Changing faces

Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT BEACH -- Dr. Walter Ledergerber has his own way of staying

connected to reality.

“It could be hard in my field of expertise sometimes,” said the

54-year-old plastic surgeon with a laugh.

So occasionally, he picks a patient and performs surgery on him or her

for free. It’s his way of giving back to the community, said Ledergerber,

who has operated his practice at the European Clinic in Newport Beach for

14 years.

Several years ago, he helped a 14-year-old boy from Mexico who

suffered severe burns. Ledergerber didn’t stop with one surgery but

offered that patient follow-up surgeries and treatment for at no cost.

Mike Powell, 46, of Yorba Linda, who had several distortions on his

face from chemical burns, injuries and natural deformities, was referred

to Ledergerber three years ago.

“I was unemployed and poor then,” Powell said. “I had no self-esteem.

I was bound by fear and anxiety.”

Ledergerber has since performed about nine surgeries on Powell’s face

-- six of them under general anesthesia. That work included removing

scars from his face, correcting his eye muscles, a face lift and a brow

lift.

After three years, Ledergerber is still performing surgeries and

making adjustments on Powell, all without charging a penny.

Powell also has come far in life since he met “Dr. L,” as he calls

him. He took tax-preparation courses and is now a licensed consultant.

“I have a very good job now,” Powell said. “Dr. L. set me free.

Finally I could stop worrying about my appearance. I was free to go

places, do what I wanted to do.”

And that is exactly what plastic surgery is about, Ledergerber said.

“When I help reconstruct a face, I help reconstruct a life,” he said.

“This is not about beautification, it’s about rectification.”

People unfortunately judge a person by his or her appearance, Powell

said.

“People who don’t look good face a lot of rejection,” he said. “I know

it happens. I’ve been through it.”

Ledergerber said he has derived great satisfaction from helping

Powell.

“It’s given me great pleasure to see him succeed,” he said. “The fact

that I’m helping someone makes me feel like a true physician.”