Erasing lines and filling needs
By JODY BOWESThe Julian Institute of Plastic Surgery was founded by Dr. Marc Polecritti, D.O. last October.
The institute is Polecritti's first business venture. He named it after his son Julian, now seven months old. "The name means 'to be youthful,'" Polecritti said. "I thought it was a great way to start a practice."
Polecritti said he was recruited to Spring Hill by Spring Hill Regional Hospital. He's currently on staff at Spring Hill and Brooksville Regional Hospitals.
"They did a needs analysis and felt we could really fill a need here in Hernando County," Polecritti stated. He said COO Gino Santorio and CEO Alex Contreras-Soto have been very accessible and helpful getting him up and running. His dad, a former business owner, also helped with a lot of over-the-phone advising from Pittsburgh.
The Julian Institute specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body. They also offer less invasive treatments, like Botox® and dermal wrinkle fillers, and carry skin care products. They are an authorized Obagi® skin care system medical practice.
Polecritti loves the hand-eye aspect of medicine. "I enjoy the artistic portion of recreating or trying to fix a problem that's always different. You have to customize for each patient," he added.
"Plastic surgery is pretty much broken up into two general categories, cosmetic and reconstructive," Polecritti explained. "Some plastic surgeons only focus on one category. I like the variety of both."
"The difference is that most reconstructive patients are referred by their physician. They come here with a purpose. For elective cosmetic applications, most patients are 'shopping.' They're looking for pamphlets and handouts of product and procedure descriptions."
Skin cancer and breast cancer reconstruction are the most common types of reconstructive surgery he performs. Because of family members who have had procedures to treat breast cancer, Polecritti has a special interest in post-mastectomy reconstruction.
He also does consultations for motor vehicle or other injuries. "I do full body as well as head and neck, scar revision, burn injuries, chronic wounds, hand and upper extremity surgery," he added.
For cosmetic procedures, Polecritti said the most popular is some level of facial rejuvenation, from injectables to skin care to an actual surgical procedure.
"Somewhere in that wide range," he explained, "is the most frequent reason somebody comes in. They want to know what they can do to look a little more refreshed, and like they did a few years back. We go through the entire range of options then customize what the patient wants to do, and what the results they hope to achieve are likely to be."
He said cosmetic patients range in age from "mid-thirty-year-olds interested in getting rid of a few wrinkles with Botox, to forty-plussers maybe adding an eyelid lift or face lift."
We asked what procedures yield the most dramatic effect. "It depends on the area of the body," he replied. "You can get a significant change with a number of procedures. A tummy tuck shows a dramatic before and after. Breast augmentation or lift makes a big difference, and a face lift is probably the Cadillac of facial rejuvenation."
Polecritti cautioned that patients must be medically fit, able to tolerate anesthesia, and likely to do well with recovery.
"If those criteria are met," he continued, "the second most important thing is that the patient forms a comfortable, trusting relationship with the surgeon and staff, knowing the staff will walk them through the entire process, not give them the cheapest price, rush them in and rush them out.
"Unfortunately many facilities do that with cosmetic surgery. I think they prey on patients not being informed as to what they should expect. I always try to counsel the patients so they're as educated as they want to or can be about whatever surgery they're contemplating."
Polecritti also uses his surgical skills to help those in need. In 2010 he traveled to Haiti, providing plastic and general surgery to injured Haitians. Locally the institute has offered support to the Business Professional Women's group that works closely with breast cancer awareness. Polecritti is looking for opportunities to speak and present to support groups within the community for breast and skin cancer awareness.
The Julian Institute's website has more about Polecritti's work in Haiti as well as his affiliations, education and experience. There are detailed descriptions of their services, a contact form for submitting questions or requesting a consultation, and "before and after" photos. They are also on Facebook and @DrPolecritti on Twitter.
The institute takes all major insurance coverage and offers CareCredit patient payment plans.
Polecritti will participate in the Stolte Eye and Hearing Center's Health Fair Thursday, April 7 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Stolte's Jennifer Rickert (stolteeyecenter.com) said they were excited to invite Polecritti to discuss cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The show will also feature free hearing evaluations, eye exams and vendors selling discounted high-end frames, like Gucci.
The Julian Institute is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for consultation and appointments. Dr. Polecritti can be reached 24/7 through his answering service. The office is located on Spring Hill Drive on the right side of Trinity Plaza. A large "Botox" banner beside the road is a good landmark.
BIZ AT A GLANCE
Name: The Julian Institute of Plastic Surgery
Location: 10429 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill
Telephone: (352) 556-5248
Website:
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