Jules A. Walters, III, MD
Reconstructing Confidence
Dr. Jules A. Walters, III has wanted to be a doctor for as long as he can remember. He recalls being very interested in science in high school, which he then confirmed during college when he majored in biological sciences at Louisiana State University. During his third year of medical school at LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, Dr. Walters became interested in the field of surgery. He says he was attracted to the “breadth of procedures from head to toe” that he was able to perform.
He was selected to complete a vigorous general surgery residency program at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, where he developed a niche interest in plastic surgery and was selected for a plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Throughout his extensive training, which included rotations at Houston’s Memorial Hermann hospital and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Walters was able to perform a variety of plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures — from trauma- and cancer-related reconstruction to cosmetic surgery — learning from internationally known cosmetic and breast reconstructive surgeons, which allowed him to refine his plastic surgery skills and gave him a more aesthetic eye.
“I’m very fortunate to have had that sort of training,” Dr. Walters says. “That experience allows me to offer the best care for my patients here in New Orleans.”
Dr. Walters practices breast reconstruction at Omega Hospital Surgery Center, where he uses state-of-the-art techniques that involve using the patient’s own tissue to reconstruct the breast. “What makes that center special is its warm, relaxing environment,” he says. “A patient doesn’t feel like she is at a hospital. The whole journey, from diagnosis to reconstruction, is very patient-driven and patient-focused.”
In addition to breast reconstruction, Dr. Walters “enjoys the full spectrum of cosmetic surgery,” performing procedures like facelifts and rhinoplasty, as well as breast augmentation, tummy tucks, “mommy makeovers” and the increasingly popular Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. Dr. Walters says that he enjoys the cosmetic surgery field because of the way his procedures make his patients feel.
“Once a patient undergoes cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, it restores his or her sense of confidence,” Dr. Walters says. “To really make sure our patients get the best results, we follow them for the long term. As a result, we get a lot of return patients, because they like the way they look and feel after surgery. Together, we devise a plan to focus on any other areas that might be troubling them and create a beautiful yet natural result.”
Whether he is treating the patient for reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, Dr. Walters says the most rewarding part of his practice is watching patients see their post-operative results for the first time. “Removing the dressing and seeing their sense of relief and sense of joy, and ultimately seeing how their confidence improves is a truly great feeling,” he says.
MEDICAL SCHOOL: School of Medicine – LSU Health Shreveport; Shreveport, LA
RESIDENCY: General Surgery, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans; New Orleans, LA
FELLOWSHIP: Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Houston, TX