Dr. David Shafer is a Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in New York City.
Dr. Shafer is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery, a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Shafer’s Education and Training
Dr. Shafer’s surgical training began at the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix, Arizona. His research in wound healing and surgical techniques earned international attention and contributed to the scientific literature and his refined approach to patient healing today. Working with burn patients with complex wounds, Dr. Shafer perfected high-tech reconstructive techniques such as tissue engineering and tissue grafting, which translate in a positive way to modern aesthetic surgery. As a graduating Chief Resident, Dr. Shafer was honored with all three possible awards including “Intern of the Year,” “Rick Weimar Ambassador of Medical Ethics,” and the “Harry W. Hale Jr. Surgery Award for Outstanding Surgeon.”
Dr. Shafer continued his training in plastic surgery at Mayo Clinic, which is consistently ranked as best in class for hospitals and surgical training. The international draw of this world-renowned medical center introduced Dr. Shafer to patients from the Middle East to South America to Asia. Dr. Shafer has travelled to Hanoi, Vietnam to participate in the Global Health Organization’s project to repair cleft lips and palates. Dr. Shafer’s office features many photographs of children he treated in Vietnam with their delighted parents.
After Mayo Clinic, Dr. Shafer was selected as an Aesthetic Surgery Fellow at the Manhattan Ear, Eye & Throat Hospital in New York City. This fellowship is recognized as one of the most prestigious fellowships in aesthetic plastic surgery worldwide. Most plastic surgeons do not pursue specialized fellowship training. However, Dr. Shafer continued honing his surgical skills and knowledge rather than going directly into practice in order to achieve the best, most advanced training possible for cosmetic surgery. His traditional surgical training at Mayo Clinic compliments the energy and innovation only found in New York City.
Dr. Shafer’s Role as an Expert and Educator
The road from the Arizona Burn Center to The Mayo Clinic to Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital has given Dr. Shafer a solid foundation in plastic surgery. In addition to teaching plastic surgery residents from New York University, Columbia University, Cornell and Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Shafer remains academically active. In recent years, Dr. Shafer has written peer-reviewed articles and chapters on facelift techniques, BOTOX Cosmetic®, Dysport™ and anesthesia for plastic surgery. Additionally, he has produced DVDs on BOTOX® Cosmetic® injections to teach other surgeons fundamental skills and new developments. Dr. Shafer traveled with Allergan Facial Aesthetics to help introduce BOTOX Vista® to Japan, teaching over 200 nurses and doctors injection techniques throughout the country. Select countries have also invited Dr. Shafer as a guest surgeon to perform surgeries on their dignitaries.
Establishing Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue
Dr. Shafer established Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with a goal of breaking down the traditional doctor-patient barrier to create an environment where patients feel comfortable and relaxed. This approach allows patients to openly share their face, breast or body concerns so they can achieve their best outcomes. Dr. Shafer’s approach to patient care is also very unique and ensures he maintains a very hands-on presence from the earliest consult to post-operative recovery and follow-up.
Providing Care for International Patients
Dr. Shafer’s practice is approximately 50% international patients with a Fly-In-Program that hosts and cares for patients from around the globe. Dr. Shafer utilizes virtual online consultations for consultations and post procedure follow-ups.
Providing Expert Medical Care in the Modern World
Dr. Shafer has described today’s plastic surgery patients as “sophisticated, inquisitive and information seeking.” He created the first plastic surgery iPhone App when the iPhone was first launched. Dr. Shafer is a modern generation surgeon and an innovator. He stays on the cutting edge of technological and surgical developments to offer his patients the best possible recommendations, treatments, experience and outcomes.
Please make sure you are scheduling your appointment with the real Dr. David Shafer. There are many alternative spellings to the name SHAFER which can be confusing such as Dr. Shaffer, Dr. Schaffer, Dr. Schaffner, Dr. Schaftner, Dr. Schaffer, Dr. Shafner, Dr. Shafaefer, Dr. Schaeffer & Dr. Schafer.
The New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc was founded in 2008 on the guiding principle that New York’s plastic surgeons deserve an entity focused solely on representing its members’ interests at the state legislative and regulatory levels.
Dr. Shafer performing cleft lip repair in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Dr. Shafer combines his traditional training from the Mayo Clinic with the energy and innovation of New York City.
Qualifications
- Undergrad: University of Michigan, with highest honors, Ann Arbor, MI
- Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI
- General Surgery Residency: Maricopa Medical Center & Arizona Burn Center, Phoenix, AZ
- Plastic Surgery Residency: The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship, MEETH Manhattan Eye Ear & Throat Hospital
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Double Board Certified:
- Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery 2005
- Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery 2007