I try usually arrive the night before when I have to lecture at meetings. It gives me a chance to unwind. Recently, I came to Las Vegas at 5 a.m. for a talk that started at 7. If I had done a procedure, it would be something that I could, or would have done so.
Most of my trips mean actually, medical meetings, lecturing and teaching. It is important to keep up with things and to train other doctors. So no I am opposed to take time away from practice.
I do also some pro bono travels to developing countries, mostly to correct photo malformations. That is incredibly rewarding. Sometimes, I'll also squeeze in a vacation, but now I am the proud father of 3-year-old twin daughters, so these vacations are few.
Last fall I flew to Milan to teach Rhinoplasty at an international course. There were more than 700 participants from almost 60 countries. This was a great event, and I spent the entire flight tweaking and retweaking my PowerPoint presentation, watch on for what seemed to be millions of times all the time I was on the plane.
I sat next to this attractive woman. I was close enough to tell that she had had excellent plastic surgery. She noticed what I did and we began to talk. Soon I was knee-deep in a discussion about plastic surgery and youthfulness in General. Flight attendants and surrounding passengers asked to see my pictures, which included some before and after shots and some surgery, which mesmerized many of the passengers, but many of them also grossed.
When flew home from a pro bono trip to Honduras, had I my surgical instruments such as scalpels or surgical scissors in my luggage. It is not like this stuff can go into a "carry-on.
Agent of customs in Miami, opened the set of instruments and questioned me as if I was some kind of serial killer. It was really bad and although I tried to explain why I travel with scalpel and other equipment, he was not listening. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by security and their main supervisor.
I turned on my laptop, which was already out, and showed them pictures of children I had operated on. All felt bad about giving me trouble, and I was actually an escort to my gate. I am sure that will never happen again.
I sometimes feel uncomfortable telling people I am "facial plastic surgeon" on a trip as this can make some people uncomfortable and others feel the need to break down the field.
I had one other passengers tell if they "believe" in plastic surgery. I really wasn't sure what meant, and I don't go into a speech about how surgery can improve lives and how many of us are doing humanitarian work to assist victims of domestic violence or those with birth defects.
But most people are really curious. And I have no problem not answering questions, especially if I can help educate people. I get always the question: what would you do for me? I am always honest.
There is always a responsibility to answer the call for integrated medical help. I would like to help and am updated on C.P.R. and advanced cardiac life support certification.
I did once a flight attendant whose blood sugar was low. But by sheer luck, primary care doctor or an emergency medicine physician has been among the passengers on other flights when crews were asked if there is a doctor on board.
It was great, because I really better equipped, so that in case someone needs an acute nose job at 35,000 feet.
By Steven Pearlman, who said that Joan Raymond. E-mail: joan.raymond@nytimes.com
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