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While reading 'The Needle and the Damage done' following in the footsteps of Patrick Treacy, he offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself living in rural Ireland through the hardest time the country was ever to see to travelling the world and becoming the worlds number one aesthetic practitioner. Treacy is a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations of the many adventures he been on through his life. Being present when the Berlin wall came down to the glamorous life of a surgeon on a prestigious cruise line to being held captive by Sudan Hussein. Using the narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of aesthetic medicine and how through his own research that it was grown within modern society today. The writer brings you on the epic journey of his life that is steeped in travel, love, adventure, politics and the world of medicine and how it had developed as aesthetic medicine which today roars through modern society.
Patrick Treacys poignant memoir The Needle and the Damage done is gripping page turner and I truly felt as if I was on a rollercoaster like journey reading this book full of excitement, wonderful experience steeped in optimism, risk and sheer excitement. As well as giving me a wonderful sense of determination and persistence, I also got an insight into the more enduring times in his life as he faced many trials and tribulations in his early life as a boy growing up in the height of the troubles in northern Ireland and the journey as a young Doctor who later becomes the best aesthetic doctor in the world.
This memoir brings us on the writers life journey as a young boy growing up to smuggling cars in Europe to raise the tuition fees to become a Doctor. Falling in love and living life to the fullest in Greece and Germany as a young man to practicing medicine in New Zealand and Australia. Treacy is a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations of the many adventures he has been on. From treating the king of pop Michael Jackson as well as being held captive by Sudan Hussein.
The Narrator’s personal interactions illuminates the diversity of life and how courage can bring you on any journey you desire. It shows how life can take many turns and how with the right spirit you can do and become what your heart truly desires.
The writer looks at Aesthetic medicine as an area of continuous development and how through his own research it has developed and grown within modern society. The Needle and The Damage done is a page turner that you do not want to leave down as you just cant wait to see what adventure the next chapter brings. The writer brings you on the epic journey of his life that is steeped in travel, adventure, politics, the world of medicine that now roars through modern society.
When the writers mother passed away, he was overtaken by grief and he spent the next number of years in Ireland and focusing in his new business The Ailesbury Clinic. Grief lifts as the book progresses, and happy memories begin to eclipse the sadness as The Ailesbury Clinic which was situated on Irelands most distinguished roads, Ailesbury Road located in Dublin 4. The Ailesbury Clinic still continues to grow successfully and has won clinic of the year in Ireland and the UK repeatedly.
The book is organised into chapters that encapsulate the most adventurous and special moments were love and wonderful experience are steeped in optimism, risk and sheer excitement. The writer, as well as giving me a wonderful sense of determination and persistence, I also got an insight into the more enduring times in his life as he faced many trials and tribulations his early life and the journey as a young Doctor who later becomes the best aesthetic practitioner in the world. .
Beautiful, historic and truly breath taking photographs in the book are symbolic images are included perfectly to give an exact insight into this incredible journey that the writer has been on through his life. One features the knocking down of the Berlin wall, and others of the writer with many celebrities who he has met along the way. Others are heart felt photographs of the Doctors humanitarian work in Haiti and Africa. These photographs also function as pieces of a puzzle that is the life of Dr Patrick Treacy. Researcher, Educator, Adventurer and Doctor to many wonderful patients in Ireland and all around the world.
The Needle and The Damage done is a beautiful memoir about how life can be as much of an adventure as you want it to be as pointed out by Doctor Patrick Treacy in the stunning, gripping, informative page turner.
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Page turning autobiography
What an amazing life, Dr Treacy sounds like an amazing humanitarian and physician
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Fantastic book! It's a real page turner. Written beautifully with such engaging stories. I highly recommend this book!
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This book by Dr Treacy is a real page turner, from his eventful youth growing up during the troubles in N Ireland, his drive and determination in becoming a doctor and the path it took, to his pioneering and world class work as a leader in his medical field. The writer takes you on an adventurous journey which is one of travel, love, family, politics and humanitarianism to the development, innovation and leadership in the field of aesthetic medicine which is so prominent today. Dr Treacy’s exciting life is peppered with key world events eg being present when the Berlin wall came down, the earthquake in Haiti, his humanitarian work for underprivileged children in Africa and being held captive by Saddam Hussein, all of which have influenced his outlook and vision.
The book features his struggles along the way; his travels to Germany, Istanbul and Turkey with the sole determination of raising enough funds to put him through medical school. After qualifying, the amazing story portrays such a varied life as a medic eg being a ship’s surgeon on the Carnival Cruise lines in America, a doctor with the Royal Flying Doctors in Australia, a hospital doctor in Baghdad during the political turmoil in Iraq to his work as the top aesthetic practitioner in the world. The book is laced with photographs which demonstrate the cultural relativism of people he met in countries travelled, medical colleagues around the world and celebrities, all of whom have influenced him along the way.
Superbly written, The Needle and The Damage Done is a wonderful memoir about life and how it can be what you want if you have the determination and drive to succeed. When you read this book, you will slide down a rabbit hole of adventure, excitement, ground-breaking medical innovation and history in the making events that epitomise the intriguing and unique life that is Dr Patrick Treacy. I highly recommend you to read it.
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Dr Patrick Treacy is a gifted writer capturing many themes beautifully within his book. Anyone who has grown up in rural or small town in Ireland will relate to his account of life growing up here. This book takes the reader on fascinating adventures around the world, on the writer’s personal journey of resilience in the face of challenges and also gives insights into medical innovations in ways that are easily understood for those of us without a medical background. Patrick’s story inspires a sense of excitement about life’s possibilities & reflects the boundless potential that lies within all of us when we are willing to embrace it.
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This book is exceptional in its honesty, and inspiring for anyone who gets their hands on it. The author is eloquent and real, courageous and curious. Treacy provides a cleareyed view of the medical profession that both resonates and gives pause. In analysis, he spares no one---himself included. Science.
I rarely read memoirs. Too often the author spends far too much time painting themselves in the best possible light and/or justifying their behavior. It is a rare and gifted author that can objectively describe a personal event without infusing it with strong emotions. He describes his intense and insane mindset without previously establishing his basic personality.
This is an excellent strategy as his writing style and brief "normal" clearly defines him as an intelligent and engaging gentleman. It's incredibly well written, and the author does a remarkable job about being open and honest, in even unflattering ways, to be true to the story and to present an accurate picture of everything he went through in his life so far.
It was a page-turner--and it was also all true. A fine balance of personal story blended with real science. Loved this book; couldn't put it down, and went back to work with a renewed sense of purpose. I'm a fan. A good writer and a good doc. What more could I ask for?
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Dr. Treacy’s tales of his adventurous life inspired me and would inspire anyone who needs an inspiration in their life. He is so talented and a brilliant doctor who has a heart to help others. His desire to research and teach other doctors is really strong and he is a kind and a humble man with a heart of gold.
Dr Treacy’s story is a guide about his compassion, talent, dedication and honesty. His life experiences brought him to this level and his journey is really inspiring. Treacy is a gifted writer with insightful observations of the many adventures he been on through his life. Patrick shared his journey to become a world class dermatologist to famous international celebrities. On every page, you will see a new adventure and new achievement.
Anyone who has grown up in rural or small town in Ireland will relate to his journey. This book takes the reader on his fascinating adventures around the world. This book also gives you a deep knowledge into medical innovations in ways that are easily understood for everyone even if you are not into a medical background.
It is a highly inspirational read. It will motivate you to move forward in your life, overcoming all the obstacles life throws in your way.
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Whenever I get a chance to know about someone journey of self-transformation, I just cannot miss that opportunity. So when I came across this book, I couldn't help myself.
This book is a journey of the Author, tales of his adventures, providing a fascinating insight into the colourful life of Dr Patrick Treacy.
This book offers insights about the difficult phases of his life and how he changed his direction. He was brave, honest, determined, and a kind hearted person. After reading 30 to 40 pages, I kept my fingers crossed because I love to see new adventure on every page and guess what? It did not disappoint me! I was so happy upon reading the end and his achievements. The path he created for himself changed his life and I really learned so many positive things from his journey.
Reading about someone's struggle is very difficult for me, especially because I know I can get emotional easily. This book has my heart and RESPECT and this Author is an inspiration for me. He gave me hope, dreams, positivity, and so much motivation. His story is EXCEPTIONAL! I loved his story and marveled at his style of writing, timing, and delivery. Great job! I've enjoyed his book so much and it was heartwarming for me to know the steps he took to overcome adversities and grow into a strong, successful multi-award-winning doctor and physician to the stars.
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An engrossing memoir as well as a lively treatise on what extraordinary grace under extraordinary pressure looks like.
Dr Treacy’s book is a rollercoaster ride about his life. Through this book, you will know about his talent, hardwork, dedication and honesty. Patrick is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the difference places and to some of the folks he meets along the way. His life experiences brought him to this level and his journey is really inspiring and motivating. He’s incredibly articulate when describing the mundane moments of travel that we often glaze over in memory. It’s not just about the moments of grandeur—every little element is part of the whole experience.
Through this book, he also taught us the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone as a means to growth.
I would like to invite you all to take a copy of this one-off with you, and cultivate your sense of curiosity with every step—who knows where it might lead you?
This book will give you the push you need to face your fears and see the world all by yourself.
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This book has incredible depth. You learn about Dr. Treacy, his struggles and how he got where he is today, you learn about so many places he has “adventured” with graphic representation! Your learn about his accomplishments! This is what I’d call a complete book!
This is an extraordinary true story, I felt that I was along for the ride and I am thankful that Dr. Treacy had the forethought to journal his experiences. Intriguing and inspiring! A true story I’d not heard before but lapped up eagerly due to the author’s beautifully written narrative.
I loved this book! It’s a wonderful non-fiction account of Dr. Patrick Treacy achievements and adventures across many countries. My favourite part about this book? The pictures ofcourse! This book is filled with pictures of Dr. Patrick’s travel to so many wonderful places.
I absolutely loved this book; each day was a new adventure for me and Dr. Treacy. If you love travelling - and a thoroughly interesting story of a man's courage amid adversity - you'll love this book. You will love the adventures and you will not want to put the book down, it is that good. I recommend it.
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This book, The Needle and The Damage Done, is written by my friend Dr Patrick Treacy and tells his amazing life story, from the earlier years growing up in rural Ireland, to his later world travels. The memoir details his achievements and contributions to medicine, as well as his various humanitarian activities both in Haiti and many African countries. As a youngster, he already displayed some genius winning awards as a teenager and he was fortunate to be able to turn the dreams we discussed as children into reality, through sheer effort and dedication.
In the early chapters, he writes about his hard-working entrepreneurial parents trying to support a large Catholic family in the small border village of Garrison, N. Ireland with memories strewn around his father’s garage of broken gramophone springs and latter -day acetylene lamps. This was a period of major conflict in Fermanagh, later known to the world as ‘The Troubles’, and the writer lets us know the devastating impact this had on everyone, including himself. In later chapters, he engages the reader with adventures from his back packing travels, through Africa and the Middle East, and how these precious experiences give him a huge insight to the cultures and politics… a knowledge that I believe would entitle him to be an advisor to some of our Global Leaders. He relates to us some of the entrepreneurial activities he was forced to use to fund his medical degree, and when armed with his qualifications, some wonderful stories about the patients he later began to treat. His stories take us from a dusty trail in the dying sunset of a small African village to the arched reed houses of the Iraqi Marsh Arabs. Then he becomes a ship’s physician on the exotic Carnival Cruise Lines to being a sought-after celebrity doctor to the rich and famous. He also shares about some of his many humanitarian activities – rushing to NYC after 911 to work in the hospitals and more recently in the earthquake-stricken Haiti.
In the later chapters, he tells us about a plethora of novel techniques that he helped develop in aesthetic medicine, many of which are now used around the world by his colleagues. This research brought him many international awards and he becomes a highly acclaimed lecturer on the global stage.
This frankly written story by Dr Treacy, reminds us that with a willingness to work hard and the humility to learn from and support our fellow man, we can turn our dreams into reality and that everything is possible in the journey of life. I must conclude my review, by saying that in knowing Dr Treacy personally, I can assure his readers that in this engrossing book, he is sharing his life story, but be assured his future achievements will probably be the basis of a later novel. .
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The path to becoming a doctor is one that is increasingly tightly scripted and narrow with certain expectations to be met to both gain entry to medical school and then to succeed in one’s chosen field. His journey into medicine to become the top Aesthetic Doctor in the World is entertaining, honest, and shows what living a remarkable breadth of experiences can bring to patient care and to what it is to be a doctor. As a physician myself I believe this book has a lot to teach those who select and those who mentor others in medicine. What I absolutely love about this book is that Dr Treacy shows us the real value and importance of being open to life’s possibilities; to exploring opportunities and to have a curious, well-informed mind to be able to see the potential of innovative treatments to help people. His focus on improving outcomes from complications taught me a lot and shows a real care for people he treats and a real dedication to helping others. His humanitarian work and his clear understanding of and tireless work on how aesthetics can help those regain confidence and ability to engage with the world while or after struggling with the effects of serious illnesses is heartwarming.
He has a fascinating ability to describe the people he has met and places his life, journey has taken him and in this book his descriptions of his travels brings his readers right there with him- sharing his love of new cultures, sights and sounds and his enjoyment and celebration of diversity, and new experiences.
For people interested in aesthetics this a fascinating read. For those who discount the value aesthetics can bring to someone’s life you should read this book. I am really looking forward to Dr Treacy’s upcoming books Living History of Medicine and Living History of Aesthetic Medicine.
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Christopher Rowland Payne
The Evolution of Aesthetic Medicine. By Dr Patrick Treacey. Austin Macauley Publishers, London 2022.
Patrick Tracey is truly a pioneer of aesthetic medicine and has been personally responsible for many advances in the field. This book recounts not only his own enormous contribution but also the full story of aesthetic medicine.
Did you know that the exciting story of the discovery of cosmeceuticals begins with the Mongol Hordes and did you know that Louis Pasteur and Charles Darwin influenced the development of aesthetic botulinum?
The book begins with the history of botulinum, fillers and lasers. Then come the intriguing stories of chemical peels, fat removal, hair transplant and thread lifting. The story of vitamin D is particularly engagingly recounted. After a whirl through a number of other subjects, it ends with a well referenced bibliography.
The author‘s fluidity and style of writing are most engaging and, as one reads, one has the feeling of being in the same room with him, as if he is speaking personally to the reader.
Patrick Tracey is particularly well placed to be the one to write this story and this is clear from the photographs, which show that he has personally known many of the personalies about whom he writes.
For anyone interested in our specialty and its origins, this is a book you will want to read. It will make a perfect present for a colleague or a delightful companion on a long journey to a distant holiday or, in Patrick’s case, a long journey to another continent, another congress and indubitably another well deserved accolade presented by justifiably impressed peers.
