Eric SwansonDr

If there were an overriding theme of Dr. Swanson’s practice it would be to question the prevailing wisdom, and subject our methods and habits to scientific scrutiny. His contributions to plastic surgery may be considered in three main categories: body, breast, and face. Subheadings would include BIA-ALCL, patient safety, prevention of blood clots, improved anesthesia, improved cosmetic breast surgery, better tummy tucks, more limited facelift scars, and an awareness of the problem of conflict of interest.

In 1998, Dr. Eric Swanson opened Kansas City’s first licensed ambulatory surgery center specializing in cosmetic surgery. In 2002, Dr. Swanson embarked on a rigorous clinical investigation of cosmetic surgery, including patient outcome studies, clinical studies, and measurements using computer-assisted imaging and MRIs. Dr. Swanson undertook an intensive investigation of liposuction and abdominoplasty, including sophisticated laboratory tests, to investigate the health effects and safety of these highly popular procedures. His work using laser fluorescence imaging challenges the limited lipoabdominoplasty technique in favor of a full tummy tuck and superior cosmetic result. This study was selected as Editor’s Pick and the Cover Article for the July 2015 issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Swanson was among the first plastic surgeons to call for a ban on textured breast implants. He appeared on NBC National News with Lester Holt in November, 2018. His widely-read article, titled “The Textured Breast Implant Crisis, A Call for Action” was published in June, 2019. On July 24, 2019, the FDA reversed an earlier decision and banned macrotextured (Biocell) breast implants because of their link with an unusual form of lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Dr. Swanson supports women who wish to have their textured implants replaced with smooth devices. He has also spoken against the widespread and frequently unnecessary practice of “en bloc capsulectomies” in women who do not have BIA-ALCL (see blog).