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Photo by Michael Williams

Dr. John Williams

Dr. Williams has grown a reputation as one of the area’s top board-certified plastic surgeons known for his meticulous skill and keen eye for aesthetic balance. He counts local celebrities, athletes and fellow physicians among his patients. He has practiced in Scottsdale for 20 years.

What prompted your start in plastic surgery?

I became interested in plastic surgery during my general surgery residency. I was fascinated with the surgical expertise of plastic surgeons, which included the ability to operate on any body part from head to toe and on any tissue type. I was intrigued by all of the subspecialties within the field, including reconstructive surgery after trauma, cancer extirpation, congenital malformations, burn reconstruction, microsurgery, hand surgery, craniofacial surgery and, of course, aesthetic surgery. I also loved the challenge of solving difficult surgical problems that require multiple surgical techniques and an in-depth 3D knowledge of human anatomy. All of this combined with an artistic eye for the aesthetics of the human body, balance and proportions drew me into the specialty.

What is the most rewarding part of your career?

I am honored when patients choose me to be their surgeon and to help them achieve their goals through surgical or non-surgical procedures. That is an incredible responsibility that I do not take lightly because I have the opportunity to profoundly affect their lives in a positive way. Not many careers offer that kind of satisfaction.

What are the biggest challenges you face working in your field?

Unfortunately, within the specialty of aesthetic surgery, there are many physicians practicing who call themselves “cosmetic surgeons.” They are not board-certified plastic surgeons and have little or no training. As members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Arizona Society of Plastic Surgeons, my colleagues and I spend a significant amount of time educating patients on how to look for real board-certified plastic surgeons to make sure they will get the best (and safest) outcome possible.

Are there certain advancements in your field that you are most excited about?

The advances in non-surgical aesthetic procedures, driven by cutting-edge plastic surgical research, will continue to revolutionize the field. New technology is rapidly expanding the choices we have for non-surgical procedures that, one day, will most likely take the place of many of the time-honored surgical procedures. We are still a few years away, but I can imagine it won’t be long before we will be able to achieve incredible results without ever having to touch a scalpel.

What influence do you hope to have on the Valley?

When I started my career, I was focused on reconstructive surgery following trauma to the face and body, reconstruction following cancer surgery or repairing injuries to the hands. It was incredibly rewarding to be able to help someone return to their lives and their professions and be able to perform their job or be happy with the way they look. When I decided to focus on aesthetic surgery over a decade ago, I was just as amazed at the impact this type of surgery can have on a patient’s life. Since then, I have been working with patients to help them ignore the stigma surrounding plastic surgery and try to  understand the benefits of being confident in yourself and your appearance and how that can impact all aspects of your life. Unlike many offices in the Valley, I personally perform all of the exams, the surgery and all of the post-op care to make sure the patient receives the customized treatment they deserve. What better influence can I have than to be able help people improve their lives on a daily basis?