Dr. David Caminer was born in 1959 in Johannesburg, South Africa during the apartheid era. He is the younger of two brothers, and became the first and only medical professional in the family.
His inspiration to be a surgeon came from his love for making things.
“My father was a furniture maker and an engineer. As boys we used to go to the factory during school holidays. I used to love making things with my hands and fixing things that were broken – I was always very good with my hands. I knew I wanted to be a surgeon but I didn’t know what specialty to focus on.”
“I went to medical school in Johannesburg, which at the time, was rated in the top 10 in the world. I completed my degree in 1982 thereafter doing my internship at the renowned Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. My internship covered a surgical term, a medical term and obstetrics and gynaecology.” explained Dr. David Caminer.
Dr. David Caminer managed to gain a spot as a Senior House Officer in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Johannesburg General and Hillbrow Hospitals for 6 months. It was at that time that he was due to complete his compulsory National Service. Caminer decided that he didn’t want to do this so he left South Africa and managed to obtain permanent residency in Australia.
“Within three weeks of arriving in Australia I secured a surgical resident position for one year at the Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania. I had to sit for the AMEC exam, to enable me to work in mainland Australia.” Says Dr. David Caminer.
Following this Dr. Caminer was employed as a Surgical Registrar at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and worked in numerous specialties including intensive care, orthopedics, melanoma, liver transplant, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery. He was chosen as the Microsurgery fellow at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney for one year in 1990 later securing a position on the Plastic Surgery training scheme in 1991.
He fully completed his training in Plastic Surgery by 1993.
“After my fellowship exams I sat the American Exam (USMLE), passed and obtained a fellowship position at the Cleveland Clinic in Fort Lauderdale and Cleveland. I remained in America until 1995 when I took up a VMO position at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.”
“I was Chairman of the Dept. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from 1999 to 2006. I stepped down as a VMO and became an HMO at St Vincent’s in 2008 and remain so to date.”
“I was made Secretary of the NSW Chapter of Plastic Surgeons in 1997 and the Secretary of ASAPS for two years from 2010-2012.” Explains Dr. Caminer.
Now Dr. Caminer focuses on his private practices in Potts Point, Sydney and Wollongong.
“My scope of practice is still broad because I like variety. I do around eighty percent cosmetic surgery, be it face, eyes, nose, neck, breasts, abdomen and lipo. I still enjoy and do microsurgery, skin cancer excision and reconstruction, genital surgery, breast cancer reconstruction etc.” Says Dr. Caminer.
In his spare time Dr. Caminer runs and cycles to keep fit and most days you will find him up at five in the morning exercising.
“I also enjoy snow skiing and bush walking. I love art, interior design and used to be a keen potter and photographer. I also enjoy cooking and travelling.”
Through Dr. David Caminer’s lengthy and exciting career he explains that there are a number of highlights that add up his defining moments. One of which was as a forth year medical student where he was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with one of Johannesburg’s top Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons; Lawrence Chait and from that moment on he became totally hooked.
“In addition to being an excellent surgeon, Chait was an artist and he had such dexterity and ease with his hands even when working under the microscope.”
“Another highlight would have to be that I performed the world first total tracheal reconstruction. Because this procedure had never been previously executed by anyone I had the opportunity to plan this ground breaking surgery, performing the operation and most importantly the patient surviving the difficult procedure post operatively.” Explains Dr. Caminer.
Dr. Caminer is considered to be a well-known and highly respected surgeon who also specializes in labiaplasty. Having performed the procedure successfully for a number of years, Dr. Caminer explains that anyone who is looking to undergo a labiaplasty procedure should look for a well-trained plastic surgeon that has experience in this procedure. Your selected surgeon should explain exactly how they plan to perform the operation and why. The plastic surgeon should offer you a realistic idea of what to expect post operatively and in the long term.
Dr. Caminer reminds us that when considering any plastic surgery procedure, one must always have realistic expectations. He also reminds us that it is an important part of the role as the plastic surgeon, to give the patient realistic expectations and advice on how to achieve the best outcome.
“Choose a surgeon who has good training and is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, not a cosmetic surgeon who has had no formal plastic surgery training. Choose a surgeon who you trust and who you think has your best interest at heart.” Dr. Caminer explains.
Dr. Caminer reminds us that throughout the complete experience of being a plastic surgeon the most rewarding aspects of his chosen career is having a happy patients and knowing that he is providing a world-class surgery service offereing best possible outcome.
“I am patient and I love my job. I am excellent with my hands and enjoy not only the operating but also the interaction with my patients as well.”
“My after care support is excellent. I do not have anyone else taking patients calls. All my patients have access to my mobile phone number and I deal with all the issues. I see patients regularly from taking out drains within the first week, to personally taking out all my own sutures. I generally see patients then after about 3 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 3-4 months and then and 6-12 months.” Explains Dr. Caminer.
All of this plus world-class surgery delivered in a world-class location.
“I now have new rooms overlooking Sydney Harbour in Potts Point and along with my Laser/Skin and CoolSculpting Clinic, we are currently in the process of opening a new state of the art hospital close by – East Sydney Private Hospital – boasting five theatres for more than five different specialties where I will be operating from.”
If you would like to book a consultation with Dr. David Caminer or if you would like any further information you can call his Sydney office on 02 9361 5022.