Dr. Steven Vath
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon is a difficult, confusing, and intensely personal endeavor. I'd like to introduce myself and tell you about my educational background, medical training, and the evolution of my dedication to a career in Plastic Surgery. I'd also like to share a bit about my personal life as well as elaborate upon my practice philosophy. I understand how important it is that you feel comfortable not only with a surgeon's credentials and technical ability, but also with the person as a whole.
I dedicate my professional life to the field of Plastic Surgery for several reasons. The interpersonal interactions and relationships developed with my patients are rewarding on a daily basis. I enjoy relating to a diversity of people and their desires, and then realistically matching up the best surgical plan with those patients' goals. My passion for both the artistic and meticulous aspects of Plastic Surgery technique allows me to thoroughly enjoy my craft. I sincerely love what I do: creating the finest possible aesthetic results by blending art with science.
I grew up in New Jersey and went to Tufts University just outside of Boston, Massachusetts to obtain my Bachelors of Science degree. I then returned to New Jersey to attend Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Rutgers Medical School). My desire to pursue a surgical career quickly became clear to me. After medical school, I embarked on a six year General Surgery residency at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC. During this residency, I dedicated a year to surgical research focusing on infectious causes of death in the intensive care unit. This work led to presentations at national meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
I initially decided upon a career path in Plastic Surgery during my first year of General Surgery residency. I was impressed and inspired by the effect that such detail oriented and artistic surgical procedures had on patients' lives. Heart-felt appreciation was consistently expressed by those who had their aesthetic hopes realized. During this influential experience under my early Plastic Surgery mentors, I came to appreciate the type of person capable and desirous of meeting such expectations. My passion for a profession in Plastic Surgery had begun.
After finishing my General Surgery residency at GW, I moved to New Orleans, Louisiana where I received my Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training at the Louisiana State University Medical Center and Charity Hospital. Following this, I sought further specialized training in cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, California. This cosmetic surgery fellowship is one of only a dozen in the country accredited by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. It is based in Marina del Rey, California and is associated with the University of Southern California. In Los Angeles, I trained in and practiced exclusively cosmetic surgery.
My wife and I decided to settle in Denver because of the fantastic quality of life, down-to-earth people, and gorgeous mountains. Both born in the mid-Atlantic east coast, we feel that Colorado offers an ideal blend of big-city sophistication and amenities, outdoor living, and minimal congestion. I enjoy, skiing, snowboarding, trail running, marathons, lifting weights, tennis, golf, playing guitar and singing. My wife and I anticipate that raising children in the ideally balanced and healthy Colorado environment will be the most gratifying experience of all.
I practice Plastic Surgery in Golden and Denver, Colorado and am exclusively devoted to cosmetic Plastic Surgery including aesthetic facial, breast, and body contouring procedures. My main office is in Golden in the Denver West Office Complex directly off of the I-70 interstate. Two conveniently located operating facilities, one within this office and the other named the Denver West Surgery Center in the neighboring building, provide safe surgical care. I have a second office In Cherry Creek, Denver and offer patients the option of having surgery in the Cherry Creek operating facilities.
I am a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, www.plasticsurgery.org). I am a double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. I am a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS, www.abplsurg.org ) and the American Board of Surgery (ABS, www.absurgery.org) which are both recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). You can learn about these Board certifications, which are exclusively recognized by hospital credentialing committees, at the ABMS website, www.abms.org. It is important for patients to understand that any physician can label him or herself as a "Cosmetic Surgeon"; however, the ABMS does not recognize Board Certification in "Cosmetic Surgery". Only surgeons trained in a Plastic Surgery residency and ABPS Certified are recognized by the ABMS. Cosmetic surgery is an integral discipline within the field of Plastic Surgery.
I have been published in peer-reviewed Plastic Surgery journals on various topics including breast reduction, combined cosmetic surgery, liposuction and abdominoplasty, breast reconstruction, and inverted nipple repair. I have also presented at several national and international Plastic Surgery meetings including the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons conference.
My practice philosophy is simple: to achieve the best possible surgical results while minimizing recovery time. I blend tried and true, classic surgical procedures proven safe and effective over decades with innovative, state-of-the art techniques. During the initial consultation, I first listen to you and understand your priorities and goals. I examine the areas you wish to concentrate upon and discuss the surgical options that will provide the desired aesthetic transformation. I will diagram the techniques discussed and present many photographs of my patients before and after they had undergone those procedures. All of your questions will be answered and I will certainly respect the sensitive, emotional, and personal nature of your concerns. You will not feel rushed as we tailor an individualized, comprehensive plan together. My primary goal is your happiness after surgery. If this may not be achievable, as Plastic Surgery can not address every hope, I will certainly explain this to you. My approach during the consultation is extremely open and honest regarding the attributes of Plastic Surgery. Ultimately, once you understand the options, all decisions are yours. My responsibility is to provide you with the ability to make those decisions informed ones. Once communication lines are opened, most people with hopes of improving there appearance, discover that Plastic Surgery can offer wonderful benefits. It is my privilege to provide this care for my patients.
