User:Collinanjali/DavidMcDonaldBowers

David McDonald Bowers,M.D., F.A.C.S. is currently working at North Carolina Plastic Surgery Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was born November 13, 1953 in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Early Life
Son of Bill and Dorothy Bowers, and brother of Robyn Earthman, Dr. Bowers grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina.

American History of Plastic Surgery
Although reconstructive surgery dates back to 2000 BC in India,the American medical community first embraced plastic surgery in the 19th century. Dr John Peter Mettauer performed the first American plastic surgery in 1827 with instruments that he designed himself. Around the time of World War I, people realized the importance of appearance in relation to success. This was after many World War I veterans were maimed by the horrendous weapons of that time, and cosmetic surgery became commonplace to help make the ghastly wounds of war less grotesque. In 1931 a group of doctors formed the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS). This institution promoted the history and recognition of plastic surgery and created the first qualifying exam for plastic surgeons. In the years that followed multiple other organizations promoting the future of American plastic surgeons sprung up. Plastic surgery as we know it today began in the 1960’s and 70’s, a plastic surgeon was even awarded a Nobel Prize. The last few decades have brought about and enormous growth in awareness and treatment in the cosmetic surgery field, and there is no telling what the future holds (History of Plastic Surgery).

Dangers of Plastic Surgery
Bleeding- complications can occur after surgeries. Blood clotting can result in hematoma, a buildup of blood under the skin.

Scarring- most common risks if getting plastic surgery

Necrosis- tissue death due to a lack of oxygen, most common in smokers

Nerve Damage- numbness and tingling sensation

Reactions to Anesthesia- risks depend on person’s health factors and seriousness of surgery

Education
Knowing many physicians as a child and with the influence of his father, David M. Bowers decided on becoming a doctor. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree and Honors in English from Wake Forest University in 1976. He was also accepted into medical school during his sophomore year as an undergraduate and completed his undergraduate degree earning Phi Beta Kappa honors. He attended Wake Forest Medical School in Winston-Salem, N.C. graduating in 1980. His particular interests include ultrasound-assisted liposuction, tumescent liposuction, body contouring, and facial cosmetic surgery.

Personal Life
Dr. Bowers married Donna on July 22, 1989. They have two daughters, Alisha Bowers and Brooklyn Bowers. They reside in Greensboro, North Carolina. Receiving his piolets lisence in 1985, Dr. Bowers enjoys flying his airplane as well as mountain biking (Bowers).

Career
From 1980 to 1985 at the Jacksonville Health Education Program of the University of Florida Dr. Bowers was trained in general surgery.

From 1985-1991 he served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Hospital Services at Griffiss Air Force Base Hospital in New York. Leaving New York in 1987, he pursued his plastic surgery training at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. This training was broad based and included a Hand Fellowship through Louisville, Kentucky, a large variety of reconstructive procedures, and a vast experience in cosmetic surgery.

He completed his military service by serving as the chief of Plastic Surgery at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California. He was responsible for the plastic surgery training of surgical residents and directed a large, multidisciplinary Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic for the Western United States and Pacific basin.

Dr. Bowers came to North Carolina Plastic Surgery Center in 1992.

He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

From 1998-1999 Dr. Bowers worked as the doctor for the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Team.

He is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Southeastern Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

He has lectured on various topics on plastic surgery, such as bioengineered skin in Atlanta, New Orleans, Denver, Charlotte, and Wilmington.

Dr. Bowers also wrote a journal in September 2008 “Fistula Repair Following Antethoracic Esophageal Reconstruction Using a Radial Forearm Free Flap”