From Panama to Puerto Rico: The Odyssey of Dr. Earle

Dr. Earle’s upbringing starts in Panama, where he was born, and takes him from Uruguay and Ecuador to Costa Rica and Miami before circling back to Puerto Rico, where he would spend his formative years. During his travels, he was exposed to a diverse array of cultures and had time to explore varied interests, but the one that captured his heart at 7 years old was unusual for his family: horseback riding. “No one in the family had done it,” he recalls. “It was just something that sparked my interest, and my parents were graceful enough to support me.”

As he kept at it, Dr. Earle developed an aptitude for equestrian show jumping and remained dedicated to the sport, putting in several hours each day to hone his skills. His hard work paid off and culminated in him representing Puerto Rico in the 1995 Pan American Games, then again in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. His experience as an Olympian showjumper taught him about the importance of teamwork, grit and perseverance, but it was other life lessons — such as the drive to achieve something and improve, not for accolades, but for your own sense of personal fulfillment — that would shape his future as a plastic surgeon.

Even though it’s just you and the horse, you’re not doing it alone. There’s a whole team behind you. Like most things in life, we achieve the best results when the team pulls together.

Beyond the Reins: Medical Training & Experience

The transition from Olympic showjumper to plastic surgeon seems like a big leap, but for Dr. Earle, it was a natural progression. “I decided medicine was a good path fairly early on, but perhaps because of the sport, I wanted something with a little more action,” he says. “Surgery seemed like a good fit because it involved procedures and doing things with your hands.”

The same passion and dedication he poured into horseback riding he channeled into his education and now, his career. He completed his undergraduate studies with clarity of purpose at the prestigious Princeton University, followed by medical school at NYU and general surgery residency training at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital. During this time, he also completed two years of NIH-funded trauma research.

However, as he navigated the world of surgery and rotated through the different specialties, a realization dawned on Dr. Earle. Much of surgery was about removal — amputating a limb, excising a tumor. While necessary, it could often be destructive and was more about subtracting rather than adding. This insight steered him toward plastic surgery, which is unique in that it focuses on putting things back together again to restore form and function.

The range of procedures it involved also piqued his interest, so after completing his general surgery training, Dr. Earle was accepted into one of the top plastic surgery training programs in the nation at Duke University. From there, he was recruited to work at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida, where he published research in peer-reviewed journals and trained future generations of plastic surgeons before opening his own practice: Pure Plastic Surgery.

In reconstructive and plastic surgery, we’re trying to restore form and function. More importantly, I think, we’re restoring quality of life and the self-esteem of our patients.

Going the Extra Mile: Dedication to Patient Care & Safety

At times, Dr. Earle found working in a larger hospital system stifling. And it often contrasted sharply with his own idea of what patient care should look like. His desire for autonomy and a more personalized approach led to the founding of Pure Plastic Surgery, where he could create an environment that mirrored his vision — one that was inherently patient-centric.

However, his vision also involved creating a warm, family-like atmosphere for his team, where staff members show one another the same care and respect they give to those they treat. This ethos, he believes, naturally translates into a superior patient experience.

Dr. Earle’s dedication to providing an unparalleled level of care is exemplified by his unyielding commitment to improved patient safety. Pure Plastic Surgery has been a leader in safety since opening, championing the use of ultrasound imaging technology for the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure. “I was one of the first to be using that technology, which helps me visualize exactly where I’m placing the fat,” he says. As of July 2023, ultrasound guidance is now mandatory for all gluteal fat transfer procedures in the state of Florida.

“This is something I’ve been doing and talking about for years,” notes Dr. Earle. “We’re always on the cutting-edge of doing things to increase the safety profile for our patients.”

Dr. Earle strives to go above and beyond in other ways, too. Pure Plastic Surgery has the highest level of certification for office-based surgery, accredited by the Joint Commission, which recognizes excellence in maintaining a high level of patient safety and care.

Unreasonable” Hospitality: A Patient Experience Like No Other

In addition to upholding the highest standards of patient safety and quality of care, Dr. Earle and his team are dedicated to providing what he calls “unreasonable” hospitality. Undergoing any surgical procedure can be nerve-wracking, so he takes the time to get to know each patient and puts in the effort to make them feel like they’re surrounded by friends.

It’s also important to him that patients are comfortable going into the operating room. “One of the things we like to do is have your favorite song on as you go into the OR,” he mentions.

Another way that Dr. Earle enhances the patient experience is by connecting with them on social media to increase patient education. Every Wednesday, he hosts a Live on Instagram called Hump Day With Dr. Earle, where he discusses plastic surgery topics and spends time answering people’s questions. “The main purpose of everything I do on social media is to educate patients on the procedures,” he explains. “I think it’s been very, very helpful.” His goal is to promote awareness of the potential risks and complications of plastic surgery and let individuals know exactly what to expect before, during and after their procedure.

Dr. Earle has also developed the Smart Aesthetics™ approach to patient care. Smart Aesthetics combines objective measurements and criteria with each individual’s unique desires and underlying foundation to create a naturally balanced and long-lasting outcome. It recognizes that no two patients are exactly alike and provides a truly personalized experience, helping to craft and achieve results that are all your own.

At Pure Plastic Surgery, we go the extra mile. We not only talk the talk, but walk the walk when it comes to patient safety. It’s always been our number one priority here.

Staying Ahead: Ongoing Learning, Research & Contributions

Plastic surgery is a field that is always changing, with emerging trends, techniques and technology shaping the way that procedures are performed. To stay at the forefront, Dr. Earle actively pursues opportunities to deepen his surgical knowledge and learn new skills.

Recently, Dr. Earle spent two weeks in Colombia with one of the masters of high-definition liposuction, an advanced technique that strategically removes fat to create a three-dimensional result, improving the tone and definition of treated areas. “I was there with him learning these techniques so I can bring them back to Miami,” he says. He also spends time on reading and research to find ways to improve himself, his staff and his practice.

Dr. Earle is also considered an expert among his peers, especially when it comes to BBLs. As the president of WAGS, the World Association of Gluteal Surgeons, he provides training courses at his practice to help other surgeons learn how to perform ultrasound-guided gluteal fat transfers, with the goal of increasing the safety of the procedure worldwide. In addition to educating other surgeons, Dr. Earle is also still actively involved in research. His work has won several awards and has been published in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.