So Much Winning! Dr. Brad Bengtson Reflects on His Recent Awards Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery

Posted On: May 25, 2017

Earlier this year, top Michigan Plastic Surgeon Dr. Brad Bengtson - founder of the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery - was once again named Best Plastic Surgeon by Grand Rapids Magazine. This marked his eighth consecutive win in that category, so we decided to sit down with him and ask about his thoughts on why his name keeps appearing on so many trophies.

B: There are two honors I receive that are the most significant to me. One is the “Best Doctors in America” award, because I am voted on by physicians both nationally and in the region. The main question they use for voting is “As a physician, who would you send your wife or family member to or go to yourself?” I have had the privilege of participating in the care of hundreds of physicians or their family members in my career, and I believe this is really a special honor.  The second accolade is the “Best Plastic Surgeon in Grand Rapids” award from Grand Rapids Magazine. This is really special as well, as it is recognition from patients and others. It is a reminder of what I tell myself and our staff constantly: Your focus must always be on the patient and getting the best absolute outcome and overall experience possible - every single time!

What was it like to win the Grand Rapids Magazine award your first year? To what do you attribute that first victory?

B: This was very special because I had just transitioned out of another practice, and I wasn't even sure if my prior patients would follow me and stay with our practice. I believe it ultimately comes down to the fact that people and patients are looking for a long-term relationship - not just a procedure.  That's what our focus is: relationships.

After the second/third/fourth years, and the rest, have you come to expect this award?

B: It's quite honestly hard not to now, but our focus is really not on an award, but on providing the best service, technology, or surgical outcome for every patient. When you do that, good things come.

What has changed at your practice and with you over these seven years of wins?

B: One of the coolest things about plastic surgery is how changing and dynamic it is - you have to stay current with new techniques and technologies. The trick is there are a lot of things that simply do not work or can be harmful, so I look at myself as a filter to best evaluate new procedures and technologies and be the first to market with ones that truly work. That's part of it. The other parts are having an amazing, “best” staff to make our patients feel special and provide great outcomes; have a beautiful, inviting space that reflects the work done; and always stay focused on maximizing the patient experience.

What are your proudest accomplishments that might contribute to these ongoing wins?

B: I stay very active nationally and internationally, presenting new cutting-edge techniques I have developed or learned and continue to work on. I have some of the largest worldwide experience with certain devices and advanced techniques, particularly in the areas of breast revision surgeries and body contouring, such as tummy tucks.

How do you plan to stay “the best” into the future?

B: The only thing I can control - really any of us can control - is ourselves. A friend of mine told me one time: “Consider how hard it is to change yourself, and you'll see what little chance you have of changing someone else!” I continue to work on developing my own surgical techniques with the focus of being as efficient as possible in creating the best natural and restored outcome possible for the longest time possible, with the least complications or revisions. I also aim to continue pushing the envelope and bringing new technologies for plastic surgery in West Michigan, and provide the best possible staff that have a serving heart and can look outside themselves, all in a beautiful, sophisticated, welcoming environment where people don't want to leave.

Written by Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery