Dr. Alan Matarasso - Park Avenue, Manhattan

Dr. Matarasso He has published more than 200 articles, letters and abstracts in prestigious peer-reviewed medical journals; delivered over 500 lectures, invited lectures, exhibits, panel presentations and instructional courses.

Name: Dr. Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, P.C.
Clinic/Office: Park Avenue, Manhattan NYC
Website: alanmatarassomd.com

What factor made you decide to venture into cosmetic medicine?

I was influenced by a professor D. Ralph Millard while a medical student at The University of Miami School of Medicine. I completed a residency in Plastic Surgery followed by a specialized fellowship in Aesthetic Surgery at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in NYC. Cosmetic surgery became the sole focus of my practice. With the introduction of non-surgical procedures, like Botox we evolved into the ability to offer the full range of surgical and non-surgical treatments, fillers and energy based treatments (lasers, ultrasound and radiofrequency devices). I then became the first cosmetic medicine section editor of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

What can you tell about your office?

Our office is located on 85th and Park Avenue. I have a wonderful team of nurses, physician assistants and assistants who specialize in cosmetic medicine. The staff is overseen by our coordinator. We provide a full range of cosmetic surgery services (face and eye lift, rhinoplasty, liposuction, abdominoplasty and breast surgery) and all of the non- surgical procedures (neurotoxins, fillers, lasers etc.) We have an accredited operating room on premises, I perform many procedures at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital/Lenox Hill Hospital which is a world known ambulatory surgery center specializing in aesthetic surgery. 

Tell us more about your staff and your hiring process.

There’s a saying “slow to hire fast to fire.” Your staff represents the doctor, their thought process and can be the patient’s first interaction with the office. We constantly look for intelligent people who are consumer orientated, always keeping in mind that we are a service business and that the patient’s satisfaction comes above everything. Members of the team receive a guaranteed salary and generous benefits package that includes health insurance and a retirement plan.

Which non-surgical cosmetic technologies do you use?

Surgery addresses the quantity of tissue, skin, fat etc., but not the quality. Non-surgical treatment often addresses other issues and can complement or enhance surgery or address areas that surgery will not improve. It’s ideal to be able to offer the patients a full range of surgical and non-surgical procedures based on their needs, rather than a practice that can only offer what they have available.

Our Nurse Practitioner, Tiffany M. Rice, N.P., manages the nonsurgical side of the practice. The InMode Platform is the nonsurgical technology that Tiffany is currently using along with fillers (Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane, Kybella etc) and neurotoxins.

In regards to IPL specifically, Lummeca is our preferred treatment. Patients are satisfied with the results of Lummeca as clearance of pigmentation is typically achieved in 1-3 sessions as compared to 3-6 sessions with other IPL technologies that we have used in the past.

We are approached on a regular basis with new technologies which we appreciate and evaluate according to the needs of our patients.

How do you market to patients?

Our referrals come from word of mouth and doctors. Periodically will do blogs about our professional activities such as lecturing to medical groups and writing medical journal articles. I do an extensive amount of plastic surgery education, lectures and journal and textbook writing. I have always been involved in plastic surgery and I’m currently American Society of Plastic Surgery Vice President of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Private Practice Committee.

What do you find as profitable for your practice?

What is most profitable is a happy patient. Happy patients refer friends and family and usually remain patients for life. We are always looking into adding new proven techniques that benefit the patients. We also consider adding trained personnel that preform services we do not currently provide such as hair removal or tattoo removal.

Can you tell us any stories in your current career in cosmetic medicine?

Everybody looks into their own mirror, in other words different things bother different people. I recall a young male with a large mole on his nose and when I introduced myself in my typical fashion of asking what was bothering him, he mentioned something completely different then what I would have thought and never mentioned the very apparent mole on his nose. Or, when a girl comes in and says she wants a B-cup but shows me a picture of an exotic dancer size breast. What most people want is a better more natural version of themselves, not to look different. Another part of the patient encounter is predicting satisfaction, who will be happy and less so. I’ve learned that for any surgical or non-surgical procedure to the extent possible to have an in depth conversation and understanding of all your patients goals. I find we spend more time explaining what the procedures won’t do rather then what it will do. “Under promise over deliver”. Remember pre-treatment it is an explanation, post it is an excuse.

What can you tell your fellow physicians?

It’s all about delivering a good product and being forthright with the patients. In order to showcase your ability it requires communicating with patients in a language they understand. It’s also about the complete “experience”, from the moment they call to their final follow up appointment.

With regards to insights into cosmetic medicine it is a rapidly evolving exciting speciality and staying abreast of all the surgical and non-surgical advantages is essential. Always work hard and put the patient first.

About Dr. Matarasso  

Dr. Matarasso is a native of Westchester County in New York. He attended public schools where he was a 3 letter varsity athlete. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston University and a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Matarasso trained in general surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Hospital where he continued as resident and then chief resident in plastic surgery. He completed a fellowship in cosmetic surgery under the direction of Dr. Thomas D. Rees at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital/Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery-New York University Medical Center. He was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in November 1986. Dr. Matarasso achieved the rank of Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His clinical practice is located in Manhattan, New York. He maintains an AAAASF-accredited operating room and has hospital privileges at numerous New York City medical centers. Dr. Matarasso has devoted his entire career to the specialty of aesthetic plastic surgery.