Plastic surgeon says Toledo could use a few nips, tucks
Written by Racheal Tafelski | | news@toledofreepress.com
Dr. Manish Raj Gupta grew up near Toledo, but given his career choice, he should be in New York City or Los Angeles.
Gupta’s private practice, Artisan Cosmetic Surgery, is located in Oregon.
“It’s not unusual for me to get offers to practice other places on a weekly basis,” Gupta said.
Gupta was born and raised outside Detroit by two doctors from India; his father is a plastic surgeon.
After studying at Boston University, the American University of Caribbean and the Huron Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic Hospital, he could have opened his practice anywhere in the United States. He chose Toledo when his wife got a job and asked him to stay.
“It was an easy fit,” Gupta said. “I’ve been all over the country and world and I can’t think of a better place to raise my kids. Toledo is a big city with a small-town feel.
“Almost everybody knows someone somehow around here. Toledo has all of the amenities of a big city, without being anonymous. Most of my patients know a staff member or were referred by a friend or family member. It’s a nice feeling,” Gupta said.
But Toledo could benefit from some improvements, he said.
“There isn’t a large amount of international exposure in terms of executives or kids from other countries coming here. When I was in school, we had kids from Japan, Mexico, Spain and others. Toledo needs a flavor of more international exposure on a day-to-day basis.”
Gupta performs a range of cosmetic surgery, but his specialty is body contouring. On average, Gupta performs four to five breast augmentations and one to two tummy tucks per week.
“We care about how we appear to the outside world. If you feel it’s important to brush your hair or wear proper clothing, how is plastic surgery any different than that? Gupta said.
“There’s always a challenge to hurting someone in hopes to improve them,” he said. “We turn away patients at times because of health risks and unrealistic expectations. I’m just a guy with some tools, I’m not a magician. I do quality work, but I’m still limited like everyone else. Patients tell me that I improved their self-esteem and personal happiness. Luckily, what I do for a living provides people with happiness.”
To help patients understand the expectations of plastic surgery, Gupta said he and his staff review the pre-op and post-op program with them.
Patient Coordinator Donna McLaughlin, a registered nurse, said Gupta’s bedside manner is straightforward.
“He does not embellish. He tells his patients the truth about the procedure and what results they can expect. He cares about the quality and standard of care his patients receive. I started working for him because of his reputation,” McLaughlin said.
In November, Gupta was among 1,291 worldwide initiates to become one of the Fellows of the American College of Surgeons. The stringent membership requirements mandate that a surgeon demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency.
In addition, Gupta attained board certification from both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He is the chief of plastic surgery at St. Charles Mercy Hospital and is on staff at multiple area hospitals, including the Toledo Hospital, Bay Park Community Hospital, St. Anne Mercy Hospital, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital.
