J. Howell Tiller, M.D., P.A., has been a well-known name for cosmetic surgery in South Florida for many years.  In this interview Dr. Tiller gives us some insight into his practice philosophy and into developing trends in the exciting field of cosmetic surgery.

Q:  Dr. Tiller, with your twenty five years of experience in cosmetic surgery what seems to have been the most remarkable change in the field of cosmetic plastic surgery?

A:  Well, that is certainly a question that requires a broad answer because the whole specialty of cosmetic surgery has changed so dramatically in twenty five years.  One remarkable change is that now more than ever before men are seeking cosmetic surgery to enhance their appearance. Like female patients, male patients desire a natural result whether it be from lipocontouring or facelifts or whatever. Therefore, we as cosmetic surgeons have had to develop different approaches to assessing what is natural-looking for a man because that can be very different from what is natural-looking for a woman.  Besides changes in assessing appearance before and after surgery, techniques available for patients have broadened considerably.

Q:  What exciting new techniques are available today for your male patients?

A:  Surgical techniques are always evolving. Just because something is new does not necessarily make it better.  Many people think a procedure such as gluteal (buttock) augmentation is new but I have been performing this procedure with excellent results for over 23 years.  I have worked hard to inform and train other plastic surgeons in this technique and it has become a very popular aspect of my practice.  Buttock augmentation to shape, firm, and enlarge the buttock area is particularly popular among my male patients but is also appealing to women.  Speaking of implants – I probably perform as many or even more pectoral (chest) augmentations than breast augmentations.  I have also developed a technique for bicep, tricep, abdominal, calf, and deltoid augmentations that give very natural results.

Q:  So you see a lot of men in your cosmetic surgery practice, Dr. Tiller?

A:  As many years as I have been in practice I have seen the percentage of my practice shift demonstrably toward more and more men seeking and undergoing cosmetic surgery.  This is a fact of other busy cosmetic surgery practices across the country.  Both men and women find appealing many of the same procedures such as lipocontouring and facelifts.  Because of my having established a reputation for such procedures as muscle augmentation and aggressive liposuction I have a higher percentage of men in my practice than other practices.

Q: You perform surgical procedures at Metropolitan Hospital Of Miami?

A:  Yes, indeed. Metropolitan Hospital offers economy, privacy, convenience and most importantly, safety for those having cosmetic surgery. The hospital exceeds state certification requirements and has been given an A rating along with 18 other Florida hospitals.

Q:  What do you offer to those men and women who aren’t quite ready for facial surgery or who may have even already had surgery but want to maintain their youthful- appearing  skin?

A:  I offer in my cosmetic surgery practice a number of incredible injectable products and peels that along with a combination of patient education, and skin care products for home use can help maintain or prolong surgical procedures.  The attention given to skin care can help facelift patients maintain the results of their surgery and for others help prolong the youthful appearance they have without surgery.

Q:  Dr. Tiller, you must have a particular procedure that you enjoy doing more than any others.  Which procedure do you think it would be?

A:     As many years that I have been in practice I can honestly say that I love doing all of the cosmetic surgery procedures that I do for patients.  The most enjoyable aspect of any procedure is seeing a happy patient with a wonderful and natural result.  But – if I were forced to choose I would have to say that I really love to do facelifts.  Facelifts are technically demanding and require a lot of my attention after surgery but what a positive change in self-image a facelift can bring to a person.  I have to admit I also love my “six-pack” procedure.  That is, pectoral, bicep, and tricep augmentations performed together,  maybe with abdominal lipocontouring. It does thrill me to take even a nice-looking guy and with a little surgical help make him really great-looking.

Q:  So you’re saying everyone should have cosmetic surgery?

A:  I am absolutely NOT saying that!!  Cosmetic surgery is totally elective and as such should be approached by a prospective patient after considerable thought and after evaluation and education by a board-certified plastic surgeon.  We are blessed to have a truly outstanding medical community here in Miami but there are physicians in our area and even some non-physicians who seek to capitalize on the public interest in cosmetic surgery and are putting themselves out in public as cosmetic surgeons.  Such a situation is very worrisome to those of us who have spent our professional lives on a dedication to training, experience and, most of all, patient safety in cosmetic surgery.

Q:  Any final words to those of us who might be considering cosmetic surgery?

A:  If a person out there is considering cosmetic surgery, then talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon.  Make an appointment and go on in and get your questions answered.  But talk to the surgeon, not just the “patient consultant.”  You deserve an evaluation by the surgeon who would be doing any surgery you may decide upon and not by a salesman or woman.  My office prides itself not only on my surgical experience and care but also on our personal attention to an individual making an important and very personal decision.

Dr. Tiller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  His practice is limited to cosmetic surgery and is located at 1935 West Ave. Suite 205 in Miami Beach.  

305-534-5616.  Drtiller@mac.com www.doctorHtiller.com