When I started my journey as a plastic/ reconstructive surgery resident in Germany in 1992, I worked hard to learn as much as possible about this vast field of surgery. My goal was to be the best in everything this fantastic specialization has to offer. Over the many years of learning, practice and mastering the skills required, I started to realize that it is impossible to be the best in everything within any profession.

I had to accept that in order to give my patients the level of service they deserve, I had to consciously limit myself to fewer topics and master them to the highest levels. I call this super specialization. In my case the 2 areas I have accomplished the most is surgery of the face and breast, both aesthetic and reconstructive (admittedly for the last 15 years much more focus on the aesthetic part). Naturally I started to lecture and talk about these two fields more and more not mentioning the many other surgeries I was doing on a daily basis, very successfully. The initial fear of loosing out by not mentioning everything you are capable of performing, was unwarranted. Patients naturally assumed, that if you are the leading surgeon for face and breast in your area, you will also be very good in other surgeries.

I have to conclude, that to super specialize oneself is an advisable move which will in the long run profit both, patients and physicians.