The legendary Sophia Loren, internationally known as one of the world’s most beautiful women, once said, “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”
Loren remains the epitome of beauty and poise, and her message rings true, speaking to the undeniable link between a person’s self-confidence and a person’s outward appearance.
Dr. Daniel J. Leeman, medical director of NEWU Plastic Surgery in Austin, believes you achieve true beauty when you address the needs of the whole person. As a successful plastic surgeon, Leeman combines treatments such as facial rejuvenation and body contouring with a customized approach to weight loss, anti-aging, nutrition and other wellness treatments because “when you feel good about yourself, both on the inside and out, it really shows.”
As a young man, Leeman cultivated an interest in art. The paintings, drawings and sculptures which all seemed to capture Leeman’s attention helped him discover his calling. A few years later, Leeman found himself fascinated with biology and physiology classes, but recalls that some of his greatest joys were in helping others.
“At an early age, I always wanted to help other people and found a great deal of joy in doing so,” Leeman says. “Doing something good for other people and making them smile just gave me the greatest feeling.”
Leeman graduated from medical school at the University of Medicine & Dentistry in New Jersey and began to focus on otolaryngology (treatment of ear, nose and throat conditions).
However, his early interest in art never waned. When he was presented with a rare opportunity for a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the renowned Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, he knew that fate had intervened with his plans.
Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the oldest, largest and most respected hospitals in the United States. Its School of Medicine is internationally recognized as a leader in clinical research, and for its innovative approach to medical education.
“This wasn’t the type of opportunity to come along every day,” Leeman says, “and I knew God was guiding me and showing me what would be my true calling.”
Today, Leeman is double board certified (he is one of the only physicians in the Austin area with that distinction) by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. This means he brings an added level of expertise to every surgery he performs and provides the added assurance that you, as the patient, are in well-qualified hands.
Leeman is also a fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, a tremendous accomplishment for a physician of his relatively young age.
In addition to being a leader in his field, Leeman is also an active leader in the Austin medical community, having served or currently serving as chairman of the Texas Medical Association Membership Committee; as a member of the St. David’s Hospital Credentialing Committee; as chairman of the Travis County Medical Society Membership Committee; and as medical director of the Hyde Park Surgery Center.
In recognition of his leadership within the medical community and beyond, the Austin Business Journal recognized Leeman in 2006 as its 40 Under 40 winner in the Medical Healthcare category and in 2008 as Top Cosmetic Surgeon.
Upon visiting with Leeman, it is apparent that while he holds the recognitions and kudos from his peers in high regard, what is most important is the difference he can make in his patients’ lives.
Leeman prides himself on providing his patients with the highest level of quality care and service, and feels that the personal one-on-one time spent with a patient during consultation is critical to understanding the patient’s needs and desires, allowing him to achieve the best results possible.
Leeman believes what sets his practice apart from others is the use of ever-developing technologies that allow him to achieve a more natural appearance with his procedures. Among those technologies, Leeman favors the SmartLipo Triplex and Body-Jet liposuction systems.
The SmartLipo Triplex is a liposuction system, which allows patients to achieve optimal results with a gentle, laser body-sculpting technique. The Body-Jet liposuction system uses the assistance of water to help patients get rid of unwanted fat. Leeman is a national trainer for the Body-Jet liposuction system.
Both of these systems offer patients the benefits of traditional liposuction without the downtime and with significantly less discomfort.
Leeman and his team believe true beauty is only achieved through total wellness. Therefore, his approach with patients goes beyond the actual procedure and encompasses nutrition, weight loss and fitness programs.
This enables his patients to maintain the results of their procedures, but also helps them rebuild self-confidence, allowing them to see their new beauty both above and below the surface.
As a successful plastic surgeon with a booming practice, one might expect Leeman to be a brash, arrogant, even cocky person, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Firmly grounded in his faith and filled with a love for serving others, Leeman seems most at ease when talking about his family: his wife, Michele, of six years, and their five children.
While his practices (both Comprehensive ENT and NEWU) continue to grow, he trusts that his faith will continue to guide him in all he does and ensure that he will always provide the very best level of service and care for his patients, helping them discover the beauty he sees in them.
NEWU Plastic Surgery is conveniently located in Central Austin just off I-35 at 32nd Street in the Plaza St. David Professional Building at 1015 East 32 St., Ste. 205. For more information or to set an appointment, please call 512-478-NEWU (6398) or email info@NEWUplasticsurgery.com.
Along with his passion for writing, Aaron Seaman serves as director of business development for the Employee Benefits Consulting, Insurance Services and Professional Employer Services divisions of SWBC. He may be reached at aseaman@swbc.com.
