About Our Practice

Welcome to Radiance Plastic Surgery at Radiance - A Private Outpatient Surgery Center. We've spent the past fifteen years and 3 million dollars to bring YOU to this threshold - the beginning of your journey to radiant beauty, ever-increasing good health, and the kind of boundless energy that comes from self-confidence and happiness. Welcome to the world of Dr. Cherup's plastic surgery and what it offers. Our receptionist Karen will greet you in the reception room and make sure you are refreshed at our snack bar and have a good magazine to read before you see Dr. Cherup.

During your consultation with Dr. Cherup, she has many goals. She wants to know who your loved ones are, and how you contribute to this world through your job, activities or children. She will ask you many pointed questions as she reviews your medical history and medications. Are you healthy enough for us to consider any plastic surgery? She will examine you carefully, in private, while you are clad in a comfortable terry robe and panties. Given her vast medical knowledge and experience, she will then formulate a plan for surgery that will address your perceived problem but may also be more inclusive then you thought possible.

One of the most important parts of your talk will involve informing you of the specific risks of your surgery. In general, the healthier you are, the risks are minimized. The importance of stopping aspirin and ibuprofen, vitamin E and other medications prior to surgery will be stressed. And if you smoke - don't worry - we will absolutely get you to stop, forever.

With the use of our Mirror digital archive, we will show you before and after photos of the hundreds (really thousands) of previous patients that have undergone procedures similar to those you and Dr. Cherup are contemplating. By showing you patients who are very physically similar to you, you will be able to visualize the kind of surgical result Dr. Cherup will be able to deliver for you.

Before you leave from your first consultation, Theo, our second receptionist, will give or mail to you your Inform/Consent Book. This is your Bible! Read every word because Dr. Cherup wants you to understand all the inside information on your procedure, and will be asking YOU questions when you return. After scheduling your return visit, you will probably want to go home and contemplate all the information you received. Dr. Cherup is not one of those surgeons who wants to hurry you to sign on the dotted line. She wants you to accomplish YOUR goals. Is this procedure right for you? Does it financially make sense at this point in your life? Do you trust Dr. Cherup as a surgeon? You should. Most importantly, are you capable of being a good patient so we can have a platform for a successful surgery?

On your second, no-charge, confirming visit to our center, Dr. Cherup will answer any remaining questions, go over the surgical plan, perform a pre-op history and physical, and take photos. Our patient care coordinator Kathy O'Connor will orchestrate your surgical process from start to finish. You will spend 20 minutes with her reviewing your consent and pre-operative instructions. Over the next few weeks we will review your lab results and EKG in preparation for the big day when we will see you at your surgery. You are almost there!!!

Meet Dr. Cherup

Dr. Lori Cherup is the president of RADIANCE Plastic Surgery and the Medical Director of RADIANCE – A Private Outpatient Surgery Center. She has been in practice at six major hospitals and her own center since 1989.Dr. Cherup is trained in both plastic surgery and general surgery. She received her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed her residencies at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and the University of Chicago. She received her A.B. from Princeton University in 1976.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Cherup, click here to read about everything from her early days to the development of RADIANCE.

 

Dr. Cherup's Philosophy on Plastic Surgery

I became a physician because my dad is a family doctor. I became a plastic surgeon because I discovered in medical school that I fit in personality-wise with the plastic surgeons in the surgery department of Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital (one of the hospitals of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons).

I love being a plastic surgeon because of what I can do for people. A psychiatrist once said to me: "You fix people on the outside and as a result, make them like themselves better and feel happy on the inside - it's just the opposite of what I do."

Well, it's the truth.

I perform reconstructive and aesthetic cosmetic surgery on patients in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but I seem to specialize in aesthetic cosmetic surgery. I know what it feels like to want to maintain one's self - I've have personally undergone a few of the cosmetic surgery operations I commonly perform. Not only as a plastic surgeon, but also as a plastic surgery patient, I understand when a person says "I don't deserve to have these breasts on my body." I want to help that person feel unified again. I don't understand when a person delivers to me the same breast complaints and also smokes two packs per day, is forty pounds overweight, and doesn't exercise. I'm willing to do anything for a patient that is medically sound and surgically feasible, as long as they can demonstrate that they are capable of doing everything for their health and for themselves.

It pains me to do something medically unsound. I have a strong medical and ethical conscience. On the other hand, I often may ask the plastic surgery patient to do something very difficult because it will medically afford us the best aesthetic result.

Because I've had great training, and because I've had some aesthetic cosmetic surgery procedures myself, I really know what I'm asking cosmetic surgery patients to experience. I ask for a bit of stoicism, and simply the desire to heal and get strong again. All pain- if there are no medical complications- goes away. Discomfort is expected and tolerable, if you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I Get Very Good Cosmetic Surgery Results

Radiance Surgery Center is a center for excellence in serving all of your aesthetic care needs. Susan, our aesthetician, will treat your skin with our Laroche-Posay program, bringing your skin to radiance as best as she can without requiring you to see a cosmetic surgeon for surgery. Our new Starlux laser will give me the opportunity to remove your unwanted body and facial hair with a near-painless, almost permanent 3-phase procedure. Call our Pennsylvania offices for details.

I will take your dreams and expectations for your face and body contour and deliver to you a planned package to elevate and maintain your new image, with the ultimate goal of a long, healthy life.

There are very few people I cannot relate to. If you want to talk to a cosmetic surgeon, come to see me. I have two cosmetic surgery practice locations in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Board Memberships:

Member: American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.
Certified by: The American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Fellow: The American College of Surgeons.
Member: American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

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Meet Our Staff

Jodi Santini, R.N.

Jodi is the Radiance Surgery Center Nurse Manager. She carefully manages the Surgery Center's clinical staff. Jodi brings with her more than 13 years of operating room experience. The Nurse Manager is instrumental in the reception and maintenance of Radiance's accreditation as well as the development of the policies and procedures for Dr. Cherup's Radiance Surgery Center.

Susan Mowry, R.N. - Aesthetician

Susan Mowry, R.N. is our skin clinic nurse-aesthetician, injector specialist and laser technician. She is a registered nurse with degrees from Community College of Allegheny County and South Hills Beauty Academy and has ten years of experience leading our skin care clinic. She continues her Aesthetic education by attending yearly advanced skin care seminars. Susan maintains a membership with The Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists, which keeps her active in the medical aspects of skin care as well as maintaining certifications in various Dermal Fillers and Botox injections. All of the skin care treatments Susan performs are under the supervision of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.

Kathy O'Connor

Kathy is Dr. Cherup's Patient Care Coordinator. She schedules all surgeries and oversees each aspect of the surgical process. Kathy ensures the proper continuity-of-care for all of Dr. Cherup's patients, including pre- and post- operative phases. Kathy resides in suburban Greentree and has eleven years of service with Dr. Cherup.

Susanne Vidal

Radiance is in the capable financial hands of Susanne Vidal. As Billing Coordinator, she assists with any-and-all insurance questions or concerns. Susanne has over 25 years of billing expertise and her extensive knowledge ensures that every claim is handled promptly and accurately.

Karen Schirra

Upon entering Radiance, odds are that the first smiling face and warm greeting you'll enjoy will come from our receptionist Karen. She maintains total control over the numerous telephone lines for both the Surgery Center and Dr. Cherup's practice. Whether a patient is scheduling or revising an appointment, Karen will coordinate all of the details in order to ensure total satisfaction.

General Information:

Who We Treat

New patients and referrals from other doctors, and patients covered by:

• Aetna Health Plan
• Blue Shield
• Health America
• Health Assurance
• Keystone
• Medicare
• Security Blue
• Select Blue
• UPMC Health Plan
• U.S. Healthcare
• Worker's Compensation

On Your First Visit

Please bring your insurance card and any required insurance forms. We will ask you to complete a Patient Registration Form and Patient Health Report.

Payment Arrangements

We will be happy to submit your insurance claim forms for you. We accept Visa, Master Card, and Discover. There is also a finance company available for your convenience.

Prescription Refills

Please call our office Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Lab Services

We will make all necessary arrangements for your lab tests and surgery.

In An Emergency

Call our office at (412) 220-8181. We maintain a 24 hour answering service. During normal office hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday), our staff will answer your calls and connect you with Dr. Cherup. After office hours, the doctor will return your calls.

Hospital Services

Dr. Cherup is affiliated with: Allegheny General Hospital, St. Clair Hospital, Ohio Valley General Hospital, UPMC Surgery Center Bethel Park, Canonsburg Hospital and Mon Valley Hospital.

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