Trust is the first thing on the agenda of
CalvertHealth plastic surgeon Dr. Wilfred
Ehrmantraut, Jr. He knows how nerve-wracking
it can be to meet with a surgeon
for the first time.
“The most important thing to understand is I’m a human
being and I really love my patients. I have close relationships
with them, guiding them through the entire surgical process
from beginning to end,” said Dr. Ehrmantraut. “It’s an honor
to have all these patients trust me. I always strive to do
my best to get the best outcomes for them. It’s not just me
working as a doctor making decisions for them. It’s a shared
trust between the two parties.”
A plastic surgeon’s goal is to restore the
physical appearance and function of the body.
Plastic surgery encompasses procedures
such as tumor removal, repairing body parts
harmed by injuries such as dog bites or
burns, breast reconstruction, as well as the
treatment of defects such as cleft palate.
When a patient first meets with Dr.
Ehrmantraut, he starts the initial consultation
with a conversation getting to know the
patient and understanding their goals.
Dr. Ehrmantraut will advise on what may and
may not be possible. Sometimes, as a result
of the popularization of plastic surgery in
television shows, patients can come in with
unreasonable expectations for the procedure
and their results. “The job of the plastic
surgeon is to communicate honestly to the
patient what can and can’t be done,” he said.
He usually sees a patient at least twice
before any major procedure to ensure
the patient understands the nature of the
procedure, the risks, the benefits and any
alternatives there may be. He will also
show pictures, draw his own pictures and
demonstrate various treatment options.
“Communication is the most paramount thing
we do in consults aside from the physical
examination,” Dr. Ehrmantraut said.
For patient interactions involving breast
cancer, Dr. Ehrmantraut works hand-inhand
with the team at CalvertHealth Cancer
Center’s Sheldon E. Goldberg Center for
Breast Care to counsel patients on treatment
and the reconstruction process.
After a mastectomy, for some, breast
reconstructive surgery can become a symbol
of hope and a step toward reclaiming selfconfidence.
“We work as a team here at
CalvertHealth to get those individuals desiring
reconstructive surgery through the entire
process. And that process is tailored to each
individual patient,” said Dr. Ehrmantraut.
He makes sure the patient is not only a
good candidate for the surgery, but that it’s
also the best procedure for the patient.
Dr. Ehrmantraut said the safety and efficacy
of breast implants have historical data
showing they are safe, but some patients have
comorbidities that preclude them from having
breast implants. Additionally, patients who
choose to undergo breast reconstruction are
monitored long-term.
Dr. Ehrmantraut strives to treat each
patient like a friend or family member. That
comes naturally to him as Dr. Ehrmantraut
lives in the community and brings his own
family to CalvertHealth for their medical care.
Plastic Surgery vs. Cosmetic Surgery:
What’s the Difference?
Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often used
interchangeably to describe procedures like breast
augmentations, tummy tucks and facelifts, leading many
individuals to believe that plastic surgeons and cosmetic
surgeons are also the same. They are not.
Plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery and must undergo at least six years of residency
training, with at least half of that training in plastic and
reconstructive procedures. Along with this residency training,
surgeons must complete a surgical residency program and
undergo at least one year of a fellowship program specializing in
cosmetic surgery.
Plastic surgeons are required to be trained in cosmetic
surgery, general surgery and reconstructive surgery, whereas
cosmetic surgeons do not.