Big Dreams from a Young Age

Dr. Vidal’s journey into the medical field began at an early age. When she was a 9-year-old girl, she was briefly hospitalized with a blood disorder and had frequent follow-ups with a hematologist. This doctor was a woman, and a young Dr. Vidal viewed her as a role model. “I saw that she was very kind, that she was helping kids,” she recalls. “I wanted to be just like her.” From that moment on, she declared to her family that she, too, would be a doctor.

“No one in my family is a doctor, so everybody thought it was just a phase,” she laughs. But as the years went on, Dr. Vidal’s passion and determination only grew. She continued to focus on the sciences in her studies and aimed for a career in pediatrics as she entered medical school, but once she started her clinical rotations, she discovered her true calling: surgery.

The more direct and immediate aspects of surgery are what initially captured her attention. “The, ‘you have a problem, let’s fix it’ mentality is what drew me to surgery,” she says. “You get to be more hands-on and use your creativity, your artistry.” This spirit of ingenuity and problem-solving would become one of Dr. Vidal’s defining hallmarks as a surgeon, helping her develop a warm, personalized approach that treats every patient as a unique individual.

As she progressed through medical school and surgical training, Dr. Vidal discovered what plastic surgery was all about, and decided to pursue a specialty where she could give people a new beginning. She understood that plastic surgery is more than changing the body — it’s about fostering a renewed sense of self. “I started seeing the power of reconstruction,” she reveals. “That transformation doesn’t really happen in any other kind of surgery.”

Medical Training & Background

As Dr. Vidal graduated high school and entered college, her interest in becoming a doctor never wavered. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, then enrolled in medical school and graduated at the top of her class from Ponce School of Medicine. By this time, she knew that surgery was her calling, so she did her general surgery residency at the University of Puerto Rico, where her leadership skills and hard work gave her the honor of becoming administrative chief resident during her final year.

While completing her residency, Dr. Vidal developed a passion for plastic and reconstructive surgeries, which led her to pursue her first fellowship in burn and reconstructive surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. She completed her second fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the prestigious University of Miami, continuing to further her interest in aesthetic surgery while training with renowned experts in the field.

In addition to her extensive training, Dr. Vidal has an ongoing commitment to staying current in research and surgical techniques to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Her studies have been published in books and journals and have been presented at international meetings.

With plastic surgery, you’re changing the way a person sees their body and helping them experience a transformation. You don’t get that with any other surgeries.

The Power of ‘Why Now?’

Dr. Vidal has a unique but effective approach for getting to the heart of an individual’s needs and goals: she always starts by asking, ‘Why now?’ This one simple question provides a meaningful look into the lives of her patients and begins the partnership that will continue to develop throughout the entire treatment process. “It’s important because a lot of people have been thinking about a certain area they’ve wanted to improve for years, but what changed now?” she explains. By diving into their motives for seeking plastic surgery, Dr. Vidal is able to establish an early connection with her patients and learn more about their individual stories.

Dr. Vidal also understands that undergoing surgery can be an intimidating prospect, so she goes out of her way to make patients feel a little more at ease. “You’re putting all of your concerns and doubts out there to another person, you’re going under general anesthesia,” she says. “It’s normal to be nervous, but I tend to be more approachable and easy to talk to.” This is evident in how her patients feel comfortable opening up to her. She maintains a personable approach from start to finish, encouraging anyone who has questions or concerns to reach out using the practice’s communication system, Clara. “With this, we can answer right away, so patients have peace of mind knowing that they’re being looked after.”

Beyond the surgical process, Dr. Vidal values the relationships she forms with her patients. Many keep in touch after their initial procedure or come back later as their needs and goals change. “I get to know people on a personal level and build these long-term connections, helping them on their journeys at different points in their lives, which I love,” she says.

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A Focus on Patient Safety

A common theme you’ll find among the surgeons at Pure Plastic Surgery is an emphasis on patient safety, and Dr. Vidal is no exception. Every staff member, from the individuals answering the phones to the surgeons themselves, is united in the goal of providing the best care from the first appointment to the last follow-up by prioritizing patient health and safety. “I chose Pure because their expectations regarding patient safety stood out to me,” says Dr. Vidal. “Focusing on patient safety is how I’ve always done things, so that resonated with me.”

One of the most important factors in patient safety is patient education. Along with Dr. Earle, Dr. Vidal frequently utilizes social media to increase patient education, posting videos that describe each procedure and what one can expect during the pre-op and post-op processes. Her regular series on YouTube, Tuesday Tips with Dr. Natalia Vidal, covers a wide range of topics in both English and Spanish. “It’s been good, and I think it helps a lot, hearing from your surgeon directly,” she says. “It’s a resource that people know they can trust.”

Patient safety is definitely a priority of mine, and I think it’s one of the things we do best at Pure Plastic Surgery. Every procedure involves risks, so trying to minimize them is very important.

Dr. Vidal’s Evolution & Expertise

Since the beginning of her career, Dr. Vidal has embarked on a journey of continuous growth and development, both personally and professionally. Now, she is a double-board certified plastic surgeon with a dynamic personality that mirrors her evolution in the field.
Initially, Dr. Vidal didn’t gravitate toward any particular procedure, but as she widened her experience and delved deeper into each surgery, she cultivated a deep connection with two special groups of patients: those seeking transformation after massive weight loss, and mothers opting for mommy makeovers to reshape the body following pregnancy.

Becoming a mother herself has significantly influenced her affinity for these procedures. As a recent mom, Dr. Vidal strongly relates to the changes that happen during pregnancy and the desire to feel like yourself again. “I can connect there,” she shares with a warm understanding. “I also really admire the decision to turn your life around with weight loss, losing 100-200 pounds to improve your health,” she adds. Removing the excess skin that often remains behind is a way for her to help patients put the finishing touches on their weight loss journey, so they can look into the mirror and see all of their hard work pay off.

In addition to excelling in procedures of the breast and body, Dr. Vidal also shines when it comes to facial plastic surgery. She stands out as one of a few female plastic surgeons in the area performing facial surgeries like rhinoplasties and facelifts, bringing a nuanced perspective to these procedures and filling a niche that has resonated with her patients

Hobbies & Interests

When she’s not in the operating room, Dr. Vidal can be found traveling or trying new foods. “I’m a foodie,” she admits. These two interests blend perfectly, giving her the opportunity to sample foods from around the world, whether it’s Thailand, Ireland or Colombia.

Dr. Vidal also has an uncanny knack for remembering song lyrics, which helps her dominate karaoke night. “I’m good at karaoke, but not because I sing very well,” she laughs. “Whenever we’re in the OR, I’m singing all of the songs, because I tend to know all of the lyrics.” Her go-to karaoke song is a fan favorite: Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.”

If she’s not eating, traveling or singing, chances are Dr. Vidal will be spending time with her family. In addition to being a wife and mother, Dr. Vidal has close ties with her family back in Puerto Rico. Whenever the opportunity arises, she visits her parents, brothers and extended family, so everyone can get together and enjoy each other’s company.