MEET DR. CENTENO
Born in the picturesque, waterfront town of Frederiksted, St. Croix, Dr. Centeno returned home to his native U.S. Virgin Islands to found Saint Croix Plastic Surgery & MediSpa in 2008. After over 20 years on the mainland pursuing his education, medical training, and practicing the highly specialized field of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, he fulfilled a life-long goal of returning to St. Croix to participate in the delivery of first-class health care. Inspired to pursue a career in plastic surgery by his brother Johnny (deceased), who was born with a craniofacial malformation, he hoped to return to participate in the continued improvement of healthcare services being delivered in the Virgin Islands, the Eastern Caribbean, and beyond.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the care you have given me. There are no words that can ever express how grateful I am to you and your entire staff.
After my last surgery, I was so overwhelmed I started to cry. For the first time in my life…even among all the swelling, my stomach was flatter than I knew was ever possible, and my arms were just beautiful. I think I worried the nurses until I told them it was because I was so happy and excited. What a great surprise to wake up to!
Your surgical talents and personal skills are greatly appreciated and I look forward to maintaining a continued relationship throughout the future years to come as the natural aging process continues to take its toll.”
Fondest regards,
— RB, St Louis, MO
& St. Petersburg FL
“To my favorite doctor! You create beauty…because the beauty is within you! Don’t ever lose it! Thanks for making me better than I am (prettier that is)!”
Affectionately,
— J.E., St. Charles, MO
“Thank you very, very much for your kindness and excellent care!”
— J.M., Illinois
“Thank you for your kindness. I greatly appreciate your extreme thoughtfulness, tolerance, and excellent care. Doctors as caring as you are a rarity. I was blessed to have you help me. I wish you the best! St. Louis is losing an excellent doctor. Many heartfelt thanks.”
— J.M., St. Louis
“Dr Centeno,
I couldn't let you leave without telling you how you've changed my life (self image).
I was just proud of being a cancer survivor, at any cost, but with the brilliant work you did I can honestly say that I have a renewed confidence in my body image. I know the quality of my life has improved due to you!
I have a better sense of self, more confidence and a renewed sexuality (woo!! hoo!!).
I hate to lose you in my life, but I wish you all the luck, success and love in your new endeavor.
Congratulations & BREAST WISHES!!”
— L.R., Illinois
Prior to founding Saint Croix Plastic Surgery, he resided in St. Louis after completing his plastic surgery residency at the prestigious Washington University’s Barnes-Jewish Hospital. During his residency, Dr. Centeno distinguished himself by scoring in the top 6% on the national Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Examination. In his final year at Washington University, he was chosen as Executive Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery. His general surgery residency was completed at MCP-Hahnemann University Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia. Prior to his residencies, Dr. Centeno earned his medical degree at the MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine at Drexel University, combined with an M.B.A. in Health Care Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
With his residencies completed, Dr. Centeno then earned an aesthetic surgery fellowship at the prestigious Institute for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at The New York University Medical Center/Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, the nation's busiest cosmetic plastic surgery center. He took the skill of this fellowship training back to St. Louis to become a founding partner of the nationally recognized, BodyAesthetic Plastic Surgery & Skincare Center. He earned his Board Certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 2005, after which he became a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
Although Dr. Centeno specializes in all areas of cosmetic surgery, his interests and expertise include minimally-invasive aesthetic facial surgery procedures, such as short-scar face lift, neck lifts, rhinoplasty, browpexy, combination volume rejuvenation therapy of the face, and autologous fat transfer. Other specialties are short-scar breast reduction and mastopexy (breast lift), breast augmentation, facial resurfacing, gluteal (buttocks) contouring, and laser varicose/spider vein therapy. He is certified as a member of the BOTOX® Cosmetic National Education Faculty.
Dr. Centeno has gained national recognition for his innovations in the relatively new field of body contouring following massive weight loss. He has taught "Master Classes" as part of the Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Inc. professional education effort to train other plastic surgeons in the new and innovative procedures being developed in this field. He is a sought-after national and international speaker on various topics in Plastic Surgery, and has been cited in "Guide to America’s Top Plastic Surgeons" selected by the Consumer’s Research Council of America in 2006 and 2008.
Dr. Centeno graduated from St. Joseph High School in Frederiksted, St. Croix. He left the island to attend Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After graduating with a biology degree, he spent a year working at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health as a researcher on HIV/AIDS immunology. While in medical school, he served as an Ensign in the United States Public Health Service and earned a National Health Policy Fellowship at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Centeno is a wine connoisseur and gourmet cook, skills inspired by his family who have owned restaurants on St. Croix. Another hobby is adventure traveling, to remote coastal or island locations, a reflection of his passion for island life. These passions are eclipsed only by his love of modern, minimalist architecture, and for technologies and “gadgets” used in improving patient care.