Dr. Diana Ponsky, Facial Plastic Surgeon – My Girl Crush

Dr. Diana Ponsky – Such a Girl Crush!

If you follow me on Instagram you’ve possibly noticed, in my stories, I’ve been taking you guys behind the scenes at my appointments with Dr. Diana Ponsky, Facial Plastic Surgeon. No, I’m not having surgery, at least not yet. But never say never. I’m not against it, and I’m not for it. I’m pro you feeling like the best version of yourself. The choice has to be yours, and yours alone. And if botox, fillers or surgery can help you achieve that (and it’s healthy and fiscally responsible for you to partake – I say go for it). And if it’s not your thing, then don’t.

But what I’ve found is that there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the whole subject. Maybe even a stigma. And I hate that. So I want to open up the conversation, and take a peek behind the curtain.

Luckily my friend, client and personal doctor, Diana Ponsky, MD, FACS, has agreed to join me in an ongoing series about all things Facial Rejuvenation. Monthly we are going to sit down and have a chat (on Instagram – so be sure to follow us both there – The Wardrobe Consultant and Dr Diana Ponsky) where questions will be answered (in plain, everyday, understandable layman’s terms) and pros and cons discussed. We will even cover pricing and pain and recovery times. I’ll take you along as Diana assess the best path for me and my face. And as she  performs some of my procedures too.

Olive Oil and Creams can Only do So Much

Ok, let’s get real… I love and adore JLo, however, I’m actually kind of perturbed that she claims she’s NEVER had ANYTHING done. I’m sorry, but she does not look that way from just using olive oil on her skin! I call BS on that. BIG TIME!

Dr. Diana Ponsky Tells it Like it Is

Dr. Diana Ponsky and I have had some frank discussions about celebs ( both those that look subtly refreshed and those that look like a plastic, overdone caricature.) For example Diana suggested adding a smidge of filler to a part of my face. My first reaction was NO WAY! I want to look slimmer, not puffier. But as she explained, one of the reasons a well known female, at 80 years old, looks so vibrant is because she has fullness in that region.  Diana was able to help me visualize and understand it and then  I was like “sign me up!” BTW, when I tried to explain The who and why, I suck. So, I’m asking Diana to do a quick video explanation – basically how she explained it to me. Look on my IG story, Wednesday (or it will be saved under the Dr. Diana Ponsky highlight.)

So Girl Crush Worthy

Anyway that story is just one of the many reasons, I have a big, old girl crush on Diana. She’s warm and sweet. Crazy smart and talented yet very humble. She cares deeply for her patients and about her profession. And, especially, when we are talking about something like plastic surgery, she has an incredible eye and the ability to make subtle tweaks that have a great impact.

Dr. Diana Ponsky, MD FACS

ABOUT ME: The facts and boring stuff…

Dr. Diana Chuong Ponsky is a distinguished Facial Plastic Surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is one of a small number of surgeons to attain double board certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. She received her B.A. from New York University College of Arts and Sciences in New York City, New York in 1995 on a full scholarship.  And then went on to complete her Doctor of Medicine degree from Georgetown University in 2000.  From 2000 through 2005 she was completing her residency training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. where she received the distinguished Roy Sessions Exemplary Chief Resident award (best resident) in 2005.  She then joined the staff at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from 2005 to 2007.

She developed a strong interest in plastic surgery of the face, head, and neck, and specifically in nasal reconstructive surgery.  Following this interest, she completed a year of specialized fellowship training in facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, with Dr. Bahman Guyuron who is one of the international masters in rhinoplasty.

Two takeaways: I was really smart when I was younger, and being double board-certified means a lot more training and years of study

After completion of her fellowship in 2008, Dr. Ponsky was asked to join the Departments of Plastic Surgery as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at CWRU- University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.  She currently enjoys teaching both plastic surgery and otolaryngology residents at Case Medical Center as a Clinical Assistant Professor.   Dr. Ponsky has presented at national meetings on facial aesthetics and has a number of peer-reviewed medical publications in major journals on rhinoplasty and facial aesthetic surgeries and procedures.   She has a special interest in rhinoplasty, both functional and aesthetic.  She has been featured in multiple magazines, including Redbook and Allure, as well as on news channels, including recently on WKYC.

Take away: I have lectured to both laypersons as well as to professionally mature audiences in my field both in invited medical lectures as well as on television, and been quoted in magazines

Dr. Ponsky has won many awards and recognition, including a Teaching award of the year, as well as for multiple years, the Castle-Connolly award, and Top Doctors in Cleveland Magazine!

Personal philosophy:

Dr. Ponsky believes that beauty is a choice, and everyone benefits by enhancing or showing their best beauty.  Life is too short, and we owe it to ourselves to look and feel our very best.  It’s the same reason we like to dress our best, it brings out self confidence and allows our best selves to shine,

As a mom of 3 girls, she believes that we need to make the world a more progressive and positive place for our children.  This includes giving back to the world, and always being kind.  Dr. Ponsky has volunteered her plastic surgery services to FACES-to-FACES, a non-profit agency which provides pro-bono surgery to domestic abuse victims.  She has herself started a non-profit to help with this.  She has traveled with OperationSmile to provide care to kids with cleft lips and palates in Siberia, as well as volunteered with Medworks and Medwish in Cleveland, Ohio.

My Style:

I find that my laid back “I can handle it” personality (mom of 3 kids) has helped me professionally. I listen very well.  My patients respond to me, possibly because as a female I can relate more to how my female patients feel.  And for good or bad, I am a perfectionist, so I guide my patients through their best surgical journey. One of the things that sets me apart, I’m told, is that I schedule more follow up visits than others doctors.Because I want to see how my patients are progressing all along the way. It’s a journey, and we’re on it together.

Dr. Diana Ponsky’s FAVORITE THINGS:

Veronica Beard Blazers

They put the finishing touch on my outfit, have pockets for my phone, a label to hang my hospital name tag on, and overall just make me feel glamorous, especially when paired with high heels, etc.  I actually love all their pieces- they fit well for petite people like me.  Also now I can have a zippered sweat shirt under it, and it looks “cool”. (Hallie’s notes – the zippered sweatshirt is Veronica Beards signature dickey – it zips in and out of their blazers to change up the looks without all the bulk. AND they’re great for travel – bring 1 blazer and 2 dickey’s and you have outfits for days!)

My SUNDAY NEW YORK TIMES

I am not a crosswords girl (I do not have the vocabulary, although I did win my districts 6th grade spelling bee) nor the patience for it! But I do LOVE starting my Sunday off with a good long read over a cup of coffee, along with looking at the section on books as well as the STYLE insert of the NYTimes.

Dansko Clogs

I have 2 pairs, and my favorite one is burgundy color, and has little strap over it that reminds me of the shoes I had as a little girl with straps over ballet flats.  They may not necessarily be the most stylish, but they’re incredibly comfortable and supportive for the days when I’m on my feet for hours.  Function over fashion for these long days!  Since Covid,  I’m wearing my fashion scrubs all day long, so the Dansko pair well with my FIGS scrubs!

Molton Brown Diffusers

They help me feel relaxed, and gives a pleasant scent to the house.  Also, during the holidays, I like the smell of eucalyptus, pine trees, cinnamon and maple. Not necessarily all at the same time!

FIRES, wood burning fires!

Perhaps it reminds me of the new family traditions my husband and I have started for our children. Such as camping, and fires at home on snowy days when we would ideally play board games or watch family movies (or more likely be on our devices).  Either way we were all together in one common space, and can feel comfort in each other’s presence.

Ok, I’m feeling like you’re getting the picture about why I’m so into and trust my face to this wonder woman! Be sure to drop a question in the comments for me to ask Dr. Diana Ponsky.

And if you decide to goto her office, be sure to say you saw this post (she’s taking extra good care of my readers!!)

Girl Crush Suggestions

I’ve done girl crush posts on some truly amazing women –Sharon Tal, Kalyn Johnson Chandler, Jackie Watcher and Allison Seltzer to name a few.They’re some of my favorite posts to write because I get to meet and learn about truly accomplished women. If there’s someone you think could make a great crush – maybe someone you have a girl crush on yourself, please let me know! Thanks gang!!