Frank Ryan, the “Plastic Surgeon to the Stars”  who operated on Hollywood celebrities Janice Dickerson, Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed, Shauna Sand, Vince Neil, Adrianne Curry, and most recently Heidi Montag, died at the age of 50 on Monday, August 16^th.  He and his dog had just hiked the big sand dune in Malibu, CA.  Completing this hike was a long-time goal for Dr. Ryan. He was so proud of the accomplishment  he decided to share the feat with a photo of his beloved border collie, Jill, enjoying the view on Twitter with this “tweet:”

“After 25 years of driving by, I finally hiked to the top of the giant sand dune on the pch west of malibu. Much harder than it looks! Whew!”

Unfortunately, shortly after the hike Dr. Ryan’s 1995 Jeep Wrangler tipped over the side of the road on the Pacific Coast Highway.  The jeep  rolled down a rocky embankment, landing on its roof.  Dr. Ryan  sustained head and neck injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.  After sustaining serious injuries, his dog was found in the ocean and taken to a local veterinary hospital.

Dr. Ryan was well known and highly regarded for his celebrity clientele. He used much of his wealth and recognition to fund his philanthropic endeavors, which include The Frank Ryan Foundation and his beloved Boney Pony Ranch, a safe haven in Malibu for impoverished and underprivileged children.

I met Dr. Ryan in a Mandalay Bay dressing room after the Pacquiao/Marquez II fight in Las Vegas..  He was the plastic surgeon who attended to the fighters from Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions, while I was there to provide medical attention and plastic surgery to Bob Arum’s Top Rank fighters. Dr. Ryan was very helpful and loaned me a few surgical instruments  I needed. I found him to be very pleasant and accommodating.  His passing is a  great loss for the plastic surgery community and it is truly a tragedy when someone with his talent is taken so soon. My condolences go out to his family, friends, patients, and the many people he helped along the way.

Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

(702) 450-0777

www.jjrothmd.com

Pre-Fight Musings from a Post-Fight Plastic Surgeon

As many of you may know, I continue to have the honor and privilege to tend to the wounds of fighters. I do this mostly for Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing, but have also done this for mixed martial arts matches as well. While this does not make me an expert, (trust me, I don’t claim to be), it has given me an opportunity to see these men over the years from multiple perspectives. It has really been a dream come true to have the opportunity to contribute to the sport of boxing. I have been fortunate, as the fighters I have worked on have truly all been champions, some have belts to prove it, and others are working their way up the ladder. They have consistently been brave and amiable, even those who might have lost that evening. They know that this type of injury goes along with the rest of the sport. Pacquaio and Clottey, the two men who will collide in the ring this Saturday in Dallas, are excellent fighters at the top of their game. I have been fortunate to have spent time with both men.

One is Manny Pacquiao, a true champion in a record seven titles in seven weight classes. He was the first fighter I was ever called on to suture wounds. Most recently I had to drain a hematoma (blood collection), from his right ear after his fight with Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. This was done to prevent a cauliflower ear. Pacquiao’s ear healed well and it is not a concern for his training or fighting. His boxing skills continue to mature under the guidance of arguably the best trainer in the business, Freddie Roach. Pacquiao’s power continues to increase as he progresses in weight class, and it has not impacted his blinding signature speed. With his extensive study and review, Roach has added hitting from unorthodox angles to Pacquiao’s ample armamentarium. His opponent often will never see a punch coming, and then when he tries to respond with a punch in kind, Pacquiao’s agility and speed have already taken him out of harm’s way.

The other pugilist is Joshua Clottey. I have seen his career progress over the years. He has lots of power and can tolerate an enormous mount of punishment. I was called upon to repair the wound of his opponent, Zab Judah, in a spirited contest at the Palms’ Pearl Event Center a couple of years ago. Clottey’s performance against Miguel Cotto was a tremendous effort. Clottey showed ring generalship, and was often the aggressor during the fight. Many in attendance thought that he won the contest; however the 10-8 first round in Cotto’s favor proved too much to overcome. I was in the dressing rooms in the bowels of Madison Square Garden after the fight. Clottey was visibly (and vocally) upset. Someone took him aside and said, “Don’t be a sore loser. Everyone saw how you did. You’re a good fighter, and someday you will get another big shot.” How prophetic those words were, as he is about to take the stage with a boxing legend in a venue that will easily hold 45,000 fans, not to mention the millions watching around the world.

Pacquiao and Clottey are both talented fighters and good men. This is another fight where, thankfully, no “trash talking” or disparaging comments have been made from either side. They are both professionals who choose to make their statements in the ring. They know they are indebted to their fans and both men will deliver the fight of a lifetime in “The Event.” I have personally seen both Pacquiao and Clottey take time out to pose for photos and sign autographs for fans despite other pressing engagements. As people they are both considerate and amiable out of the ring. In the ring they are both uncompromising and relentless.

I hope that no one will need the services of a plastic surgeon.

Best wishes to both fighters. I can’t wait for Saturday night’s bell…

HBO To Broadcast Classic Pacquiao and Clottey Fights Where Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Roth Assisted Boxers

LAS VEGAS, NV. HBO Sports, in association with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing, will broadcast the Pacquiao vs. Cotto and Clottey vs. Judah fights in order to prepare boxing fans for “The Event,” Pacquiao vs. Clottey, on March 13 in Dallas, TX. Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Roth played an integral post-fight role in both of the previous matches.

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Roth was called on to repair Judah’s eye wound in the Clottey vs. Judah fight. This cut was significant enough to cause a 9th round stoppage and give Clottey the victory by TKO. Dr. Roth closed the wound, and later explained the treatment at the after-fight press conference:

Dr. Jeffrey Roth also was also called upon after the intense Pacquiao vs. Cotto match. Pacquiao required drainage of his ear. This was done to prevent Pacquiao from developing a “cauliflower” ear deformity. Dr. Roth later described the issue and its treatment with the international press (at 2:29 in the clip):

“It is an honor and a privilege to be called upon to treat these champion boxers,” says Roth. He adds, “The fighters have uniformly been great to work with.” If the past fights can say anything, it is that the upcoming fight should be something to see. It is the hope of all involved that after “The Event” in Dallas, Texas, no one will need the expertise of a plastic surgeon.

Miguel Cotto Sr. (57), The Father of former two-time welterweight (147 pounds) Champion Boxer Miguel Cotto Jr. has died. He had health issues including asthma, (significant enough that he needed to use oxygen from time to time).  Cotto Sr. was driving his car in Caguas, Puerto Rico, when the apparent attack occurred.  According to reports, he stopped the car, and sought help before collapsing.  It seems that he had an asthma attack that led to a cardiac arrest and subsequent death.

Mr. Cotto was very close to, and supportive of his son.  He was a large influence on his son’s career and his personal life.  I always found him to be a very nice and friendly man, even after long press junkets.  Those who knew him, and the rest of the boxing world will miss him.

Funeral plans have not been announced as of this writing.  They are expected to be in Puerto Rico.  Cotto Sr. is survived by his other son, 32-year-old welterweight contender Jose Migel Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KOs), and three grandchildren.  Our condolences go out to Mr. Cotto’s family at this very difficult time.

LAS VEGAS, NV.  Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto fought a terrific fight last Saturday, November 14^th in the sold out MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.  Both men showed tremendous boxing ability and heart.  The battle for the championship belt was not without its residual damage.  Cotto was taken to UMC hospital for precautionary scans at the insistence of the Nevada Athletic Commission Physician.  In the other locker room, the victor also showed signs of the fierce battle.

“Pacquiao sustained a hematoma, (blood collection), on his right ear”, says Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Roth.  “I was assisted by Dr. David Watson, (Emergency Medicine Physician).  We drained the blood from Manny’s ear so that it does not clot, fibrose, and turn into a misshapen, “cauliflower ear.”  A dressing was placed; Manny put on his fedora, and went to the press conference.  Routine follow up the next day showed some re-accumulation of fluid, which was drained.

“These types of injuries are common in fighters”, says Roth.  “The trauma can come at anytime; training, sparing, or at the big event.  Vessels can break and blood then leaks into the space between the cartilage and the skin.  The blood needs to be drained and once the soft tissue scars in where you want it to, it should look OK.  This type of injury should not affect his hearing, and should also not affect his ability to train or fight.”

How was Manny Pacquiao as a patient?  “He was as brave and calm during the procedure as he was brave and ferocious during the fight.  He’s a great guy.”

Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery
702-450-0777
www.jjrothmd.com

As many of you may know, I have had the honor and privilege to tend to the wounds of fighters.  I do this mostly for Bob Arum’s Top Rank boxing, but have also done this for mixed martial arts matches as well.  In Las Vegas, everyone is a fight fan, (especially growing up in the days of the phenomenal fights outdoors in Caesars Palace).  It has been a dream to have the opportunity to contribute to the sport.  I have been fortunate as the fighters I have worked on have really all been champions, some have the belts to prove it, others are working on it.  They have consistently been brave and friendly, even those who might have lost that evening.  They know that this injury is part of the sport.

The two men who will collide in the ring this Saturday are two of my favorites, both as fighters and as people.  I have been fortunate to have spent time with both men.

One is Manny Pacquiao, who was the first fighter I was called on to stitch up.  His boxing skills continue to mature under the guidance of arguably the best trainer in the business, Freddie Roach.  His power seems to increase with going up in weight class, without impacting his signature blinding speed.  This was best seen in the fight against Ricky Hatton, (another terrific fighter and person).  Roach had Pacquiao prepared.  Manny seized his opportunity and unleashed a combination with the last punch connecting with Hatton square on the jaw with tremendous force.  Hatton was out on his way down.  I seriously thought that he might be gravely injured, fortunately, that was not the case.

The other is Miguel Cotto.  His rise to the top could be predicted years earlier.  He has devastating power.  I was attending his fight and it was the first time I saw anyone be knocked out from a body punch.  This is the difference from seeing it live vs. on television.  You felt him hit the other guy.  Cotto has become a complete boxer.  His defense and movement have matured, making him an even more dangerous fighter.

They are both great fighters and good men.  There has been, thankfully and refreshingly, no “trash talking” or disparaging comments made from either side.  They are both professionals who choose to make their statements in the ring.  They know that they are indebted to their fans.  I have seen both men take time out to take photos and sign autographs for fans despite being late for an engagement.  As people they are both considerate and amiable out of the ring.  In the ring they are both devastating and unrelenting.

Everyone is expecting this to be a fight for the ages.  I agree, and I hope neither of these men will need my services.  Best wishes to both fighters.  I can’t wait for the bell…

Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery
702-450-0777
www.jjrothmd.com