Andrew Elkwood, MD

Philosophy of Care:

Working in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery makes you a better surgeon. You think about everything more pragmatically. It enables you to put things in perspective. It makes you insightful and gives you maturity of judgment.

Dr. Andrew Elkwood is skilled in many of the latest plastic surgery techniques. In addition to his expertise in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Elkwood is an international expert in nerve reconstruction surgery for patients who have lost the use of a limb from nerve damage. He is highly skilled in microsurgery, limb replantation and microsurgical reconstruction after cancer.

Dr. Elkwood is a graduate of the prestigious six-year combined B.S./M.D. program at Union College, Schenectady, New York, and the Albany Medical College of Union University, Albany, New York. He completed his general surgery residency at New York University and Bellevue Hospital, and simultaneously received a graduate degree in finance and economics from Columbia University. Dr. Elkwood continued training at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at the New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital/Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, which ran the world’s busiest cosmetic surgery service.

Dr. Elkwood is double board certified in general surgery and plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Elkwood is the founder and director of the Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery at Jersey Shore Medical Center. Dr. Elkwood is an associate professor of surgery at Drexel University and an assistant professor in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

He is also a journal reviewer and frequent contributor to multiple scientific journals. He has appeared extensively in major media, including CNN, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, The Learning Channel, Fox News, and The Discovery Channel. Dr. Elkwood is also a Top Doctor by New Jersey Monthly year after year, elected by his peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America®, and is listed as one of the best surgeons in America in The Consumer Guide to Top Doctors. Additionally, he was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for Cancer.

In addition to his expertise in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Elkwood is an international expert in nerve reconstruction surgery for patients who have lost the use of a limb from nerve damage. He is highly skilled in microsurgery, limb replantation and microsurgical reconstruction after cancer. Dr. Elkwood is a graduate of the prestigious six-year combined B.S./M.D. program at Union College, Schenectady, New York, and the Albany Medical College of Union University, Albany, New York. He completed his general surgery residency at New York University and Bellevue Hospital, and simultaneously received a graduate degree in finance and economics from Columbia University. Dr. Elkwood continued training at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at the New York University Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital/Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, which ran the world’s busiest cosmetic surgery service. Dr. Elkwood is double board certified in general surgery and plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Elkwood is the founder and director of the Center for Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery at Jersey Shore Medical Center. Dr. Elkwood is an associate clinical professor of surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and an assistant professor in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. He is also a journal reviewer and frequent contributor to multiple scientific journals. He has appeared extensively in major media, including CNN, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, The Learning Channel, Fox News, and The Discovery Channel. Dr. Elkwood is also a Top Doctor by New Jersey Monthly year after year, elected by his peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America®, and is listed as one of the best surgeons in America in The Consumer Guide to Top Doctors. Additionally, he was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for Cancer.

Publications

Wimmers EG, Elkwood AI. Treatment of Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction with Genitofemoral Nerve Transfer [24]. American Society for Peripheral Nerve. 2021. Kaufman MR, Bauer T, Campbell S, et al [including Elkwood AI]. Prospective analysis of a surgical algorithm to achieve ventilator weaning in cervical tetraplegia. J Spinal Cord Med. 2020. Patel TR, Elkwood AI, Therattil PJ, et al. Decreasing Umbilical Necrosis in Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Breast Reconstruction with Surgical Delay. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019; 7(2):e2124. Elkwood AI, Kaufman MR, Abdollahi H. Foot drop: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. In: Collins KA, Butler CE, eds. UpToDate. Waltham, MA; 2019. Elkwood AI, Kaufman MR, Ibrahim Z. Surgical Treatment of Brachial Plexus Injuries. In: Collins KA, Butler CE, Shefner JM, eds. UpToDate. Waltham, MA; 2019. Elkwood AI, Rose MI, Kaufman MR, et al. Shoulder Subluxation Pain as a Secondary Indication for Trapezius to Deltoid Transfer. J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj. 2018;13:e20-e23. Kaufman MR, Chang EI, Rossi K, Ibrahim Z, Elkwood AI. Surgical Treatment of Iatrogenic Steroid Injection-induced Myelomalacia. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2018;6:e2026. Elkwood AI, Holland NR, Kaufman MR. Sciatic Nerve Decompression. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1890559-overview. Published November 27, 2018. Chang EI, Rose MI, Rossi K, Elkwood AI. Microneurosurgical treatment options in peripheral nerve compression syndromes after chemotherapy and radiation treatment. J Surg Oncol. 2018;118:793‐799. Elkwood AI, Kaufman M, Schneider LF. Introduction to Rehabilitative Surgery. In: Elkwood AI, Kaufman M, Schneider LF, eds. Rehabilitative Surgery: A Comprehensive Text for an Emerging Field. Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2017. Elkwood AI, Schneider LF, Rose MI. Lower Extremity. In: Elkwood AI, Kaufman M, Schneider LF, eds. Rehabilitative Surgery: A Comprehensive Text for an Emerging Field. Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2017. Elkwood AI, Schneider LF, Yu D, Abdollahi H. A global approach to upper extremity paralysis: The role of surgery in limb reanimation. In: Elkwood AI, Kaufman M, Schneider LF, eds. Rehabilitative Surgery: A Comprehensive Text for an Emerging Field. Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2017. Kaufman MR, Elkwood AI, Brown D, et al. Erratum to: Long-Term Follow-Up After Phrenic Nerve Reconstruction for Diaphragmatic Paralysis: A Review of 180 Patients. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2017. Kaufman MR, Elkwood AI, Brown D, et al. Long-Term Follow-Up After Phrenic Nerve Reconstruction for Diaphragmatic Paralysis: A Review of 180 Patients. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2017;33(1):63-69. Elkwood AI, Kozusko SD, Patel TR, et al. The Bony Anchoring Reinforcement System (BARS) For Flank Hernia Repair: A Versatile Technique. Eur J Plast Surg. 2017; 40(4):315-322. Elkwood AI, Borao FJ, Ashinoff RL, et al. Complex incisional hernias repaired in conjunction with the Bony Anchoring Reinforcement System (BARS) prevents hernia recurrence. Eur J Plast Surg. 2014;37(8):431-436. Elkwood AI, Ashinoff RL, Kaufman MR, et al. Using pedicled TRAM flap in conjunction with the bony anchoring reinforcement system (BARS) for abdominal wall reconstruction. Eur J Plast Surg. 2014;37(7):381–386. Saad A, Cece JA, Arvanitis ML, Elkwood AI. The use of bone anchors for autologous flap fixation in perineal reconstruction: a case report. J Surg Case Rep. 2013; 2013(7):rjt063. Kaufman MR, Elkwood AI, Colicchio AR, et al. Functional Restoration of Diaphragmatic Paralysis: An Evaluation of Phrenic Nerve Reconstruction. Ann Thorac Surg. 2014;97(1):260-266. Kaufman MR, Elkwood AI, Rose MI, et al. Surgical Treatment of Permanent Diaphragm Paralysis After Interscalene Nerve Block for Shoulder Surgery. Anesthesiology.2013; 119(2):484-487. Kaufman MR, Willekes LJ, Elkwood AI, et al. Diaphragm paralysis caused by transverse cervical artery compression of the phrenic nerve: the Red Cross syndrome. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2012;114(5):502-505. Kaufman MR, Elkwood AI, Rose MI, et al. Reinnervation of the paralyzed diaphragm: application of nerve surgery techniques following unilateral phrenic nerve injury. Chest. 2011;140(1):191-197. Kaufman MR, Willekes LJ, Elkwood AI. Plication of the Diaphragm. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1970326-overview. Published August 9, 2016. Elkwood AI, Holland NR, Arbes SM, et al. Nerve allograft transplantation for functional restoration of the upper extremity: case series. J Spinal Cord Med. 2011;34(2):241-247. Elkwood AI, Rose MI, Kaufman MR, et al. The diagnosis and treatment of bilateral suprascapular nerve compressions. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;126(6):315e-316e. Elkwood AI, Matarasso A, Rankin M, Elkowitz M, Godek CP. National plastic surgery survey: brow lifting techniques and complications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001; 108(7):2143-50; discussion 2151-2. Rose MI, Rosson GD, Elkwood AI, Dellon AL. Thalidomide-induced neuropathy: treatment by decompression of peripheral nerves. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006; 117(7):2329-32. Elkwood AI, Kaufman MR, Rose MI, et al. Nerve Allograft Transplantation for Functional Restoration of the Upper Extremity. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;118(4):10. Pachter HL, Hofstetter SR, Elkowitz AI, Harris L, Liang HG. Traumatic Cysts of the Spleen-The Role of Cystectomy and Splenic Preservation: Experience with Seven Consecutive Patients. J Trauma. 1993,35(3):430-436. Elkowitz AI, Colen S, Slavin S, et al. Various methods of breast reconstruction after mastectomy: an economic comparison. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1993;92(1):77-83. Elkowitz AI. A Basic Guide to Health Care Finance. Resident and Staff Physician. March 1992. Elkowitz EB, Elkowitz AI. Prescribing Exercise for the Elderly. J Fam Prac Recert. 1986; 8(1):117-130. Elkowitz AI. Physicians at the Bedside: Thoughts and Actions With Regard to Health Care Allocation. J Natl Med Assoc. 1986; 78(5): 423–427. Elkowitz AI. Physicians at the bedside: Practitioners' thoughts and actions regarding bedside allocation of resources. J Med Hum. 1986;7(2):122-132. Elkowitz AI. The future of medicine: a resident's perspective. N Y State J Med. 1989; 89(8):484-486. Elkowitz AI. Healthcare: Discrimination Against the Rich? Bioethics. 1987;1(3): 272-274. Proposal for Formation and Function of Scarce Medical Resource Allocation Committees, Sent to: Congressional Biomedical Ethics Board, The Rayburn Building, Washington, D. C., Lowell Weicker, (R-CT), Chairman. FEATURED IN ARTICLES: Industry Magazine, New Jersey, Featured in article titled: Nerve Center – Breakthroughs In Treatment Of Nerve Damage And Paralysis At Jersey Shore University Medical Center, 2018 Outpatient Surgery Magazine, Featured in article titled: Experimental Surgery Treats Erectile Dysfunction, January 30, 2018 US News & World Report, Featured in article titled: 7 Ways Pain Is Sometimes Misdiagnosed, January 2018 myJerseyCentral.com, NJ Man Restored Following Devastating Injury, 2017 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors 2016 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors, 2016 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Cancer Doctor, 2015 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors 2015 The Asbury Park Press, Get The Perfect Profile Picture, October 25, 2014 The Asbury Park Press, A Breakdown: When Is Less More? October 11, 2014 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors 2014 The Asbury Park Press, Preliminary Procedures: Consultation: A Significant Step of the Surgical Process. July 22, 2014 The Asbury Park Press, Body After Baby: Mom Gets Help Bouncing Back, May 19, 2014 The Asbury Park Press, The Skinny On Liposuction, April 1, 2014 The Asbury Park Press, More Than Meets The Eye – Breast Augmentation Decision Requires Serious Thinking, March 4, 2014 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 2013 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors, November 2013 The Asbury Park Press, Belmar Youth Gets Pitching Arm Back After Nerve Reconstruction, February 5, 2013 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 2012 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors, November 2012 NJ Savvy Living, Best Doctors 2011-2012, September 2012 The Asbury Park Press, Rock Docs, August 18, 2012 NJ Savvy Living, Best Doctors, September 2011 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors, November 2011 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 15th Edition, 2011 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 2010 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors, December, 2010 The Asbury Park Press, Rare Transplant Thrills Paraplegic Daredevil, January 21, 2009 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors, November, 2007 Reuters, Botox For The Busy, July 18, 2007 The Asbury Park Press, Bringing Healing To Wounds of War, June 24, 2007 The New York Times, The Little Botox Shop Around The Corner, April 19, 2007 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 2006 The Asbury Park Press, Horrors of Mideast Haven’t Taken 10-year-olds’ Smile, November 26, 2006 New Jersey Monthly, Top Doctors, November, 2006 Castle Connolly Guide, Top Doctors New York Metro Area, 10th Edition, 2006 Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Thalidomide-Induced Neuropathy: Treatment by Decompression of Peripheral Nerves, June, 2006 The Lifestyle Magazine of The Two River Times, Beverly Hills, 07760, Spring/Summer, 2006 The Asbury Park Press, Impact; Skin Deep-A Close Look at Cosmetic Surgery, May 28, 2006 The Asbury Park Press, For Women On the Run, Cosmetic Surgery Issue, April 5, 2006 The Wall Street Journal, Nerve Transplant, March, 2006 Atlantic City Press, Nerve Transplant, March, 2006 NJ Savvy Living, Top NJ Beauty Doctors, February, 2006 The Star Ledger, A Mother’s Sacrifice give son hope of using his arm. December 14, 2005 New York Post, Counter Claims, Cut-Rate Cosmetics Put Wrinkle in Name-Brand Sales, June 10, 2005 Original Online, National Geographic News, Nip, Tuck, Boom: Cosmetic Surgeries Up 32 Percent in U.S, By: Bijal P.Trivedi, National Geographic Channel, April 2004 Original Online, Forbes-Some Nerve, By: Leigh Gallagher, June 2004 Spiegel-IN German, Lifeline-In German, June 2004 Original Online, Business Wire-19 Year old Monmouth County student to receive transplant from his mother after car accident left him paralyzed arm, June 2, 2004 Living it up with Ali & Jack-Men Under The Knife, Beauty & Style, February 17, 2004 BCG Berns Communication Group, LLC- BCG 2004 Update, February 2004 News 24 Houston- Sural Nerve Grafting, Healthy in Houston, June 6, 2004 Comcast News-Mom Donates Nerves for Son's Damaged Arm, By: Jeffrey Gold, June 4, 2004 AOL News: Mom Donates Nerves for Son's Damaged Arm, By: Jeffrey Gold, June 4, 2004 Castle Connolly – New Jersey Life Top Beauty Doctors, 2004 NJ Business Magazine, New Frontiers In Reconstructive Surgery, December, 2004 Fortune Small Business Magazine, December, 2004 NJ Biz, Rewiring The Fickle Finger Of Fate, November 29, 2004 New York Magazine – Top Rising Stars in Plastic Surgery, 2004 NJ Life Magazine – Top Plastic Surgeons in New Jersey, 2004 Castle Connolly Guide To The Best Doctors – Top Plastic Surgeons in New Jersey, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Doing Just Fine, November 30, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Surgeons To Discuss Weight Loss Options, November 8, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Surgery Assists Woman: Freehold Resident Gets Nerve Transplant, October 31, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Area Hospital Performs Living-Donor Transplant, July 1, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Hoping A Rare Gift Endures, June 17, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Surgeons Perform Living-Donor Nerve Transplant, June 10, 2004 Lifeline: German Internet, Cosmetic Surgery, June 6, 2004 Courier News, June 5, 2004 The Home News & Tribune, June 5, 2004 Business Week, June 4, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, A Father-Daughter Connection, June 1, 2004 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Miami Herald, Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Newsday, Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Palm Beach Post (Florida), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Fort Worth Star Telegram (Texas), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Kansas City Star, Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Pioneer Press (Minnesota), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 The Ledger (Florida), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Tallahassee Democrat (Florida), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Worcester Telegram (Massachusetts), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Macon Telegraph (Alabama), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Fort Wayne News Sentinel (Indiana), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Biloxi Sun Herald (Mississippi), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Tuscaloosa News (Alabama), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Georgia), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 The State (South Carolina), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004. Grand Forks Herald (North Dakota), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004. The Charlotte Observer (North Carolina), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004. Times Daily (Alabama), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004. Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Centre Daily Times (Pennsylvania), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 The Wichita Eagle (Kansas), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 San Luis Tribune (California), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 The Bradenton Herald (Florida), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Monterey County Herald (California), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Duluth News Tribune (Minnesota), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Aberdeen American News (South Dakota), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Wilmington Morning Star (North Carolina), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Wilkes Barre Times-Leader (Pennsylvania), Nerve Transplant, June, 2004 Der Spiegel Website, Germany, May 4, 2004 The Asbury Park Press, Getting the Nerve, January 23, 2004 Original Online, New York Metro.com-Cosmetic Surgery Guide 2003, Top Plastic Surgeons pick the Field's Sharpest New Talents, By: Beth Landman & Sarah Bernard News 14 Carolina- Prostate Nerve Surgery, (Health Report), By: Medstar.com August 22, 2003 Self, Saving Life and Limb, December 2003 The Asbury Park Press, Rebuilding Lives, November 8, 2003 New York Magazine, The Best Beauty Docs, October 6, 2003 Asbury Park Press, Cancer Survivor Celebrates Life On Fathers’ Day. June 15, 2003 Forbes Magazine, Prostate Surgery Technique Offered, June 2003 Asbury Park Press, The Journey of Healing. May 11, 2003 The Star Ledger, Nerve Graft Helps New Jersey Man Keep Sex Function After Prostate Surgery. April 29, 2003 Forbes, Some Nerve. April 14, 2003 Meridian Health Views, Prostate Surgery – Local Surgeons On The Leading Edge. Jan/Feb 2003, Vol. 7 No. 1 Star Ledger, Injured Arm Coming Back To Life. January 21, 2003 Consumer Guide to Top Doctors, by the editors of Consumers’ Checkbook Magazine MSNBC/Yahoo Health-A Return to Silicone-Scary, By: Charlene Laino MSNBC Health Editor, April 8, 2002 New Jersey Life, Introducing The Institute For Advanced Reconstructive Surgery At Monmouth Medical Center. August, 2002 Meridian Health Views, Trauma Services – Near Amputation Puts Surgeon’s Skills To The Test. Nov/Dec 2001, Vol. 5 No. 6 Meridian Health Views, Cancer Services – Quality Cancer Care Close To Home. May/June 2001, Vol. 5 No. 3 Meridian Health Views, Technology – Saving Patients From Amputation. May/June 2001, Vol. 5 No. 3 The Courier, Skillful Surgeon Saves Man’s Thumb. May 24, 2001 Meridian Health Views, Police Trauma – Outlook Bright For Man In Blue. Jan/Feb 2001. Asbury Park Press, Parkway Miracle. December 24, 2000 Meridian Health Views, Laser Surgery Gives Young Boy A Chance At A Normal Life. Nov/Dec 2000, Vol. 4 No. 6 Asbury Park Press, A Second Chance, 2000 Asbury Park Press, He’s Thankful He’s Still Alive. November 25, 1999 Health 4 Link, Institute for Advances in Reconstructive Surgery Health 5 Link, Rebuilding of A Thumb