Rhinoplasty Consultation with Dr. Jack Gunter
In this video Dr. Jack Gunter, consults with his patient on the process of performing a modern day rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Gunter explains what he sees and describes what he can do for the patient. Dr. Gunter then talks with the patient about his goals, the operative plan and what the patient should expect post operatively. The patient asks intuitive questions of how it will be performed and why certain techniques will be used.
This video is being released to help people make an informed decision on the benefits of having a rhinoplasty procedure.
These before and after images show the vast improvement of this patient’s nose after surgery.
January 8th, 2008 - Posted in Cartilage Graft, K-Wire, Rhinoplasty Consultation, Rhinoplasty Procedure | | 0 Comments
Dr. Jack Gunter’s Response to Michael Funk’s Case
Dr. Jack Gunter gives every patient what he believe to be the best method of treatment and goes to great lengths to explain both the risks and benefits involved. Secondary rhinoplasty is one of the most complex and difficult procedures in plastic surgery. These patients are likely to be unhappy with previous surgeries and are seeking additional improvements to a nose that is already compromised in some fashion. Nevertheless, secondary rhinoplasty is a specialty of his practice. He is quite proud of the satisfied patients he has helped during the past 30 years, and how his expertise has been honored and recognized by professional colleagues. Dr. Gunter deeply regrets that Michael Funk had such disappointing results, but also how he has chosen misrepresents many of the facts of his surgery and subsequent care. Throughout his course of treatment and follow-up Dr. Gunter is confident that Michael Funk received exemplary care together with referrals and evaluations from other leaders in the field of plastic surgery.
My name is Jack Gunter and I am a plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas. Thank you for giving me the chance to introduce myself and present you with some of the facts surrounding my experience with, Mr. Michael Funk. Mr. Funk is unhappy with the outcome of his surgery and has expressed his dissatisfaction by building a website and posting messages on the Internet with the intent of destroying my practice. He is now pursuing media avenues, including The Dr. Phil show to share his story.
Although this situation has been escalating for over 4 months, I have not responded to any of these activities. Some folks might have misinterpreted my silence. What people need to know is that doctors are expressly prohibited from replying to any accusations by patients–even false ones–because of the HIPAA privacy laws which keep a doctor from disclosing “protected health information,” including the existence of a physician/patient relationship, without a signed waiver by the patient. On 12/1/2007 Mr. Funk did grant us this permission and we appreciate the opportunity to respond to his contention that we were somehow negligent in his care, when in fact the opposite is true. While my specialty is plastic surgery, I am first and foremost a physician. I care deeply about each of my patients and take the confidence they place in me very seriously.
I also take my credentials very seriously. My credentials include being double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. My achievements have been recognized by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons President’s Award, the Simon Fredricks’ Award, and I am listed in the publication “Best Doctors in America.” I am the co-editor and publisher of Dallas Rhinoplasty: Nasal Surgery by the Masters–considered by my peers to be one of the definitive texts on primary and secondary rhinoplasty. 2008 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium of which I am the founder and chairman. It is attended by physicians worldwide. I have spent my career pioneering innovative techniques that are now the gold standard internationally. In the course of 27 years I have performed over 3,000 rhinoplasty cases. Only once have I had a malpractice suit brought against me, only to have it dismissed by the judge for lack of cause. The majority of my patients are physician referred from across the United States, Internationally or by word of mouth.
The trend toward “super specialization” in healthcare pervades every specialty, with plastic surgery being no exception. Years ago I determined my focus would be rhinoplasty and today my personal practice is devoted exclusively to primary and secondary rhinoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty is considered one of the most complex procedures in plastic surgery. In fact, few doctors make it their primary operation. Even fewer will take secondary rhinoplasty patients, like Mr. Funk because you are dealing with patients who are dissatisfied with either the nasal function or appearance following a previous rhinoplasty and want additional improvements made on a nose that has already been compromised in some form or fashion. These cases are fraught with more risk of serious complications because of their very nature.
My philosophy is that every patient deserves my best. It is never “just another day at the office” for me. I recognize I hold my patient’s self image in my hands and so I am very conscious of how I deliver their care. As a physician, I give every patient what I believe to be the best method of treatment and go to great lengths to explain risk and benefit ratios. If the patient agrees, then treatment can be started. After treatment, whether be it medical or surgical, the patient should be followed closely, especially in the initial stages, and the physician or one of his associates should always be easy to reach. If complications occur, they should be taken care of as soon as possible by the physician or if the physician is not capable, he should help the patient find a physician who can. The best physician at treating those kinds of problems should be sought out. The primary physician should stay in touch with the patient until he is discharged from his care.
The approach I took while Mr. Funk was in my care completely reflects my philosophy and is detailed in the attached history of his case. You will see after reading the facts that I made Mr. Funk absolutely aware of his risks, saw him the 4th, 6th, and 14th day post surgery, arranged for meetings with esteemed colleagues in Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago, contacted him over a dozen times by telephone and even offered to refund my surgical fee when he declared his complications were becoming a financial burden. Our follow up with Mr. Funk was precise, careful and thorough with post operative treatment carefully delivered and documented. This is not the profile of negligence, but one of exemplary care and genuine concern. I am deeply disturbed that Mr. Funk has chosen to misrepresent the situation and am confident that the truth will not be left to his interpretation once all relevant facts are presented for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jack Gunter, MD
December 5th, 2007 - Posted in Rhinoplasty Complications | | 0 Comments
