“. . . you have to have an artistic feel for where the fat needs to go along with the ability to visualize anatomy in three dimensions.”
ALISSA SHULMAN M.D., F.A.C.S
Dr. Alissa Shulman of Sovereign Plastic Surgery combines the skills of an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with the aesthetic sensibility of a gifted sculptress. Dr. Shulman also has a busy year ahead as Sarasota Memorial Hospital Chief of Staff and President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons. Her practice focuses on breast and body sculpting, and she is known for her skill in reshaping breasts through lifts, augmentations and reductions. In addition, Dr Shulman devotes a good portion of her practice to breast cancer patients. Although she works with implants, whenever appropriate she encourages patients to consider fat grafting–a more natural approach. Fat grafting uses patients’ own purified fat, which is removed from areas where stubborn, unwanted fat accumulates, such as the belly and hips. With rising concerns about certain cancers and reported symptoms associated with implants, including fatigue and chronic pain, many women are removing their implants and fat grafting provides an alternative. “I’m not against implants, but people deserve to be
as natural as they can be. A lot of older women are opting to remove old implants and choosing a fit, athletic look with smaller, perky breasts,” Dr. Shulman said. “Most surgeons don’t do a lot of fat grafting because it takes more time than other procedures. It also is hard to teach because you have to have an artistic feel for where the fat needs to go along with the ability to visualize anatomy in three dimensions.” Dr. Shulman’s artistic talents were evident very early on, and she was able to double major in anatomy and fine arts as an undergraduate at SUNY Buffalo where she also completed medical school. She is very active professionally on the local and state level. Prior to being named SMH’s Chief of Staff, she was its first female Chief of Surgery and previously was named the hospital’s Physician of the Year. Dr. Shulman also was the first local female named to the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons board, where she served for many years prior to being named President, helping promote high ethical and professional standards throughout the state.
1950 Arlington St., Suite 112 Sarasota, FL 34239 941.366.5476 www.sovereignps.com 90
SARASOTA SCENE | JANUARY 2020