Dr. Jose Leon

Dr. Leon has hospital affiliations at Plastimedic.

Education: Undergraduate and Medical School
Medical: Universidad Iberoamericana, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Post-Medical School Training Residencies: Plastic Surgery, Instituto Jalisciense de Cirug­a Reconstructiva Dr. Josa Guerrerosantos, Guadalajara, Mexico General Surgery, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

What made you want to become a Doctor and how did you choose to become a Surgeon?
Actually, it all started when I was very young. I think, from what I can recall, it all started when my dad caught Hepatitis A, I was about 8 years old and my next door neighbor was a Gastroenterologist, and he attended to my father while he was sick. In the end, I had no idea why, but I was really caught up with the “aura”, after that, and the rest is basically history.

Where did you do most of your studies and how long have you been practicing?
I Studied medicine and after that General surgery in Santo Domingo. I then moved to Guadalajara, Mexico for three years into the Instituto Jalisciense de Cirugia Reconstructiva Dr. Jose Guerrosantos to do plastic surgery. I’ve been practicing in private practice since 2012.

How challenging is it for you to balance life and work?
It is a bit hard sometimes, patients like direct contact with their doctor, and that means when they have a question or they feel something out the ordinary, the text me, or they call me, so that makes it hard or near to impossible to hang your white coat at the office and have quality time with the family, but, it just comes with the title, you’re basically always on call.

Do you have your own practice?
Yes, I currently have my office at Plastimedic, which is where I do my surgeries as well.

In your experience, what are some of the most consistent misconceptions you hear from patients about getting cosmetic surgery?
I think it’s the fact that they feel they’re overweight, or a bit too fat, and they want to get plastic surgery, it simply doesn’t work like that; plastic surgery molds the body, and you will weigh the same after the procedure. People who are in obesity ranges, are likely to not get the best result out of their body, and will lead to multiple trips to the operating room, and worst yet, the fatter the patient, the more likely for complications.

Do you have a favorite procedure that you feel is your best?
That question represents a bit of a struggle at heart. I love doing body contouring procedures, (liposuction and tummy tucks) especially the Vaser liposuctions, but I take immense pride in my breast surgeries, especially my lifts without implants. I love the look of the breast implants, but I am a very hardline advocate that if you have the volume, do NOT get an implant.

What have you found to be the most challenging in your work and why?
Making patients loose weight before surgery (when they need to of course). They would rather put themselves at risk and find someone to do the procedure even if they’re overweight. They basically don’t understand that it’s both a question of safety and good, lasting results.

How do you keep yourself up to date with technology and industry advancements?
I’m always reading up on the Medical Journals and attending Medical Meetings.

How do you as a physician ensure the safety of patients traveling from overseas to have surgery?
First off, I think the main thing for me is to talk directly with the patient over the phone, so I can tell them to loose weight if needed, or any necessary preparation they have to do in regards to their medical history. Secondly, since I don’t have a chart with all health problems a patient has had over the years, I need to basically rely on interviewing the patients, and making sure different specialists evaluate the patients previous to surgery to minimize any window for complications.

What would you like to tell prospective patients about yourself that they may not know?
The idea that to effectively treat a patient, relies on my giving that patient, the same treatment as if he or she was family.