As part of our get to know your surgeon series, PSF sat down with Dr Matthew Peters.
Dr Peters along with Dr Raymond Goh are the two talented surgeons who established Valley Plastic Surgery in Brisbane.
We hope you enjoy getting to know Dr Peters as much as we did.
Why did you become a plastic surgeon?
I was drawn to plastic surgery in the first place because it afforded me the opportunity to make a real difference not only in my patient’s physical wellbeing, but also their mental health. The type of problems my patients present with genuinely affect them in very personal ways; I find myself having to be quite creative to solve the problem at hand to achieve the desirable outcome for my patient, a situation that no other medical specialty encounters.
What are your primary plastic surgery interests and why?
I have a particular interest in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. I find it incredibly rewarding, in terms of the challenge due to the complexities of the surgery itself, but also because of the rapport that I am able to build with my patients. I find that I am often given an insight into their ‘surgical journey,’ which is quite a personal thing – they arrive with a feeling that their problem is insurmountable and yet leave stronger than they ever were before.
What do you love most about your job as a plastic surgeon?
The people I work with and the people that I work on. Everyone has a story to tell – apologies if it causes delays in my waiting room!
What is the hardest part about being a plastic surgeon?
The stress I put on myself to do a good job. I hate it when things don’t turn out exactly how I want it to.
How would your friends describe you?
I had to ask them this – ‘busy but always there,’ ‘good sense of humour,’ ‘particular about how I do things,’ ‘nice teeth.’
We have to agree with Dr Peters friends on this one. He has lovely teeth 🙂
What do you do for fun?
I have three kids (10, 8 and 2) so whatever they are in to at the time ☺ Currently I enjoy making wrist bands, cricket, and playing with kupie dolls.
What is your style?
An up to date traditionalist
What advice do you have when deciding on a surgeon?
I would go with someone who has a good reputation but with whom I am able to develop a good rapport with. You need to be able to trust that your surgeon will do a good job, but you also need to feel comfortable enough to tell them what you want, and don’t want.
What are some of your career highlights?
Interesting question. Being made Director of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital is one of them. Establishing a private practice, seeing it grow, all whilst being part of a household where my wife is a surgeon as well and we have three kids to wrangle… highlights abound ☺
What advice do you have for someone thinking about having plastic surgery?
Be very particular about what is you want to achieve but be very realistic about what is actually achievable.
Have you ever had to turn patients away due to unrealistic expectations?
Yes, but not often. Most people that I see have put in quite a bit of thought and effort prior to seeing me – sometimes they’ve even read the same textbooks! They are usually aware of what the procedure involves and what outcomes can be achieved.
What procedures are becoming more popular and what are decreasing
Dual plane breast augmentation trying to achieve a ‘natural look’ is definitely in vogue at the moment. Requests for breast reduction surgery are increasing, probably due to recent media attention at the Oscars ☺ Tummy tucks are always popular. Patients presenting for breast reconstruction are asking about ‘air expanders,’ and immediate autologous reconstruction with contralateral symmetrisation is on the rise.
Decreasing?? Haven’t had anyone ask for the ‘push-up bra’ look for quite a while…
What is your understanding of beauty and how does this relate to your practice?Beauty is carrying what you’ve been given, in style. How this relates to my practice? Making what nature has given you a little bit better is best; striving for large changes is disastrous.
PSF would like to thank Dr. Matthew Peters for his input into this blog post.
