Where plastic surgery and functional medicine meet

Medical

How Donaldson Plastic Surgery in Columbus, Ohio, expanded beyond the or to address what traditional healthcare often misses  

More than 15 years ago, Donaldson Plastic Surgery opened its doors as a plastic surgery-focused practice in Columbus, Ohio. Today, it operates as something far more rare: a three-pillar healthcare organization where board-certified plastic surgeons, aesthetic medicine specialists and functional medicine physicians work under one roof. 

And together, each division works for the health of each patient.

That expansion is the result of a deliberate vision to meet patient needs that traditional healthcare models routinely leave unaddressed.

Key takeaways

• Donaldson operates across three distinct pillars (Surgical, Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) to create a level of personalized care integration that is uncommon in any market
• The practice addresses root causes of both health and cosmetic concerns, rather than masking symptoms or chasing isolated results
• Board-certified plastic surgeons and a double board-certified functional medicine physician collaborate to directly enhance patient outcomes
• Donaldson’s approach to surgery emphasizes natural results, responsible tissue handling and reduced reliance on opioids during recovery
• The practice has an active community presence in Central Ohio, while also focusing on high-quality patient education that spans nationwide

A Vision That Most Practices Never Pursue

Built on a Belief That Appearance and Wellness Are Inseparable

Founder and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson set out to build an unconventional practice. His goal was to lower the barrier of access to hyper-personalized care. 

And he wanted to do it by bringing together disciplines that most healthcare organizations keep siloed.

“We can offer a breadth of services spanning many aspects of healthcare that are often overlooked by hospitals and traditional medical offices,” Dr. Donaldson has said, “such as perimenopausal hormone optimization, holistic fertility, gut health restoration, supplement recommendations, sexual wellness and longevity plans — in addition to comprehensive surgical and non-surgical solutions for aging and appearance.”

That philosophy separates Donaldson from many plastic surgery practices. Every new integration is intentional and clinical. 

The Functional Medicine Division: Credibility at the Core

In 2022, Dr. Marguerite Weston joined Donaldson with a clear mandate: build a functional medicine division in Columbus, Ohio, that met the same clinical standard the surgical team had already set.

She had no interest in replicating what was already out there. Too many wellness practices operate on ambiguous clinical standards, leaning heavily on supplements and surface-level assessments. Dr. Weston came to build something different.

Double board-certified in Family and Sports Medicine, IFM-certified, and a functional medicine patient herself, she understood the gap she was being asked to close because she had personally experienced it.

Her Team Continues to Expand. And So Does Its Areas of Expertise. 

In four years, she grew the division from a single provider into a seven-person team spanning dietetics, hormone health, gut health, fertility optimization and medical weight management. Every hire reflects her philosophy: patients deserve real answers, delivered by providers who take the time to find them.

Dr. Weston has been recognized as a Top Doctor by Columbus Monthly every year since 2019. She is a regular presence at community health events across Central Ohio, from menopause conferences at The Ohio State University to small-format weight management discussions at local breweries. She meets patients where they are — philosophically and quite literally.

Cross-Pillar Collaboration: Where the Model Proves Itself

The most distinctive aspect of Donaldson’s model is what happens when its vast array of services interacts.

When an aesthetics patient’s acne fails to respond to standard topical protocols, Dr. Weston’s team steps in. They investigate hormonal root causes, order targeted testing and develop a plan that addresses what skincare alone cannot reach. 

The medspa and functional medicine teams are actively connected for the wellness of each patient.

Surgical Patients Also Benefit From This Integration 

Pre-operatively, the functional medicine team helps ensure a patient’s body is physically prepared for surgery in an effort to minimize complication risk and support a faster recovery. Post-operatively, they work with patients on the lifestyle factors that protect and extend their results long-term.

This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration is rare in any practice. At Donaldson, it is the standard.

A Different Standard for Surgical Care

Donaldson’s surgical philosophy reinforces the same patient-first principles that drive the functional medicine division.

Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Donaldson and Dr. Michelle Sieffert treat tissue responsibly during every procedure. This deliberate approach results in a safe procedure, more comfortable recoveries and outcomes that are sustained over time. The practice actively works to reduce opioid reliance during recovery, with pain management protocols planned proactively rather than reactively.

An Emphasis on Natural Results, Not Dramatic Alterations

Donaldson providers are not afraid to say no to a treatment that is unnecessary, potentially unsafe or simply not right for that patient. No commissions. No competing incentives. The only measure is whether the recommendation serves the individual in front of them.

Experience the Difference Between “Required Healthcare” & “Desired Healthcare”

Donaldson Plastic Surgery represents a movement that’s quite difficult to build: a practice where surgical excellence, aesthetic expertise and functional medicine operate as a unified whole rather than isolated services.

For patients throughout Ohio and beyond who have felt underserved by conventional care — or who are simply looking for a higher standard — Donaldson offers a comprehensive, credentialed alternative.