Paul M. Steinwald, MD
Chicago-Area Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Paul M. Steinwald grew up in Lake Forest, and was eager to return home, after 16 years of education and training at some of the finest institutions in the country, to realize his long-term goal of joining his father in plastic surgery practice. He chose to focus on the surgical specialties early in his professional development, believing that "very few careers outside of surgery allow one to use one's head, hands and heart in such equal measure". He ultimately gravitated towards a career in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, drawn to the field's basis in anatomy, challenging variety and reward for attention to detail, all of which play to his interests and strengths.
"California-trained, Illinois-raised . . . "
After graduating with honors from Dartmouth College and attending Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, he underwent full training in general surgery at the George Washington University Medical Center, including a year of surgical research. He then engaged in plastic surgery training at one of the leading medical centers and teaching institutions in the nation, The University of California at San Francisco. He trained under the late chairman Stephen J. Mathes, MD, who remains internationally recognized for his pioneering work and publications in reconstructive surgery. Dr. Steinwald also worked intimately with several leading aesthetic surgeons in the San Francisco Bay Area, from whom he learned many of their most specialized and innovative techniques (which yet further sets Dr. Steinwald apart from his largely locally-trained peers . . . ) Finally, he closely observed, operated with, and learned from his father in the more than five years they were in practice together (effectively a five-year apprenticeship), which further honed his skills.
With regard to Dr. Steinwald's personal style, he has an affable, compassionate and reassuring "bedside manner". His core midwestern values are complemented by the fact that he has had lived and trained in many different parts of the country, which enables him to effectively interact and connect with people of virtually all personalities and backgrounds (as evidenced by the fact that he has been served on numerous committees and/or has been elected to leadership positions throughout his formative years). His goal upon meeting prospective patients is to have a forthright, honest discussion about the proposed procedure(s), and make them as comfortable as possible during both the pre- and post-operative periods, while delivering an experience and results that exceed their expectations.
Areas of Specialization and Special Interest
Dr. Steinwald's area of specialization is in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction utilizing the patient's own tissues (autogenous tissue reconstruction), as well as breast enhancement in general via implantation, lifting or reduction techniques. He is also an expert in abdominoplasty and trunk recontouring techniques (utilizing standard or ultrasound-assisted liposuction), and has incorporated into his approach to facial rejuvenation many specialized techniques, personally taught to him by several national experts during his time in California. Dr. Steinwald practices principally at Lake Forest Hospital, but also has operating privileges at the Health South Surgical Center in Vernon Hills, Illinois. He also recently attained privileges to operate downtown at one of Chicago's most desirable outpatient surgical centers, The 900 North Michigan Surgical Center (at the Bloomingdale's Building).
High School Education - Lake Forest High School; Lake Forest, IL
Undergraduate Education - Dartmouth College; Hanover, NH
Medical School - Tulane University School of Medicine; New Orleans, LA
Surgery Residency Training – George Washington University Medical Center; Washington, DC
Plastic Surgery Fellowship Training – University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA
Double Board-Certified*; The American Board of Surgery (1999) and The American Board of Plastic Surgery (2001)
Professional Memberships* - The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2002)
Publications:
“Management of the Complex Abdominal Wall Wound”, Chapter 5, Steinwald PM and Mathes SJ; Advances in Surgery, Vol. 35, J.L Cameron ed., Mosby, Inc., 2001.
“Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: A Comparison of Flap and Mesh Closure”, Mathes SJ, Steinwald PM, Foster RD, Hoffman WY, Anthony JP; Annals of Surgery, 232:586-596, 2000.
Presentations:
"Plastic Surgery Through Your Decades", Lake Forest Hospital evening lecture, March 2008.
"FTM (Female-to-Male) Chest Recontouring", FORGE Presentation, Milwaukee WI - January, 2008.
"Mommy Makeovers (and Grandmas too!)", Lake Forest Hospital evening lecture - April, 2007.
"FTM (Female-to-Male) Chest Recontouring", FORGE Forward Conference, Milwaukee WI - April, 2007.
"Mommy Makeovers", Chicago Health and Beauty Expo, Schaumburg, IL - March 2007.
"FTM (Female-to-Male) Chest Recontouring", UCSF Alumni Reunion/Scientific Program, San Francisco, CA - February 2006.
"Plastic Surgery of the Breast", Lake Forest Hospital Mini-Medical School - November 2003
"Breast Reduction via the Inferior Pedicle Technique", UCSF Plastic Surgery Alumni Reunion/Scientific Program, San Francisco, CA - June 2003
"TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction", Lake Forest Hospital Nursing Staff - October 2001
"Abdominal Wall Reconstruction", UCSF Plastic Surgery Alumni Reunion/Scientific Program, San Francisco, CA - June 2001
Recent Meetings/Symposia Attended:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting:
Baltimore, MD - October 2007
San Francisco, CA - October 2006
Chicago, IL - September 2005
Philadelphia, PA - October 2004
San Diego, CA - October 2003 (served as Business Mtg. Teller)
San Antonio, TX - November 2002
Orlando, FL - October 2001
Los Angeles, CA - October 2000
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons - New Orleans, May 2005
Dallas Rhinoplasty Lab/Course - March 2003
Atlanta Breast and Body Contouring Symposium - January 2002
Personal Interests – Music, golf, photography, travel and Internet Scrabble (warning: highly addictive!), as seen in The Onion.
*Dr. Steinwald is board-certified by both The American Board of Plastic Surgery, (which indicates that he has met the highest level of credentialing in plastic surgery) as well as the The American Board of Surgery, and is a member in good standing of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which holds plastic surgeons to the most stringent ethical and professional standards.
