Dr. William D. Aukerman, Naples Cosmetic Surgery Center
A board-eligible plastic surgeon shaped by three years of plastic surgery training at Tulane University, built on six prior years of general surgery — specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body.
Tulane University Fellowship-Trained: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 2023-2026
Active Publication Record: Facial Plastic Surgery, PRS Global Open & ePlasty
Award-Recognized Resident: Intern of the Year, two-time Best Resident
MEET THE SURGEON
Precision, built on depth.
Dr. William D. Aukerman is a board-eligible plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body. He joins Naples Cosmetic Surgery Center following his fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine.
A defining principle of his practice is that every patient is evaluated individually. Surgical plans are built around the patient’s goals, anatomy, and lifestyle, never a one-size-fits-all template.
Dr. Aukerman believes the consultation is where good outcomes begin: time spent listening, examining, and shaping a procedure to the person in front of him.
His path to plastic surgery reflects three years of plastic surgery training at Tulane University, built on six prior years of general surgery at Duke LifePoint Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, with additional plastic surgery rotations at Cleveland Clinic Florida and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He was named Intern of the Year and twice recognized as Best Resident.
At Tulane University, Dr. Aukerman refined that foundation into advanced, hands-on expertise across facial, breast, and body procedures, including fat grafting technique, mastopexy, Mommy Makeover, backlifts, lipo 360, thigh lifts, brachioplasty, buttock lift, blepharoplasty, and Botox and filler injections.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Where his training shows.
I. Breast Reconstruction: Advanced microsurgical and reconstructive technique developed throughout his Tulane fellowship.
II. Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: Complex cases involving large bridging mesh, published in PRS Global Open.
III. Brazilian Butt Lift: Body contouring grounded in three years of plastic surgery training and six prior years of general surgery.
TRAINING PATHWAY
2023–2026
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
2017–2023
General Surgery Residency
Duke LifePoint Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, PA
Intern of the Year 2018, Best Resident 2022 & 2023
2021–2022
Additional Plastic Surgery Rotations
Cleveland Clinic Florida; University of Nebraska Medical Center
2013–2017
Doctor of Medicine
Ross University School of Medicine
PRIOR
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Denison University, Granville, OH
1986-1992 UCLA Medical Center, Department of Surgery
PUBLISHED & RECOGNIZED
Selected Publications
“Direct Necklift for Men” — Facial Plastic Surgery (accepted Sept 2025)
“Batwing Mammoplasty Modification as a Treatment for Hurley Stage III Breast Hidradenitis Suppurativa” — ePlasty (accepted May 2025)
“Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Involving Large Bridging Mesh” — PRS Global Open, March 2025
“A Propeller Perforator Flap in the Distal Lower Extremity” — Cureus, 2021 (Principal Author)
AFFILIATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
Standing in the field
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
American Society for Surgery of the Hand
The Aesthetic Society
American College of Surgeons
ACS Member
FEATURED EXPERTISE
The Restorative Approach to Post-Weight-Loss Aesthetics
GLP-1 medications have changed the body – but losing weight and restoring form are two different problems. Dr. Aukerman brings advanced body and breast techniques designed for the patient whose weight has stabilized and whose anatomy now needs more than maintenance. The art is knowing the difference.
When Weight Stabilizes, We Evaluate What Has Changed
Before recommending any procedure, Dr. Aukerman assesses what has truly changed across five structural domains.
i. Skin Envelope: Stretched skin often loses its ability to retract, leaving laxity weight loss alone won’t correct.
ii. Volume: Fat loss is not selective. Faces, breasts, and buttocks deflate alongside the abdomen.
iii. Muscle & Support: The abdominal wall may be weakened or separated, affecting contour and core function.
iv. Breast Position: Breasts lose volume, descend, and flatten against the chest wall.
v. Abdominal Laxity: Hanging skin and a compromised wall are the most common, most under-treated results.
vi. Facial Deflation: Diminishing fat pads hollow the midface and soften the jawline, aging the face a decade.
Maintenance vs. Restoration
Some changes can be maintained with non-surgical care; others require surgical restoration. Recommending the wrong one wastes a patient’s time and erodes trust. This is where surgical judgment matters most.
| Maintenance | Restoration |
|---|---|
| Skin tightening energy devices for mild laxity | Abdominoplasty for a compromised abdominal wall and excess skin |
| Injectable volume for early facial deflation | Fat grafting and structural restoration of the face |
| Bra support and monitoring of stable breasts | Hybrid breast augmentation, implant plus fat grafting |
| Skincare and weight stability | Buttock enhancement via ultrasound-guided fat grafting |
Dr. Aukerman’s Signature Restorative Techniques
TECHNIQUE 01
Hybrid Breast Augmentation
Combining an implant with the patient’s own fat grafting to restore both volume and natural soft-tissue coverage. Ideal for the deflated breast where an implant alone can look or feel unnatural.
TECHNIQUE 02
Ultrasound-Guided Fat Grafting to the Buttock
Real-time ultrasound guidance for safer, more precise fat placement, restoring buttock volume and shape lost to weight reduction.
TECHNIQUE 03
Mastopexy
Breast lift surgery to restore position, shape, and firmness, addressing ptosis and volume changes that follow pregnancy, weight loss, or aging.
TECHNIQUE 04
Mommy Makeover
A customized combination of procedures, typically breast and abdominal surgery, designed to restore the body after pregnancy and childbirth in a single surgical session.
TECHNIQUE 05
Backlift
Removal of excess skin and tissue from the upper and lower back, improving contour and addressing redundancy that diet and exercise cannot correct.
TECHNIQUE 06
Lipo 360
Circumferential liposuction of the torso, treating the abdomen, flanks, and back in a single procedure for a smoother, more contoured silhouette.
TECHNIQUE 07
Thigh Lift
Surgical reshaping of the inner and outer thighs by removing excess skin and fat, restoring tone and proportion to the lower body.
TECHNIQUE 08
Brachioplasty
Arm lift surgery that removes loose, hanging skin from the upper arm, one of the most common requests following significant weight loss.
TECHNIQUE 09
Buttock Lift
Excision of excess skin and tissue to elevate and firm the buttocks, particularly effective after massive weight loss where volume alone cannot restore shape.
TECHNIQUE 10
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower lids, refreshing the appearance of the eyes and restoring a more rested, youthful look.
TECHNIQUE 11
Botox & Filler Injections
Non-surgical facial rejuvenation using neuromodulators and dermal fillers to soften lines, restore volume, and enhance facial harmony – with natural, balanced results.
“Some problems need maintenance; some need restoration.
The key is knowing the difference.”
CONFIDENCE STARTS HERE
Ready to feel like yourself, only more so?
Schedule a post-weight-loss restoration consultation with Dr. Aukerman—combining surgical precision with a broad reconstructive perspective. Looking for a plastic surgeon in the Naples, Florida area? Call 239-316-1689 to schedule your consultation with Dr. William Aukerman today!
