Doc Talk: Laurel or Yanny?
by Bahram Ghaderi, MD
I am sure most of you have heard the recent “Do you hear Laurel or Yanny?” or remember the “Do you see a white and gold dress or a blue and black dress?” Both of these scenarios separate us along distinct lines and are fun examples of how we hear or see things differently. Communication is at the heart of what we do every day. If two people tell you the same thing, you may like what one says over the other just because the pitch of their voice is more pleasing to your ear. You may see more eye to eye with someone who communicates as you do as opposed to someone with the same idea or message but delivered differently.
This couldn’t be truer when you’re trying to convey what you want in a medical setting. Sometimes you feel that instant connection with your surgeon and find comfort in knowing that they understand you. It is instantly reassuring. Confidence in your surgeon is of utmost importance in taking a surgical journey.
Over the course of my surgical career, one area that I am continually learning and growing in is communication. I have found that some of my explanations don’t go over as well with some patients, but the same message given and delivered the same way to others is well received. Sometimes being to the point is taken as a sign of knowledge and confidence in my diagnosis and surgical plan. Other times it’s taken as a sign of being hurried or pompous. Trying to discern which patient requires time and which would rather get to the point has been challenging and definitely a learning process. Only if patients walked in saying “I hear Laurel,” or “I see white and gold,” but that would be too easy. I have learned to take cues and see if I can understand how each patient hears and views information through their ears and eyes.
Being in a medical setting can be confusing and overwhelming. Studies show that patients immediately forget 40-80 percent of the medical information they receive, and almost half of what they remember is incorrect. I apologize in advance if something I say or explain is not connecting. Your time with me is important to both of us, so please stop me, and let me know if I need to reiterate information or convey it differently. It could merely be a case of me saying Yanny and you hearing Laurel. In the end, we are both saying and hearing the same thing.
Hope this was understandable. Please let me know what colors you see in this dress or what you hear in the name. I see blue and black and hear Yanny. As always, comments are always welcome at dr*******@*********************ry.com. Enjoy your summer!
Website Update
Not only did our office get a facelift, but our website had some work done as well! Visit our new and improved website to learn more about Dr. Ghaderi, procedures that are offered, and our before & after photo gallery. You can also request a consultation or ask any question through our contact form on the site. Visit our website at www.stcharlesplasticsurgery.com.
Office Facelift Progression
Our bodies transform over the years as it ages. Sometimes we need some help with aging to stay young and fresh looking, and that’s where Dr. Ghaderi comes in. Our office has gone through that same progression with age. Now Dr. Ghaderi is excellent with a scalpel and skin, but not too good with a hammer and nail, so we needed some help from an interior designer and painter throughout the years. This year St. Charles Plastic Surgery revamped our total look from warm and traditional to more sleek and modern. Here is our office “post op” looks after every “facelift” it had. Here are our post-op looks after every facelift it had.
Livingwell Cancer Resource Center’s 13th Annual Bridge Walk
On May 19, 2018, LivingWell Cancer Resource Center hosted their annual Bridge Walk at the Kane County Forest Preserve in Geneva. LivingWell Cancer Resource Center is a local gathering place providing comfort for anyone that is experiencing the effects of cancer. We are humbled by the support and fundraising efforts of so many that made St. Charles Plastic Surgery one of the top teams at the walk. We raised a total of $8,535 and had a total of 47 team members. Thank you for joining us in the mission to support the fighters, admire the survivors, honor the taken, and never ever giving up hope! We really appreciate it and look forward to seeing all of you again next year!