Following four years of medical school training in Houston at the University of Texas where he earned the Frank Webber Prize in medical research, Dr. De La Cruz spent the next several years in California where he successfully completed a rigorous training in general surgery at Loma Linda University. During his third year as a surgery resident, he developed the “Celtic cross technique” for immediate umbilical reconstruction which was published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, one of the world’s leading international journals in reconstructive surgery. Dr. De La Cruz was subsequently board certified by the American Board of Surgery.
With the aim of further refining his surgical skills and knowledge, as well as his interest in hand surgery since he was a child after he underwent a finger replant himself, Dr. De La Cruz pursued further training in Hand and Microsurgery at OHSU (Oregon Health & Sciences University) under the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. There he acquired extensive hand surgery experience in microsurgery, endoscopic carpal tunnel release, peripheral nerve surgery, and other major hand & upper extremity reconstructive procedures. He finished the program with flying colors, and performed more than nine hundred procedures during his training.
Dr. De La Cruz pursued further training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the Georgia Health & Sciences University (formerly known as Medical College of Georgia) where he honed his skills in reconstructive plastic and cosmetic surgery. At Medical College of Georgia, he refined his techniques in breast reconstruction (Free TRAM, DIEP free flaps), craniofacial surgery, abdominoplasty, liposuction & fat grafting, breast augmentation, mastopexy (breast lift), facelift, rhinoplasty, and other aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Currently, Dr. De La Cruz is finishing his 9th year of training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. During his training, Dr. De La Cruz served as Chief Surgery Resident in Plastic Surgery, and scored 94th percentile nationally on his Plastic Surgery Inservice Examination.
Dr. De La Cruz recently received recognition by the Consumer's Research Council of America in the 2010 edition of "Guide to America's Top Plastic Surgeons."
When not performing surgery or seeing patients, Dr. De La Cruz enjoys playing the piano, composing music, cooking ethnic dishes, and painting portraits.
For further information, please visit: Woodlands Plastic Surgeon
Dr. De La Cruz recently received recognition by the Consumer's Research Council of America in the 2010 edition of "Guide to America's Top Plastic Surgeons."
When not performing surgery or seeing patients, Dr. De La Cruz enjoys playing the piano, composing music, cooking ethnic dishes, and painting portraits.
For further information, please visit: Woodlands Plastic Surgeon
