As a native of Chicago, Dr. Brian Braithwaite is proud to have earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Chicago and University of Illinois College of Medicine. He now helps his patients in the same community achieve their desired appearance. Dr. Braithwaite continued his educational experience with a surgical internship in Chicago before becoming a flight surgeon with the United States Navy. He followed up a tour with a general surgery residency at the medical center on the Keesler Air Force Base. While there, Dr. Braithwaite developed an interest in plastic surgery, and he went on to further his training at the University of Louisville.
Once Dr. Braithwaite completed his plastic surgery training, he became a staff plastic surgeon at Bethesda Naval Medical Center outside of Washington D.C. The medical facility is also referred to as “the President’s Hospital,” and Dr. Braithwaite rose through the ranks with his considerable expertise and skill sets, achieving the rank of Commander and spending several years as Chief of Plastic Surgery. As Bethesda received a majority of Marine and Navy casualties from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, Navy plastic surgeons were heavily involved in reconstruction procedures for these patients. Additionally, Bethesda housed the Breast Care Center that served many breast reconstruction patients in the area, allowing Dr. Braithwaite to expand his knowledge and perform countless primary and revision breast surgeries. He also went on to be named Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Braithwaite is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Aesthetic Society® (formerly known as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS).
Since 2010, Dr. Braithwaite has been practicing plastic surgery in a vintage West Loop building that includes an AAAASF-accredited operating room. The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago occupies two full floors and all elective procedures are performed there. This central location is geographically convenient because it is steps away from Chicago’s train stations, expressway system, and public transit rail line, as well as ample street and lot parking. Overnight accommodations are situated next door for our out-of-town patients who desire this option. Situated along Chicago’s “Restaurant Row” on Randolph Street, visits to The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago afford convenient access to a variety of celebrated casual and fine dining. Dr. Braithwaite’s office features an outstanding staff that includes several nurses and a top-notch anesthesia care team. Patient access to Dr. Braithwaite has always been, and always will be, unparalleled.
In 2016, Dr. Braithwaite was announced as the “BOTOX® King” in Chicago Magazines’s “Best of Chicago” issue. The publication cited his experience as chief of plastic surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as confirmation of his unique qualifications. Dr. Braithwaite designs and administers all custom-tailored BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment plans for his patients at The Aesthetic Institute of Chicago, helping to ensure the highest level of safety and efficacy for optimal results.
Why Is It Important to Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
To achieve your cosmetic goals as safely and effectively as possible, it’s essential that you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. Plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have completed the requisite education and training to become licensed plastic surgeons, and they have been evaluated according to rigorous standards. Board-certified plastic surgeons are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification, and these courses keep them up to date on the latest techniques and technologies in the industry.
How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon for You
Finding the ideal plastic surgeon for you begins with some research. Most surgeons have websites, and you can use this as a resource for information. Check out a potential surgeon to see if they are board-certified, offer the procedure or procedures you’re interested in, and have the level of training and education appropriate to their field. Next, the consultation. The first meeting is an important one, and one where you can ask lots of questions, get personalized advice, and learn more about a surgeon’s demeanor and practice philosophy. Are they a good listener? Do they make you feel confident in their approach? Some of the questions you might want to ask include:
- How often do you perform this procedure?
- Have you ever had complications?
- Do my goals seem reasonable?
- Are there any alternatives to consider?
- Do you have plastic surgery before-and-after photos of this procedure I can see?
- Do you have patient testimonials?
You will likely have many more questions, but these can help get you started. If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery options, please contact Dr. Braithwaite to schedule a consultation. Dr. Braithwaite will be happy to discuss your options with you and come up with a treatment plan that is unique to your needs.