Dr. David Nguyen
Dr. David C. Nguyen is a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon specializing in Aesthetic Surgery of the Face, Breast and Body at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) located in Houston, TX. A native of New Orleans, LA, he attended Tulane University School of Medicine on a merit-based scholarship after graduating at the top of his undergraduate class at Xavier University of Louisiana. At Tulane, he was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society. He then matched into a competitive integrated Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery position at Saint Louis University (SLU) where he trained in all facets of Plastic Surgery including Hand Surgery, Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery, Burn Surgery, Trauma & Oncologic Reconstructive Surgery, and Aesthetic Surgery. During these 6 years of training, he learned to appreciate the full spectrum of Plastic Surgery including the significance of restoring form and function, the essence of Plastic Surgery. Naturally a leader, he served as administrative chief resident in his final year. He then decided to focus his training in Aesthetic Surgery to restore his patients’ confidence in themselves and improve their quality of life. Throughout his training, he is known for his warm personality, attention to detail, technical aptitude, devout patient care, and naturally enhancing results. In addition to his training, he has also contributed to the field of Plastic Surgery through his research endeavors including multiple oral presentations on the national level including Plastic Surgery the Meeting, The Aesthetic Meeting, and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association Meeting. He has also published numerous peer-reviewed articles in several major plastic surgery journals including the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (ASJ), Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open Access (PRS-GO), Annals of Plastic Surgery, Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (CPCJ), and the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal. Through actively contributing to research and being a peer reviewer for plastic surgery journals, Dr. Nguyen strives to keep up with the latest techniques in Aesthetic Surgery to provide evidence-based, optimal outcomes for his patients. Dr. Nguyen strongly believes that everyone is beautiful in their own way and that Plastic Surgery is merely a medium one may use to enhance one’s own natural beauty. Despite the demands of Aesthetic Surgery, he feels that there is no greater feeling than witnessing the transformation of a patient whose external appearance is harmonized with their internal self- image. He is confident that he can help you achieve your aesthetic goals through patient-physician camaraderie, informed consent, thorough communication, and customized patient care. Q&A With Dr. Nguyen
Naturally, I tend to rely both on objective facts and intuition for any decision that I make. I chose ACPS as my ideal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Fellowship because objectively it offers strong mentorship in both career and personal development, a top-tier training experience that encompasses all aspects of aesthetic surgery (breast, body, face, non-surgical rejuvenation, and business/practice management), and its dedication to providing evidence-based, optimal aesthetic care for patients through dedicated research. Intuitively, it was during my interview days that I knew this was my ideal fellowship program. The combination of dedicated patient-centered care, camaraderie among the providers and support staff, high productivity and efficiency, and sense of community, created a distinct atmosphere that made me feel at home.
During medical school, I was one of those students infatuated with every specialty and so deciding among a specialty was insanely difficult for me. The word “plastic” derived from the Greek word “plastikos,” which means “capable of being molded or shaped”, is the foundation of Plastic Surgery. Being able to restore form, and ultimately function, to improve the quality of life for patients was most fulfilling and the reason I chose to become a plastic surgeon. Plastic Surgery encompasses more than what most people think. It embodies innovation through both patient-focused care and technology; encompasses a broad, yet niche scope of practice in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries all over the body; and serves a broad scope of patients from pediatrics to the elderly and all genders. Simply put, there was no other specialty like Plastic Surgery.
My goal is to provide the highest quality patient care to my patients both in the office, the operating room, and most importantly, postoperatively. I hope to provide my patients with the care that I would provide for my wife, loved-one, or family member. I intend to do so by creating a vulnerable, yet safe atmosphere where patients truly feel comfortable expressing any of their concerns so that I can truly understand their goals and expectations. Additionally, I intend to continue attending meetings and participating in scholarly activity to optimize and provide the highest quality care for my patients. Ambitious in nature, I am always striving for advancements in precision and excellent patient care.
If I could choose one thing that I love most about my work, it would be the opportunity to have a positive impact on a patient’s quality of life. I love the entire journey of high-quality aesthetic care from developing camaraderie with my patients at the initial consultation, the distinct methodical flow state of performing an operation, and fostering a supportive and healing postoperative atmosphere. I love being able to be there for my patients and witness their journey from start to finish and beyond.
During my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife, family, and friends. I am a huge foodie and love to indulge in all types of cuisines and desserts, with particular emphasis on desserts. To help balance this lifestyle, I enjoy weight training, fitness, and hiking. Additionally, I enjoy traveling more than vacationing (which my wife has made a clear distinction between).
I am first generation and the first in my family to complete medical school. I owe a lot of my successes to my immigrant parents whose highest education completed was that of an associate degree and high school diploma. Instead of career-focused guidance, they provided me with life lessons and the work ethic to overcome any obstacle and to accomplish my goals in a supportive and conducive manner. If you asked me 10 years ago how I predicted my life’s trajectory, I would have never dreamt of becoming a plastic surgeon given my humble upbringing. Despite what most people perceive given my journey to Plastic Surgery, I am more of a reflection of my past failures that I overcame, rather than my successes.
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Many people just exist.” by Oscar Wilde
Being goal oriented, I always sought the next phase of my life as a stepping stone until I achieved my next goal. For example, as a high school student, I longed to be an undergraduate student. Similarly, as an undergraduate student, I dreamt of the days I would be in medical school. It wasn’t until residency when I truly started to abide by this quote and start appreciating the process rather than the destination. By simply being goal-oriented, I was merely existing, but I have learned to love the process and make a conscious effort daily to truly live in the present whether it be in my career or personal life.