By Wayne F. Larrabee, Jr., M.D.
Reflections on a Generation
The Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset believed that a generation lasts about eight years. For most of us, this is a good time frame to look at the past, reflect upon our lives, and build upon these experiences as we move forward.
I am writing this in 2017, reflecting on what this new generation might bring. I would propose that we are facing a new paradigm in the global aesthetic arena: Correct and Maintain.
A New Paradigm: Correct and Maintain
Our goal is to prevent aging changes with great skincare products, advanced injectables, and minimally invasive procedures. When correction is necessary, it should be precise, artistic, and natural.
We then develop a team plan to maintain these benefits throughout the patient’s lifetime.
“It is essential to refine how we understand each face — not only in scientific terms, but as artists.”
Artistry and Science in Aesthetic Medicine
At The Larrabee Center, we have remained dedicated to advancing the specialty of plastic surgery. The development and publication of our textbooks —
Surgical Anatomy of the Face, Principles of Facial Reconstruction, and The Art and Craft of Facial Rejuvenation have continued to strengthen our field.
Anatomy is the foundation for understanding facial aging and how to correct it. I also founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery for over 15 years. Those years provided an opportunity to identify and study the best evidence-based techniques in the aesthetic arena.
These academic efforts provide both the scientific and artistic foundation for advising and treating our patients optimally.
Commitment to Excellence and Education
Our primary surgical mission remains to provide the most advanced and artistic surgical results for our patients in the safest environment possible.
In medicine, the passage of knowledge to the next generation is a structured but sacred tradition. During the past decades, while serving as President of:
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The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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The American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
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The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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The International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies
…it has been my honor to help improve the quality of medical care delivered both in the U.S. and abroad — while preserving the deeply personal nature of the physician–patient relationship.
Currently, I continue to direct the University of Washington Fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery, teach and lead national and international courses, and maintain our commitment to ongoing pro bono work. These activities ensure we remain at the forefront of the newest procedures and technologies from around the globe.
Humanitarian Mission
Over the last several decades, we have been able to support programs that help victims of domestic violence in Seattle, as well as children with cleft lip, palate, and other facial deformities throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
It is our ongoing goal to expand our humanitarian contribution through a partnership between the University of Washington and Global Surgical Outreach, a nonprofit I founded and continue to direct.
— Wayne F. Larrabee, Jr., M.D.