Family Affair in Plastic Surgery

Dr. Anthony Barrett has transformed his plastic surgery practice into a family affair. He’s performed procedures on a variety of family members, including his mother, wife, twin brother, stepdaughter, niece, and even gave his sister a breast augmentation.

Ms. Barrett, now 66, operates out of offices in the Upper East Side, Southampton, and her hometown of Cedar Grove, New Jersey. She mentioned that over the past two decades, she has cared for several relatives.

Dr. Barrett’s first relative was his mother, who underwent plastic surgery in 2008—she passed away seven years later. He also attended to her earlobes, which he shortened.

“My mother always believed I was destined to be a plastic surgeon. I think she envisioned my career path,” he noted.

Perhaps the most uncomfortable moment came when he performed breast surgery on his sister, Pam, who also works as his office manager. “It was the weirdest experience,” he admitted.

Pam’s confidence in her brother’s skills, especially with other repeat clients, is what led her to request the surgery. She even claimed to feel no discomfort during the procedure.

“It’s kind of like an art project. He finds beauty in everything, and if he sees a way to improve it, he’s all in,” she said.

Dr. Barrett, a Rutgers Medical School graduate, expressed that operating on family feels a bit “edgier,” yet it feels more comfortable than treating a stranger.

He also mentioned that he has always had an eye for his siblings’ appearances, frequently styling them since childhood. “When their hair gets long, I cut it,” he shared.

Interestingly, it’s unclear whether he charged his family for these surgeries.

The biggest challenge? His wife, Kelly, whom he described as very particular about her looks. “She’s attractive and wants to remain that way,” he said.

Kelly underwent surgery without anesthesia, remaining conscious during the procedure due to numbing. “I insisted he do it,” she stated.

Earlier this year, she received a facelift, brow lift, and lip lift from her husband. Surprisingly, she felt no apprehension about receiving treatment from him. “I had full confidence. I wasn’t scared at all,” she remarked, citing her attractive friends and acquaintances who had similar surgeries performed by Dr. Barrett.

Additionally, when her then 12-year-old stepdaughter broke her nose after a trampoline accident, it was Dr. Barrett who reset it.

Kelly admitted, “I was furious. She’s beautiful, and with a crooked nose, I thought, thank goodness I’m married to a plastic surgeon.”

Barrett’s twin brother, Matt, a neurosurgeon, shared his positive experience after having wrinkles removed around his eyes. “Eyes are a vital aspect of how you look. Fixing them can significantly boost your self-esteem,” he noted.

About ten years ago, Dr. Barrett also treated his brother’s daughter by removing a surgical scar and performing liposuction, and even offered Botox to help with his brother’s excessive sweating.

“Family trust is incredibly important,” Dr. Barrett commented.

However, the American Medical Association cautions against this practice. Arthur Caplan, a medical ethics professor at New York University, advised against operating on family members, saying, “It’s generally ill-advised. It clouds your objectivity.”

Yet, the Barrett twins have a differing viewpoint. “I think plastic surgery is unique. Compared to what my brother does, which is much more challenging, this is a different scenario altogether,” Matt said.