This week’s TDQ Q&A is with noted South Florida plastic surgeon Dr. Humberto Palladino. Dr. Palldino spoke to us about his practice, Mia Aesthetics, his hobby (magic) and how he ended up working with scores of celebrity clients. Here is this week’s TDQ Q&A with Dr. Humberto Palladino:

The Daily Quarterly: What made you want to go into medicine?

Humberto Palladino: I grew up with parents who are physicians and found it always interesting. I also enjoy helping others and making people feel better.

TDQ: What made you decide to specialize in plastic surgery?

HP: Plastic surgery is all about improving the quality of life and making you feel best with yourself. This is why I chose plastic surgery over other specialties.

TDQ: Are there any other surgeons in your family?

HP: My father is a general surgeon.

TDQ:Who are your influences?

HP: Mainly my parents.

TDQ:What is the best advice you have ever gotten?

HP: Try to follow what is easy for you and what you feel you do best, and then put your efforts in getting better at that.

TDQ: What is the worst advice you have ever gotten?

HP: Let’s be honest, life is full of bad advice. Like, “You can do anything you want!”… yeah right! Many times that motto is a great recipe for frustrations and failure. It is important to have some insight and learn who you are, what you enjoy and try to focus on doing what you enjoy and are good at.

TDQ: Tell us about your practice, Mia Aesthetics?

HP: Mia Aesthetics is set to be a premier practice with top of the line surgical services by board certified plastic surgeons at an affordable price point. Unfortunately, the area of South Florida is risky for this kind of business, specially for patients, who are mainly interested in low price points, many times risking poor outcomes and even their lives. We (Mia Aesthetics) understand this and are bringing a high level of services at the same price point of other less safe practices. This is a very new practice and there is nothing like it around, with young motivated board certified plastic surgeons who are becoming very well known and in a few years will likely be one of the main destinations for Plastic Surgery in the world. We have the advantage of enjoying a privileged location, that is very accessible to all.

TDQ: You are the MagicSurgeon…. what is your favorite magic trick to perform?

HP: I always enjoyed more sleight of hand or closeup magic, but what I really enjoy about magic is not the particular trick or performance but the reaction that this has on the public and is pretty much the same with what I do in surgery. I enjoy the transformation, but the best part is the psychological effect this has on my patients.

TDQ: You work with all sorts of A-listers performing plastic surgery. How did you find yourself gaining famous patients?

HP: At the end of the day, as a professional I always want to have the best result for every patient, no matter how famous that patient is. It is all about putting your time and effort in getting the best training you can have and delivering above average results. This, along with picking a great location and a great practice, will ensure your clientele will eventually become more exclusive.

TDQ: How has plastic surgery changed since you began your career?

HP: The beauty of plastic surgery is that it is a fast-changing field. People like me that are more entrepreneurial really enjoy this kind of field and we are able to thrive. Fat grafting and regenerative medicine are the key players at the moment, which resulted in a fast evolution of the technology and techniques to achieve better and long lasting results in plastic surgery.

Learn more about Dr. Palladino and Mia Aesthetics at their website, and check out their page.