We recently connected with Christopher Salgado and have shared our conversation below.
Christopher, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
I have been performing both top and bottom Gender Affirmation Surgery for the past 14 years and practicing plastic surgery for the past 22 years. I have witnessed many heartwarming stories from patients with ailments resulting from cancer, infections, genetic diseases, and victims of trauma; however one particular story that stands out in my transgender practice was that of a 90 year old transgender woman who desired vaginoplasty (male to female bottom surgery / penis to vagina). Many would wonder ” why would the patient wait so long?”; however I remind them that not every transgender person desires nor needs to undergo bottom surgery or any surgery at all. It is when their gender dysphoria is minimized or eliminated utilizing mental health therapy and / or hormones (in some cases) that they are transitioned and comfortable in their gender they identify with. Also one’s time to undergo surgery varies on many factors, such as their home situation, work, economical, etc. This particular woman decided to undergo surgery at 90 years of age and she was in perfect health. Therefore, after obtaining medical clearance we performed a vaginoplasty on her and what stood out to me, in particular, and really touched my heart is that prior to rolling back to the Operating Room she said, “Dr. Salgado, if I die on the operating room table please finish my surgery because I want to go to my grave as a woman”. I literally cried and said, Don’t worry we will smile at each other after surgery , and that we did.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a graduate of Boston University where I obtained a Bachelors in Anatomy and Physiology and subsequently completed medical school at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. where I remained for General Surgery training. and then went on to the University of Rochester in N.Y. for Plastic Surgery training. Following this I spent a year in Taiwan for a fellowship in Microsurgery. I then served in the U.S. Army, as a MAJOR for four years, caring for wounded soldiers as a reconstructive surgeon and then remained in academic practice for the next 19 years in University hospitals, obtaining an academic rank of full Professor. I have over 130 papers in the peer-reviewed literature, have edited three books and have written multiple book chapters. Over the past twenty-three years I have been on nearly 20 Humanitarian Missions across the world, while in the military, Central American Medical Outreach and with the TransAtlantic Educational Foundation. I have dedicated the last thirteen years of my life to the study of post-oncologic reconstruction, limb salvage, genital, and transgender surgery. I am currently in private practice in Miami, FL at Constructive Surgery Associates.
What sets me apart from other Plastic Surgeons is the fact that due to my extensive amount of research and publications I have a more superior knowledge of disease processes, etiologies and treatments than most physicians. I often get referrals from Urologists, Gynecologists, Neurosurgeons, General Surgeons, Vascular Surgeons, Podiatrists and Dermatologists for problems they cannot solve. I make every effort to work in conjunction with them on cases so that we can each learn from each other. Collaboration is key in medicine.
I am most proud of my work in transgender surgery and the book of published in Gender Affirmation Surgery. It has become the landmark book in Gender Affirmation Surgery and having other surgeons who desire to train in the field read my book certainly makes me feel proud to have contributed to the field. In addition, my work for transgender rights and healthcare reform has also given me a sense of pride.
In addition, to our work in gender surgery we pride on the fact that we care for a multitude of complex problems in plastic surgery which are referred by other surgeons and physicians.. We feel that a patient can present with any problem and we will either take care of it or make sure that they get to the right person for proper evaluation. In addition, we also perform cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast and body procedures and Aesthetic Surgery of the Genitalia. This includes vaginal rejuvenation, which are procedures not commonly performed in Miami but are warranted. Finally, we take all insurances including Medicare and Medicaid and will leave no one behind.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I feel that besides one’s knowledge and training in their field of choice actual success is achieved when you have made others on your team successful as ell. It is not I but us who achieve success. Choosing individuals on your team who make you a better person and propel you forward is important in any field, particularly in health care. It is important to recognize them and as you reach a higher level you bring your team with you by giving them more responsibility with financial reward. Your team will confide in you, admire you and realize that as you grow so will they. Healthcare is a team sport. The administrative staff, ancillary staff, and clinical staff are all equally important in maximizing a patients health care experience. Choosing the right team and rewarding them well is vital to your success.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing our patient base has been word of mouth. Social media has been very influential for many businesses however just as a business may be highly regarded in social networks, all it takes is one unknown user on any platform to degrade your business. Media networks thrive on negative stories regarding successful businesses and unfortunately many stories are regurgitated with no verification of sources. This can be the downfall of a business however if one stays true to their work and have built a strong word of mouth referral network it can survive an online onslaught.
Having an unsolicited patient or client advertise you by posting a strong and ;positive testimonial is one of the strongest forms of advertisement. Everyone appears to be the world’s expert on their website however when a patient or client speaks highly of your work then this carries far more weight. Testimonials or reviews are certainly helpful and this may also be effective for growing a patient or clientele base. Stay true to your work and following through until your patient is satisfied is extremely important. Many physicians may become busy in their practice and not value each patient equally. They all need to valued equally to grow a practice.
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Image Credits
Thank you to Dayana Concheso and Rachel Donaldson