About Amir Allak, MD
Dr. Allak brings a strong background in both his education and practice. He attended medical school at the historic University of Virginia and went on to train extensively with a world-renowned expert in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Jonathan Sykes at the University of California, Davis. Through these experiences, Dr. Allak not only refined exceptional technical skill, but honed a strong person-centered philosophy about the practice of medicine. In addition to being board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and treating general ENT disorders, Dr. Allak brings to the group a specialty expertise in cosmetic and functional facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Allak: I’ve always loved both science and people, and medicine was the best crossroads between those two things. Some are drawn to the practice of surgery because it is so focused on a single objective, but the reason I love practicing facial surgery is because I get the opportunity to see who a person is … even during surgery. By looking at a person’s face, I never forget who they are. It is easy for some to reduce a patient to a statistic. I prefer to know more about them … maybe they are a mother, a teacher, someone who likes to sing, someone who reads mysteries. It’s much more personal, and something I really value. Dr. Allak: There is a certain amount of technical ability that every good surgeon simply has to develop. Once you have those skills down, some may think that is enough. But there is more … interactions with patients are the discriminating factor between an enriching experience, and a mediocre one. For me, an ability to explain procedures, allay fears, educate, break down stigmas, are what differentiates a ‘good’ surgeon from a ‘great’ one. The basic technical ability is something you should expect from every ‘good’ surgeon, but the interpersonal aspect is the real test … and enhances every other part of the experience for the patient and me alike. Dr. Allak:Ultimately, the decision to have elective cosmetic surgery or procedures is a very personal choice. The way I see it, people work hard for their money, and it is up to her or him to decide how to use those resources to bring happiness to their life without judgment for deciding how best to navigate that path. As far as empowering patients, it is really less about what I do, and more about what I can understand from each person that makes for a better experience. It’s about listening … absorbing and learning from each interaction. I want to understand what your goals and expectations are and tailor my approach to meet your needs. Every person is unique … in what they want, in how they think. No two surgeries or treatments are the same because no two people are the same. I work to match my skills to what each person desires out of the experience. This allows me to apply my skill set to enhance the overall outcome to the next level.
