Critical Thinking: When to Adopt New Technologies for Plastic Surgery and When Not To
September 26, 2008 by dr. lam
I was very honored that my mentor said to me in Chicago, “Sam, you are really a great thinker. You are one of the thinkers in our Academy.” I had another individual whom I respect say to a vendor, “You must talk with Sam because he is a really respected thinker in the Academy.” Finally, I talked with another colleague of mine from Florida who said, “I really like the way you think.” I was very touched by these words and took them to heart. I think many times we pass through life “satisfied” with where we are and really don’t exercise the noggin a bit to see if what we are doing is the best thing that we could do.
In Chicago last week, I spent as much time in the exhibit hall looking at new technology as I did in the lecture hall listening to scientific papers. I will be doing the same today, as I am lecturing In St. Louis. What I have learned to develop over time is a critical skepticism about new technologies out there. It is great to go to the annual meeting and see what is the latest thing that is out there and before jumping head first to sit back and evaluate the efficacy, safety, and “long-term” benefits that a new technology may have.
I will be introducing a couple of new injectable fillers on Monday and Tuesday’s blogs that I have true skepticism about and I will tell you why. Does that mean I won’t ever be using these products? No. That may not be the case. I just want to have you understand where I see that technology today. I also was looking at some new laser/light technology that I am a year away from adopting if ever. I studiously evaluated each system by asking the individual about the pros and cons (which is obviously extremely prejudiced information) and then will be doing some clinical tests over the next year to see for myself any validity. There is a good saying, “Don’t be the first person on the block to do something and don’t be the last person on the block to do something.” Those are words to live by.
Two errors I made in the past by adopting technology too fast were the Threadlift and the Surgiwire. Both technologies proved to be useless and did not live up to the brand quality that I have established when you come to see me as a surgeon and practitioner. I have promised my patient base that I will not jump blindly into new technology but evaluate that technology over time to ensure that it is what it is touted to be. At the same time, many surgeons never go to a meeting, whereas I go to 10 to 12 meetings a year. So it is very important to keep up with the latest thinking and techniques but only to adopt that technology and technique when sufficient time has passed to see whether that technology merits incorporation into a plastic surgery practice. That is my promise to you.
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