscopic cosmetic surgery. Please tell us about them.

Dr. Rai: Endoscopic cosmetic surgery has the same risks of other invasive surgeries. However, the risks associated with procedures done endoscopically are lessened due to limited tissue injury and the use of minimal incisions.  Occasionally, a cosmetic surgery procedure that begins endoscopically needs to be finished using an open, more invasive approach. This will happen especially if bleeding or excessive scarring is encountered during the actual surgery. 

SW: You’ve mentioned in your website that you work with finance companies to help people finance their cosmetic surgery. How affordable is cosmetic surgery for the common person?

Dr. Rai: It all depends on the credit history and credit score of each patient.  With a good credit history, 100% of the cost for a cosmetic surgery procedure can be financed at very competitive interest rates.  Finance companies like GE, Capital One, Bank of America, and APF are already competing to be the consumer’s choice when financing plastic surgery procedures.  These companies offer flexible plans with attractive credit terms.   

SW: In your 20+ years as a plastic surgeon, you must have helped many men and women improve their bodies and self-images. But have you had a patient who has not been satisfied with the result? What did you do in such a case?

Dr. Rai: In any case where a patient is not completely satisfied with their results from a cosmetic surgery procedure, I have offered touch-up surgery or revisions at my cost with no additional fees. However, this has been rare in my practice.  

SW: What steps do you take to ensure success in your surgeries?

Dr. Rai: Never take chances! I always start by making sure that a patient’s expectations are realistic, and then I vigorously plan for the most effective approach to accomplish the patient’s goals. I keep up with the latest techniques in plastic surgery, so I can stay on the cutting edge of my specialty. I make sure that I have the best surgical team, support staff and ancillary services. I am here to serve my patients and their safety is my priority.
I make sure that nothing is taken for granted and I always do my best.

SW: What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Dr. Rai: Seeing a happy smile on the face of my patient.

SW: You have a busy schedule, choc-a-bloc with consultations and surgeries. So, how do you like to unwind?

Dr. Rai: Exercise, meditate, reflect and read.

SW: Thank you Dr. Rai, for taking time out to speak to SurgeryWatch.

Dr. Rai: It has been my pleasure to be on SurgeryWatch.

You can learn more about Dr. Rai and his Dallas cosmetic surgery practice at http://www.drrai.net/, or by visiting his other websites - http://www.dallas-liposuction.com/ and http://tuba-texas.com/.