Dr. Raghu Athré Of Athré Facial Plastics: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Doctor
An Interview With Jake Frankel
I remember when I first started my practice. I had just finished residency and then fellowship, with little to no business experience. Despite that, I decided to start my own practice. I remember how scared I felt. People were throwing around numbers — talking about how much money I would need to start — and they were talking in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. At that point, the largest sum of money I’d ever personally handled was maybe six or seven thousand dollars. It was unfathomable to me how to set up a practice, start it, and then keep it going. I remember feeling so small — like a tiny ant in this whole process. But after going through it, learning as I went, and eventually succeeding, it became one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. If I were to give my memoirs to someone else just starting out, the first thing I would say is: be fearless. Fear is your worst enemy. It stops you from taking that first step, from pushing forward, from achieving your full potential. So yes — be fearless.
As part of my series about healthcare leaders, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Raghu Athré.
Dr. Raghu Athré is one of the few cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons in Houston who is a double board-certified Facial Plastic surgeon, certified in Otolaryngology and Head/Neck Surgery. Before becoming one of the best facial cosmetic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Athré started his academic career at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering. He has always been interested in the way things work as well as in creating things that work — both functionally and aesthetically, which is why he relates plastic surgery to engineering.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! What is your “backstory”?
My entry into facial plastic surgery was somewhat by accident. I initially started my career as a chemical engineer. My original intention was to go to med school and then return back and do a PhD in biomedical engineering. However, as I continued through med school I fell in love with surgery and as I continued down the journey of surgery, I first started my residency in head neck surgery, I found that neck surgery was extremely challenging. After about two years of my residence and head neck surgery, I found that I had a knack for facial plastic surgery, and that I really loved it. I loved the challenge, and the combination of scientific thinking and aesthetic assessment smash together. So that’s how I kind of first fell into facial plastic surgery.
After residency, I went ahead and applied for a facial plastic surgery fellowship and was admitted to a fellowship in Atlanta Georgia under the guidance of Dr. William Silver. I didn’t know this at the time, but Dr. Silver was one of the four most facial plastic surgeons in the country and was essentially one of the most rhinoplasty surgeons in the country. His uncle was actually responsible for bringing modern rhinoplasty into the United States. It was simply a coincidence or luck, I can’t tell you exactly what it is. However, Dr. Silver and I hit it off and he’s actually like a second dad to me, ever since that point I have pursued the art, the science, and the challenge of facial plastic surgery without ever looking back. And it has been the best decision I’ve ever made.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Early in my career, I was operating on a woman. My chart had her husband listed as the next of kin and emergency contact. I just assumed that was the person I should call after surgery. What I did not know was that the woman was having someone else pay for the surgery and was romantically involved with the other person. I called the husband, who was shocked that his wife was having surgery at all. Let’s say it was an interesting post-operative discussion with a lot of heated tempers. I now always ask… “Who would you like me to call after surgery? Is that the same person listed on our charts?”
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I used to perform quite a bit of transgender surgery, including facial gender-affirming surgery and voice box modification procedures. Some of these patients have been incredibly interesting, and the conversations we need to have in these situations can sometimes be delicate — or even a bit awkward.
One particular patient was in the middle of her transition and came to me for a feminization rhinoplasty. On the day of surgery, we were reviewing all the consent forms, and the pregnancy disclaimer had been crossed out and marked “N/A.” The patient suddenly became aggressive and asked me what I meant by that. I started fumbling, searching for the right words, unsure of how to respond. Finally, she burst out laughing and told me she just wanted to make me squirm because I looked so tense.
That moment taught me the value of being direct, clear, and honest — but also not taking myself too seriously. I learned to laugh with my patients and build relationships that go beyond the operating room. It’s about becoming a partner and a friend as we go through these journeys together.
Now, I have every patient — even men — sign the pregnancy disclaimer. It often turns into a lighthearted moment that brings a smile or a laugh. I once had a 75-year-old woman sign it, and her response was, “I would shoot myself.”
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now?
My goal is to reduce facelift surgery recovery time to under one week. When I first started my practice, the average recovery time was around 3.5 weeks. With the local anesthesia protocols I developed — and now with the addition of Elixir MD™ — I’ve managed to bring it down to approximately 11 days. I’m back to the drawing board, working on the next idea that could help me break the sub-10-day mark for recovery.
I’m also working on two books. The first is plastic surgery-related — a technique book focused on full facial rejuvenation. The second is more personal: a life guide geared toward young adults that highlights the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Finally, I’m working on my tennis game. My goal is to compete at Wimbledon in the seniors’ section — let’s see how that goes!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Silver, who has had a profound influence on my career. The first thing he taught me was to always ask questions and to constantly pursue a better result. Even now, in his late 80s, Dr. Silver remains inquisitive — interested in the techniques I’ve developed and how they can be applied.
That spirit of curiosity and the desire to keep learning was something he truly embodied and instilled in me. He set an example early on, giving me a standard to strive for — and then taught me that the real standard is the one I set for myself. He encouraged me to keep reaching higher, to keep innovating, and to continually improve outcomes for the patient.
Dr. Silver’s emphasis on patient care, outcomes, and overall experience shaped my own philosophy, and I have him to thank for much of where I am today.
Is there a particular book that made an impact on you? Can you share a story?
When I was 13 or 14, my grandmother gave me a copy of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. The book follows a young man on his journey through life. I’ve probably read it 14 or 15 times, and I still have the original paperback she gave me. I find it to be a great recipe for life. It powerfully illustrates how our needs, wants, and the things we value shift as we move through different stages of life. I find myself returning to it whenever I face a significant challenge — whether professional or personal.
There’s a part in the book where Siddhartha, as a young man, sees a grand house and a man dressed in expensive clothes. He desires that wealth and works hard to achieve it. Eventually, he gains riches, fame, and even notoriety. But after attaining everything, he realizes he’s still the same Siddhartha beneath the fine clothes. He leaves it all behind in search of something deeper and more meaningful.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
Everyday! — Approximately 15 years ago, I met a young boy who was born with the congenital absence of his right ear. His parents brought him to my office because he was curious about what could be done. After assessing him, I asked why he wanted the surgery. His response was so simple: “I want to look like the other kids on the soccer field so they don’t make fun of me.”
His honesty was striking. It was so heartfelt and straightforward that our office donated the entire reconstructive surgery at no cost. That child taught me a very important lesson: sometimes, we’re not just repairing skin with our scalpels — we’re also helping to heal thoughts, feelings, and self-esteem. It’s an incredible responsibility and privilege to do that.
More recently, during the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, I found out that the sister of one of my colleagues in Tel Aviv wasn’t answering her phone. Phone lines were disrupted, and there was a lot of confusion. I remembered that one of my patients lived in Tel Aviv, so I asked if he wouldn’t mind doing a quick status check. Within 24 hours, my colleague was back in touch with his sister — all thanks to my patient, who took an hour out of his day to help.
The world is truly a small place when we choose to treat one another with a maximum of goodness.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story about how that was relevant to you in your own life?
“Never define success as being better than everyone else. Aim to be better than you have ever been, and success will come naturally.” I remember that quote from my grandfather — he used to say it all the time, along with other quick blurbs.
As a plastic surgeon, you’re constantly competing — whether it was in college, medical school, residency, or beyond. You’re always calculating how to be the best.
Sometimes, that competition can be exhausting, and there’s a natural tendency to look around and compare yourself to others. It’s in those moments that I’ve truly learned to look inward and focus on how I can continually improve — my craft, my skill set, and the way I approach my work.
That self-reflection has been one of the most powerful tools in my journey and continues to motivate me to “JUST BRING IT.”
Can you share your top three “lifestyle tweaks” that will help people feel great?
Most important: Sleep well. In this category, get a great mattress, go to bed at a reasonable time, and prioritize downtime. This means listening to your body and allowing yourself time to wind down before bedtime. Next, read books. NOT ON YOUR iPAD. First, iPads and other e-readers all have LED screens, so it’s good to get away from electronic devices and blue light before bed. The tactile feeling of reading a book and flipping the pages cannot be matched. I find that I understand more, retain more, and can relax better when I read a physical book.
Watch and play sports. Sports are a great metaphor for life. They involve preparation, practice, competition, and REPEAT. There is a lot to be learned from watching and playing sports. Plus, they’re great for stress relief and socialization.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why.
If I had to rank the five things — though this isn’t in any particular order — the first one would be: be fearless.
I remember when I first started my practice. I had just finished residency and then fellowship, with little to no business experience. Despite that, I decided to start my own practice. I remember how scared I felt. People were throwing around numbers — talking about how much money I would need to start — and they were talking in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. At that point, the largest sum of money I’d ever personally handled was maybe six or seven thousand dollars. It was unfathomable to me how to set up a practice, start it, and then keep it going. I remember feeling so small — like a tiny ant in this whole process. But after going through it, learning as I went, and eventually succeeding, it became one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. If I were to give my memoirs to someone else just starting out, the first thing I would say is: be fearless. Fear is your worst enemy. It stops you from taking that first step, from pushing forward, from achieving your full potential. So yes — be fearless.
The second thing I wish someone had told me: never delegate without understanding.
In plastic surgery — or really any business — there are so many small pieces involved: setting up a website, getting business insurance, organizing systems. The easy route is to delegate these tasks. But if you don’t take the time to understand what’s being done, you lose control — and you don’t learn anything. One of my earliest mistakes was hiring a website company. I paid what felt like an arm and a leg at the time. And they did absolutely nothing. But the only person I had to blame was myself. I had assumed I could just hire someone and check out. I didn’t bother to understand the basics. Since then, I’ve embraced the mindset: “The buck stops here.” Whether it’s building a website or managing office inventory, I’ve learned that at the end of the day, the responsibility falls on me. I may still delegate, but now I make it a point to understand enough to make informed decisions — and to avoid making the same mistakes.
The third thing that I wish someone had told me before I started was: never just blindly follow advice — follow research. When you get to a point where, whether it is as a surgeon or even as a business owner, there are tons of people who will give you advice. Even today, when I go to conferences, people will tell me, “Oh, you should do it this way. It’s better.” That’s advice. I never take advice at face value. I do my own research, my own independent research, and figure out what is best for me, whether it’s in my business, whether it’s in my surgical practice, whether it’s my technique, whether it’s in hiring — these various things. I remember a point where I was trying to hire a few employees, and I decided to contact one of my prior office managers who had managed a practice I worked in. She gave me tons of advice, and I think she’s an exceptional woman. I think she’s very blessed and very educated in what she does. I took down all this advice and ended up trying to hire someone based on that advice. And that really blew up in my face like Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Because the one key critical point that I hadn’t taken into account is her advice was based on her experiences, not mine.
So therefore, if I need to hire someone, I need to do the research on exactly what is necessary, what needs to be done, and who is the right candidate for the job. The same thing happens even when we do surgical procedures. Every single time I go to a surgical conference, I hear lots of advice on what needs to be done. When I was a much junior surgeon, I would really go, “Oh, wow, that’s amazing. I should be doing that.” It’s only now, as a more seasoned and more mature surgeon, that I recognize that there are many different ways to achieve a result. The right result needs to be researched. There’s also another factor in there: you have to see what works in your hands.
The fourth thing I wish someone had told me is this: always learn to be self-critical. Whether you’re in residency, fellowship, or any stage of training, people will constantly offer feedback — telling you how to do things better. But beyond external critiques, what truly drives growth is the ability to look inward and ask yourself: How can I improve?
I remember early in my career, I had performed several rhinoplasties that turned out well. I felt proud — like I could give myself a pat on the back. But then I attended a conference and saw the results of a much more senior surgeon. I remember thinking, “Wow, I really like his work.” As soon as I got home, I pulled up my own cases and began comparing my results to his. That was a turning point for me. I realized — I could do better. That realization lit a fire. I needed to raise my standards, refine my technique, and push myself in all areas. That moment taught me the value of being constructively self-critical — not to tear yourself down, but to raise yourself up. And that mindset is something I carry with me to this day. That was the first example I had of being self-critical.
I think it’s a very important skill to be able to look at yourself and figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are. Not just look at yourself and go, “Wow, I’m amazing.” That part’s the easy part. The hard part is also looking at yourself and going, “Where do I need to up my game?” And I think that is something that people don’t talk about a lot, only because it’s not “kosher” to say that out loud.
The last thing I think is important and something that no one ever told me is to prioritize self-care in what we do. If you’re a very high-energy, high-education, high-intensity individual, you tend to be congratulated for working harder, working longer hours, and these things keep you motivated to do more and more and more. It’s what I call the “golden retriever mentality.” So if, hypothetically, you’re working longer and longer hours and someone pats you on the back and says, “Oh, wow, you’re working so hard,” there’s positive reinforcement for that behavior, and you end up doing it more and more, not taking your own self-care into account.
I spoke to a patient just two or three days ago and told her about my 2025 resolutions and what I would like to achieve with respect to my own personal self-care. And she made a very simple comment. She said, “Yeah, I think it’s really important that you take care of yourself because if you’re dead, you can’t make any more pretty faces.” I really thought to myself, “Wow, she is so enlightened,” because this really is the truth. If we don’t take care of ourselves, we really can’t help anyone else. So I think sometimes it is very important and necessary to think outside of the box, outside of the golden retriever mentality where “doggy see, doggy do,” and actually prioritize yourself. You actually become a better human being: more functional, more efficient, and more productive.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could start a movement to bring the most wellness to the greatest number of people, it would be promoting healthy eating. I’ve had the luxury of living in various places around the world, and one thing I’ve noticed is that the quality of food in the United States isn’t the same as what’s available abroad. During my trips to Europe and India, I’ve found that the food quality is far superior. The vegetables taste better, and the fruits are fresher.
I believe commercialization and the push to make food overly attractive — like adding wax to apples to make them shinier — detract from the nutritional value. This is commonplace in U.S. supermarkets, and it’s a problem. Increasingly, research shows that chemicals added to food — whether it’s high-fructose corn syrup or sugar substitutes like Splenda — negatively impact overall health and quality of life.
I think sugar is fine in moderation. If you want dessert, enjoy it, but don’t overdo it. The issue arises when people rely on sugar-free substitutes to eat endless amounts of dessert, not realizing that these substitutes come with their own health consequences. This is part of a bigger issue with marketing and the misinformation surrounding many products in the U.S.
To impact the greatest number of people, I would emphasize the importance of healthy eating with an understanding that moderation is key. At the same time, we need to focus on purity in our food — unadulterated, preservative-free, and ideally organic. The challenge lies in finding such products, as the marketplace is full of altered, processed foods. This affects overall health and quality of life in the U.S.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
If I could have a private breakfast with anyone in the world, it would be H. Ross Perot. I remember him from his 1990s presidential bid, and that’s when I first learned about him. Perot, an independent candidate, made headlines during the election, and I was fascinated by his achievements. Coming from humble beginnings, he built a multi-billion-dollar corporation based on computers. He even met his sales quota for IBM in just two weeks. That’s impressive!
I actually met H. Ross Perot in person during medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern. He was a benefactor to the medical school, and I was invited to a gala honoring such benefactors. While standing in the valet line with a professor, Perot approached us, spoke to my professor, and offered to get his car for him, saying, “Son, if you give me $5, I’ll get your car for you.” I was struck by how humble, grounded, and frugal he was despite his immense wealth. That moment made a lasting impact on me.
I’d love to sit down with him to pick his brain. He was not only an amazing businessman but also a very intelligent man. His presidential campaign, where he used flowcharts and graphs to explain his vision for the country, left a deep impression on me.
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Thank you so much for these wonderful insights!
Dr Raghu Athré Of Athré Facial Plastics: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Doct was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.