Dr. Hugh Elliott Hetherington, MD

Dr. Heatherington has been my Dr. for the last 15 years. Without Dr. Heatherington's amazing surgical abilities I wouldn't be here typing this. Since the time of my surgery I have had a fair number of Dr's. in other facilities including Mayo make unsolicited comments about what a fine job he did on the radical neck dissection he performed that removed a very aggressive cancer and quite frankly saved my life! When my cancer is mentioned among people that don't know me well the most common comment I get is "Gosh, I hadn't even noticed". That's quite a compliment to Dr. Heatherington's ability when you figure he removed about a 5th of my neck. Dr. Heatherington has always been prompt, courteous, professional and most of all "truly concerned" with my well being. I consider Dr. Heatherington one of the best Doctors that has ever treated me and I have been treated by far more than a few.

One heck of a nice man, as well - I felt the concern and care.

Dr. Hetherington was so great! I had chronic sinusitis caused from a deviated septum among other things. He was quick to diagnose me and give me options and plenty of time to make a choice about which option would be best for me. I ended up having surgery to repair my deviated septum and enlarge my sinuses. I'm still healing (3 weeks later) but I can already tell a HUGE difference! To all of you hearing bad things about him from other providers, they are the issue not Dr. Hetherington! Thanks a ton I feel so much better!!

I do not recommend this doctor.

I'm a patient of Dr. Hetherington because I had seen another surgeon in town when I was researching having a rhinoplasty (nose job). The other doctor I saw started saying negative things about Dr. Hetherington very soon into my appointment with him. I could not believe the lack of professionalism on the part of this other doctor. I figured this other physician must have horrible skills to try to tear down a fellow physician like that. Especially another board certified physician. He basically drove me to see Dr. Hetherington. I've since done a fair amount of research on different board certifications of plastic and cosmetic surgeons. There really is little difference between the different boards. In fact, since I was planning surgery on my FACE, I would prefer to have a surgeon certified by the Facial Plastics Board anyways! After Dr. Hetherington examined me, took thorough measurements, morphed my image on a computer and explained everything about the procedure in… even a more through manner, I knew I was in the right place. I did have Dr. Hetherington perform my rhinoplasty and WOW, am I glad I did! Dr. Hetherington has my recommendation for life!

I liked the way he laid out the options and let me decide what works best for me.

I've had Heatherington once for a tympanoplasty (ear drum reparation) as a child and 4 months afterwards it re-ruptured. Later I had the surgery again when I was 19 with a different doctor which was a success. Later I learned that I shouldn't have had the surgery at that young of age because the ear drum would have a difficult time expanding with my growth spurts, which I think he should have known and informed me of. I recently got in a bike accident and possibly need surgery to fix my cheek bone and went back to see Dr. Heatherington (against my will I might add) and he did no more to impress me this time. Not only is his bedside manner terrible, which really has no reflection on his skills as a doctor, but he seemed very impartial and literally said "Meh, it's really up to you" when discussing whether I should have this most recent surgery or not; he did not seem to have an opinion as to if I should have the surgery, which is why I went to visit him and presumably why he went to med… school. I've never felt so unconfident with a before and refused to have surgery with him again. He might be a fine plastic surgeon; I wasn't willing to find out.

I went to Dr. Hetherington for cosmetic reasons and he was nothing but professional and respectful the whole time. I have referred several others to him. With my expericence, I had to be put under twice due to a correction that needed to be made. I didnt see it but Dr. Hetherington did. The nurses are nothing but wonderful, and I can walk in that office 3 years later and they still remember me. They are wonderful. I wouldnt go anywhere else!!

He seems to be reserved and analytical. I'm with another reviewer, I don't need a doc to socialize, he did however make a joke or two. He seems to have a dry sense of humor that may hard for some to appreciate. He did not waste my time and conducted a through exam quickly. My case needs more time so the diagnosis is still pending. He did not want to push me into a surgery, which I appreciate.

I was losing my voice. I feared the worst because I used to smoke. Dr. Hetherington quickly determined that I did not have cancer. My thyroid wasn't working properly. He put me on a thyroid pill and now my voice is back and I feel better than ever. I didn't know that low thyroid could make me gain weight and feel lousy.