Plastic Surgery Nurses Symposium

This symposium is an annual event convened by Karen Baker, the Institute Coordinator at the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery and organised by the Institute and Obex Medical.

This year, the 6th, was held at the Novotel Hotel in Ellerslie and was attended by a record 200 plastic surgery nurse delegates from all around New Zealand. Speakers who included medical professionals, nurses and a motivational expert covered a variety of plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive topics.

Karen Coubray, a staff member of the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery presented a paper on micropigmentation (tattooing) of the nipple areola following breast reconstruction. This is the final stage of breast reconstruction and finishes the process of turning a reconstructed breast into a natural looking breast.

Two of our surgeons, Mr Glenn Bartlett and Mr Stephen Gilbert spoke. Glenn Bartlett, who is also a consultant at Middlemore Hospital gave two presentations, one on craniofacial surgery and the second on aesthetic eyelid surgery. Stephen Gilbert spoke on the changes in face lifting surgery over time.

Something new this year was the “Medical Trash to Something Flash” competition, nurses competed to turn the waste generated by their practices into something spectacular. “Fern”, the glamorous creation of the staff of the New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery won first prize. All of the entries were stunning and symposium attendees look forward to another challenge next year.