Cox: Dr. Truesdale, you have this amazing cosmetic procedure that gives you a competitive advantage in the industry and helping people look 10, 15, or even 20 years younger. Can you tell me more about your method of facial plastic surgery, how you came up with it, and why is it different then what’s on the market today?
Dr. Truesdale: The technique you are referring to is the deep plane facelift. As we age, we lose volume, and things fall. Gravity wins! I tell people that I’m a gravity fighter. I lift the muscle back to where it used to be. I use a special technique that a lot of doctors don’t use because it’s more challenging than the average surgery. A deep plane facelift brings you closer to the facial nerve. This is important because it’s the nerve in the face that helps move the muscle. My deep plane facelift creates a beautiful result for patients, but you really have to know what you are doing and be an expert surgeon but also an expert in facial anatomy to do it well. People leave refreshed and looking like themselves … It’s really changing the game!

Cox: Tell me about your background and how you became a surgeon?
Dr. Truesdale: I grew up in upstate New York to a father who is a scientist and a mother who is an artist. I knew early on, around the age of 10, that I admired both of their chosen paths. Around that time, we lost my baby brother. I decided then that I wanted to help people, and to use science to do so. I went to Morehouse College for undergrad and the University of Pennsylvania for medical school. I realized quickly, pretty much as soon as I got to medical school, that I wanted to be a surgeon. I absolutely love working with my hands and how transformative surgery can be on someone’s life. I went “shopping” for what type of surgeon I wanted to be and immediately fell in love with head and neck surgery. I matched into the top Head and Neck Surgery / Otolaryngology residency in the US (The University of Michigan) and decided to subspecialize in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Like I mentioned, the other part of me is an artist. I’m a portrait artist who grew up working with graphite and oils. So, what better way than to combine my artistry with my knowledge and skill as a surgeon than facial plastic surgery? Plus, I get to really help people. I can’t think of anything better!

Cox: There’s not that much representation in your field as a Black doctor. Why do you think there is still a huge lack of representation?
Dr. Truesdale: It’s interesting – if you look at the data in the 1970s, there were more Black men in medicine during that time frame than there are in medical school today. I do a lot of work in the medical space in terms of diversity and inclusion. It’s not that there are fewer people of color that are capable. Medicine is an extremely challenging career path, is often very expensive, and requires years of training and multiple rounds of interviews, tests, and application processes. Many bright and intelligent individuals might prefer to become a lawyer or businessperson, or other lucrative and challenging careers outside of medicine. Medicine is not an easy field to get into or to navigate. While fulfilling, it’s a long and challenging journey, and there are a lot of alternative career paths that may be more enticing to people and/or may have fewer barriers to entry.

Social determinants can play a part in career paths as well. There are a lot of things that we have to go against when trying to get our foot in the door in medicine. It’s multifactorial because you have to take into account things like financial and social challenges, lack of mentorship and advocacy, and that there’s a lack of people who look like you, both in your cohort and at the leadership level. I’m blessed that I was able to get to where I am.

Cox: You mentioned mentorship. How are you able to bring up the next generation of Black and Brown doctors?
Dr. Truesdale: I mentor people at all different levels ranging from high school, college, medical school, residency, and even during fellowships. If you actually google “Dr. Truesdale diversity”, you will see book chapters and articles that I have written on this. I speak at many conferences to spread the importance of mentorship in becoming a doctor.

Cox: With everything you have going on, how does Dr. Truesdale find time for himself?
Dr. Truesdale: I try to be as efficient as possible in everything I do. I also have a lifelong commitment to growing and stretching. When you are becoming a doctor it’s a stressful journey that causes you to stretch in many ways and forces you out of your comfort zone. Once you experience it, there is no returning to your “normal” dimensions. By constantly stretching, I’m also creating space for new things and experiences – including time for myself.

Cox: Earlier you mentioned the holiday season being a busy season for you. Why is that?
Dr. Truesdale: People are giving themselves one of the best gifts possible: confidence. When done well, facial plastic surgery procedures bring out people’s inner beauty. Some people save year-around to treat themselves to one of my procedures, which I don’t take lightly. During the holidays, many people have more flexibility with their schedules and time off from work. It’s also a season of giving and making positive improvements in your life and the lives of those around you. Facial plastic surgery can be a great form of self-care, and people who take care of themselves often find they are better able to give to others.

Cox: I love that you brought up self-confidence and inner beauty. People stigmatize facial plastic surgery. What are some of the misconceptions and false narratives when it comes to it?
Dr. Truesdale: I would say check out my Instagram honestly. Look at my patients’ stories. People often only see the horror stories when it comes to plastic surgery. Their social media timelines are flooded with all of the things that can go wrong, like unnatural-looking results, obvious scarring, or people who no longer look like themselves after surgery.

I tell my patients all the time that confidence comes from within, and beauty is not all about external appearances. My job is to help them align with that mindset too, so they feel beautiful both inside and out. That’s when the magic happens. I practice facial plastic surgery in a way that makes them look natural – I help make them look like the best versions of themselves. Typically, that helps people feel better about themselves as well.

Cox: Because you are so particular with this, do you tell people no sometimes?
Dr. Truesdale: I tell people “no” all the time. The thing is, this a special journey that often requires a high level of vulnerability. This dynamic helps my patients and me create unique and long-lasting relationships. I let all of my patients know that facial plastic surgery has to be done safely, and it has to be beautiful and natural looking. If I don’t think they’ll love their results, then I won’t do it. If they have body dysmorphia or other red flags, I will say no. Sometimes, during this consultation process I find other options for people beyond the procedures they initially came in for. In those cases, I educate them on what I think will be the best surgical plan uniquely for them, and why. So, I say “no” frequently because again, I want them to look natural and to love their results. Safety, beauty, and stunning, natural-looking results are what I’m all about.

Photography Credit: Eric Williams