Brent Smith

What about your experience sets you apart?

I limit my practice to the face and neck and have performed more than 10,000 facial cosmetic procedures. I have also been featured twice in People magazine and was chosen as Denver's 'Extreme Makeover' facial plastic surgeon.

What is unique about your approach?

All of my procedures are performed under local anesthesia. No general anesthesia is required.

How does your staff contribute to the care you provide?

My staff and I develop ongoing patient relationships through multiple preoperative meetings. We work hard to establish a supportive environment.

What lifestyle change could most benefit our health?

Use sunscreen and avoid smoking to preserve the skin.

What fascinates you most about the human face?

You'd think that with several billion people in the world, you'd get a great deal of patients with the same aesthetic concerns, but everyone is different.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The hugs and smiles I get from patients after surgery are very rewarding.

How would you like to be remembered?

I'd like to be remembered as a man of integrity and excellence.

How do you start each day?

I pray by name for the patients I will be seeing that day.

What is one thing you look forward to every year?

I love the educational seminar I do every October for my patients and their friends because it allows me to talk about my passion with them in a less formal setting.

1. Career-defining procedure

   My career hasn’t been defined by
   one single procedure, but rather
   the ability to combine procedures
   to achieve harmony and the most
   natural-looking results

2. Three words that best describe you

   Compassionate, humble, humorous

3. Your patient care philosophy

   I meet with each patient at the beginning of the process, starting with the consultation and staying connected until the last visit post-surgery

4. Your greatest achievements

   Performing more than 10,000 facial cosmetic procedures, being featured
   twice in People magazine and being chosen as Denver’s “Extreme Makeover” facial plastic surgeon

5. My motto

   You make a living with
   what you get, you make
   a life with what you give

6. What sets your practice apart

   We work hard to establish a supportive environment by building relationships with our patients through many preoperative meetings

7. What are you best known for?

   My compassion that comes through
   my faith, which plays a tremendous
   role in my life and in many ways,
   defines who I am as an individual
   and a surgeon. People are often
   surprised to learn that I begin each
   morning by praying for the patients
   that I will be seeing that day

8. How are you helping to advance the field at large?

   The field of facial plastic surgery
   advances when we provide patients
   with consistently natural-looking
   results and compassionate care

9. What one surgical advancement are you most excited about right now?

   Fat transfers can add youthful
   contours and extend the life of a
   facelift by offering additional
   support to the elevated muscle

10. Why do you employ a less-is-more philosophy?

    The greatest fear patients have about
    plastic surgery is looking like they’ve
    had plastic surgery. All of my patients
    want to look like themselves, only
    better. This is why I insist on meeting
    a potential patient one-on-one
    during their initial consultation to
    understand their goals and help
    to lay their fears to rest as I explain
    the procedures and expected outcome

11. The most common medical myth i’ve heard

    That people won’t recognize you. Done
    well, plastic surgery will allow you to
    look like the best version of yourself

12. Most memorable patient reaction

    Jumping out of the
    chair to give me a
    big hug

1. What is the average recovery time for fat transfer to correct under eye hallows?
   What our experts say:

   The average time for recovery from fat transfer to the lower eyes is approximately one week.  Certainly this is variable based on ones tendency to bruise.  The lower eyelid area is quite vascular, but the fat should be placed directly adjacent to the bone and this will often decrease the chance for bruising.  We recommend that patients be off aspirin and other products that can increase bleeding for two weeks prior to the procedure.
   We feel that the procedure is quite safe when done by an experienced doctor with a good understanding of the anatomy around the eyes.  The fat transfer is semi-permanent and the results can be expected to be long lasting.

2. About Juvederm Filler
   What our experts say:

   With regards to the question about the Juvederm:  The depression in the left check is probably an illusion because  of the filler placed nearby.  There would be no way for Juvederm to cause a loss of volume unless the area became infected after the injection.  Additional Juvederm to the area that appears depressed would likely be helpful.  As the Juvederm is resorbed, the check will go back to its pre-injection status.  This will occur over a 9-12 month period.

3. Are nurse practioners as qualified for laser treatment as MD
   What our experts say:

   My recommendation regarding a nurse practitioner doing lasers is that I would use a nurse practitioner that has an MD on site and try to talk to other patients would have had a similar treatment to that which you desire.

4. Does it makes sense to travel to a less expensive location for a face lift? I wonder about follow up care etc. I live in Hawaii where things are very expensive! Thank you.
   What our experts say:

   Travel to a less expensive place for surgery is fraught with potential problems.  If there is a problem, who would take care of you. I would try to find a qualified surgeon in your area and develop a relationship there.  Regarding the type of facelift that is needed, a detailed consultation with the surgeon is paramount.  I would avoid the franchise lifts where you only meet with a sales consultant and meet the doctor only after payment is made.  This is your face and you can't cover bad work with a blouse or slacks.

5. Does a chemical peel reduce wrinkles?
   What our experts say:

   While chemical peels can be effective for removal of wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, I feel that laser treatments are more predictable and offer the chance for the best results.