Vasily Khrapach: There is nothing better for a surgeon than active learning

Plastic surgeons from all over the world came to be part of a massive augmentation mammoplasty master class organized by USAPS – Ukrainian Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeons and Allergan Company.

The journalists of estet-portal.com found out why surgeons value events of this format so much, and also what are the current trends in augmentation mammoplasty from one of the organizers of the master class, plastic surgeon, doctor of medical sciences, professor Vasily Khrapach.

What is special about today's master class?

W.H.: Our master class –  this is essentially a training program from the global community of plastic and aesthetic surgeons and Allergan.

The most important thing about such practical activities is that we freely exchange experiences.

The new generation is greedily nibbling on knowledge. They know that if they get them, they will be better, and tomorrow they will operate instead of me. While I put in my teeth, they, however, are not false (laughs), my young colleague will go for a run, scroll through all the current news on the Internet, and tomorrow he will publish on Instagram that only he does this or another operation. Whether you like it or not, we have to follow this rhythm.

We are stimulated not only by young colleagues, but also, first of all, by patients. Because they choose who they go to. And although I position myself as an experienced surgeon, nevertheless I have to study too, because there is no other way out, we will simply fall behind.

What is the most important thing in the work of a plastic surgeon?

V.Kh.: The preoperative preparation, the consultation, and how you discussed with the patient the realization of her desires are important. This is not just an increase, the chest can be made of any size, if desired. The shape of the breast, the location of the nipple are important, and most importantly, what a woman wants: for everyone to hit the beach, or just for her friends to die of envy, or she just wants to admire herself and feel confident.

I can say, having quite a lot of experience, that no operation brings so much happiness. Because women — it's an emotional realm, no doubt. You make beautiful breasts and pregnancies, marriages, and so on begin, because a woman gains self-confidence, and, it would seem, she only enlarged her breasts.

Why is it especially important for a surgeon to attend practical events, master classes?

V.H.: I will quote a classic, there is an Italian surgeon Aldo Piccolo, he once said such a beautiful phrase that we like to repeat:

"Any surgeon must master many methods of operations, and keep them like a quiver with arrows behind his back, and at the right moment get the necessary arrow."

At master classes, which are an active form of education, we, together with the audience, select a methodology and take out the very “arrows from the quiver” that are best for the patient. And it is especially important to choose not only the optimal technique, but also high-quality implants, such as, for example, Natrelle® from Allergan.

Master classes allow the surgeon to see all the manipulations in real time. Practical events – this is an invaluable experience, because every conference I always endure something new for myself.