Meet Dr. Charles Wallace
Dr. Wallace is a native of the Dallas area and has been in private practice for 30 years. After graduating cum laude from Richardson High School and magna cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin, he attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School of Dallas. Dr. Wallace completed his general surgery internship in the Department of Surgery at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. He served as a general surgery resident at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, training an extra year in hand and microsurgery with the Lankford, Zehr, Dibella Group at Baylor.
Dr. Wallace completed his training in plastic and reconstructive surgery under the auspices of the prestigious Cronin, Brauer, Biggs Clinic at St. Joseph’s and M.D. Anderson Hospitals in Houston. After completing residency requirements, Dr. Wallace toured well-known plastic surgery centers in Switzerland, France, England, South Africa, Norway, and Germany to broaden his knowledge in the art of plastic surgery.
Dr. Wallace is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is also an active member of the Dallas County, Texas and American Medical Associations, Society of Baylor Surgeons, Cronin and Brauer Society, Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons and Texas Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He also has been elected to Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons.
He is active in teaching, as well as the publication of articles related to plastic surgery. As a recognized speaker, he has addressed numerous medical and lay organizations on plastic surgery issues and topics, particularly regarding the innovative laser and endoscopic cosmetic procedures.
Questions About Dr. Wallace
Q: How Long Have You Been In Practice?
A: I graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1982 and was in residency training through 1989. I have been in practice in North Dallas in the same area now since 1989.
Q: Why Did You Become A Plastic Surgeon?
A: Lots of people ask about this, and my story is probably a little bit different from most. In high school, college and medical school I always pictured myself doing orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Once I started my surgery internship, I did a rotation with the plastic surgeons and became immediately intrigued with fractures of the face and the delicate repair thereof. This, combined with my orthopedic background, which overlaps in the hand surgery done by both specialties, led to my original interest. As I learned more about the specialty, the variety of conditions treated and the requirement for creativity in finding solutions for individual patients, my interest was attracted more than to either orthopedic or heart surgery, both of which I seriously considered. After well over 15 years in private practice now, I realize I made the right decision and have never regretted it.
Q: Do You Like Your Work? Would You Make The Same Career Choice Again?
A: I don’t just like my work – I love my work. I am one of the lucky few who gets out of bed every morning and is eager to go see what is going on at the office and meet new challenges brought in by new patients. I would make the same career choice again without hesitation.
Q: What Is Your Favorite Operation?
A: That may be the toughest question that I am asked. Unlike some doctors who only like to do one or perhaps two different procedures, I am constantly stimulated by the variety of operations we do and in applying lessons learned, i.e. in trauma surgery, to refine techniques in cosmetic procedures. There are numerous examples of this throughout the history of plastic surgery, and I have found that invaluable in my day-to-day practice. If I had to isolate one or two procedures, cleft lip repairs in babies, breast augmentations, face lifts, nasal reshaping, and hand fractures are at the top of the list.
Q: What Do You Do In Your Spare Time?
A: I can usually be talked into going to either a Stars or Mavericks game, a UT football game, riding motorcycles or tinkering with cars, boats, airplanes or anything else with an engine.
Q: What Is Your Office Staff Like? Friendly And Open Or Snobby And Stuffy Like Many Doctors’ Offices?
A: A doctor’s office frequently is a reflection of what the doctor is like. If you are looking for a stuffy, snobby, Park Avenue plastic surgeon, you probably will not feel comfortable in my office. If on the other hand, you are looking for friendly people who enjoy their work, are capable and ready to answer any questions you may have, and who try to get to know our patients, you will feel right at home. Like myself, most are natives of the Dallas area and have been with me over five years. Several of my staff have been with me over 10 years.
Q: Why Should I Choose You Over Dr. X, Y Or Z?
A: Patients choose their plastic surgeons for all sorts of reasons, some good and some bad. Above all, you want to find someone certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. There are other Boards with similar sounding names that are not recognized by the A.M.A Council on Graduate Medical Education and do not have the same rigorous standards as the A.B.P.S. Beyond board certification, it is of supreme importance to find a surgeon whom you trust and are comfortable with. Likewise, it is advisable to feel comfortable and well cared for in dealing with the nurses and staff. There are many capable and competent plastic surgeons in the Dallas area and I feel I can offer care unsurpassed by anyone. A major contributing factor to that is the stable, experienced and compassionate staff that I have developed over the years. Stop by the office for a consultation and see if you don’t agree.
