Georgi traveled 800 miles to Vanek Plastic Surgery to receive a bilateral mastectomy and a breakthrough Breast Reconstruction procedure after being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

Dr. Paul Vanek: My name is Paul Frank Vanek Jr., MD, FACS. I’m a board certified plastic surgeon, and a board certified general surgeon. My philosophy of care is to be available to patients, to provide them the best care I could give. I have a team approach with my hospital staff, with my office staff. I think I integrate the elements of personalized care with technological ability and availability of modern techniques.

Georgi: My name is Georgi. I live in Osceola, Wisconsin. That’s about 45 minutes northeast of Minneapolis. My daughters are 19 and 24, and we are the three musketeers. I mean, we’re so incredibly tight. I called them to come home. They came home in tears. I had told them, and I just had to lighten it up somehow, so I named the thing Earl. My tumor’s name is Earl, and we sing the Dixie Chicks song, Goodbye Earl, to it.

I had a spot that was tender and I was suspicious about, so I went in to get a mammogram. I got a phone call the next day saying, you need to come back for an ultrasound. During the ultrasound they said, “We need to do a biopsy.” Two days later, got the phone call from the radiologist. She just said, “You have cancer. We’re waiting for the test to come back.” She expressed her condolences and that was about it.

Dr. Paul Vanek: Hey Georgi.

Georgi’s a sweet person I met some years ago. She contacted me for some advice on breast reconstruction. It’s a very emotional thing to get a new diagnosis of breast cancer. My discussion with her was specifically about how we’re going to manage not only her cancer, but how to reconstruct her in a way that really makes her happy.

Georgi: You get a diagnosis like this and you just sit and think, “What in the world is the right thing to do?” It has been a godsend for Dr. Vanek to tell me, “It’s going to be okay. And this is what we need to do for you,” and to explain everything and how it’s going to impact my life.

I am so active, I think the thing that is the most frightening about everything I’m going through right now is the fact that I’m going to have to sit for awhile. I ride cutting horses, and reined cow horses, which is like a performance type horse. It’s very intense, and a lot of core muscle, and a lot of upper body muscle.

Dr. Paul Vanek: When Georgi talked to me about what her physical requirements were, riding a horse, running through barrels. Getting on and off a horse is very strenuous. One of the things that came to my mind is it sounds like she’s a perfect candidate for a prepectoral single-stage breast reconstruction. Why prepec Alloderm breast reconstruction is such an exciting thing for me as a surgeon is I don’t have to watch my patients undergo the painful expansion. The pain is a big thing for patients, and leads many of them to choose completely nothing except the mastectomy and no reconstruction.

Prepectoral means I’m putting the implant and Alloderm above the muscle, and that eliminates the very feature that is called an animation defect, by reinforcing the soft tissues of the mastectomy flaps. Putting the gel direct implant in a single stage, they’re back in business with their incisions healed in a few weeks.

Georgi: The fact that it was direct implant, the fact that it was prepectoral and not under the pectoral muscle, and the fact that it was nipple sparing, those were the three things that were super important to me.

Dr. Paul Vanek: I encouraged her to actually come see me and explore the possibility of her doing the surgery with me even though she lives quite far away.

I think that’s a doable surgery.

Georgi: The thing that drew me here was the fact that I could do this direct implant thing, and I could get back to my life in a timely manner. Also, it was Dr. Vanek.

Dr. Vanek is an amazing, caring, human being. He has put my desires first as to what’s important to me. He’s made it clear that the cancer comes first, but also it’s important that I feel good about how I look when I’m done. He’s been amazing.

Dr. Paul Vanek: After we talked over her options in exquisite detail, she’s going to have a single operation for the oncology portion of her breast cancer treatment, and at the same time undergo an immediate breast reconstruction using the material that gets incorporated into their body, get recvascularized as their own tissue, and it reinforces their implant reconstruction.

Georgi: I’ve just completely put my faith in God and Dr. Vanek, and all the people that are praying for me. I just am hoping that I can just take this tumor that I call Earl and never think about it again.

Speaker 5: You’ve got your horses in mind? You ready for your good dream?

Georgi: Yep.

Dr. Paul Vanek: When Georgi undergoes her breast cancer operation, while she’s going to sleep, she’s going to have a board certified anesthesiologist administer her medication. I’ll be there holding her hand when she goes to sleep. All through the entire procedure, she’ll have my entire team taking care of her and being mindful about her care.

She’s a patient that is likely to be able to go right to prepec with Alloderm reinforcement, and then insert the implants that I pre-sized.

I’ll be able to go to the operating room, and with the plan of taking out her breast and her tumor on her right side, and then at the same time using a [senti-probe 00:05:12] to remove the single lymph node that is closest to her tumor. We test that, of course, for cancer, and that’ll determine whether she needs radiation or chemotherapy.

After that oncologic procedure’s done, we do her left side in a simple mastectomy. Thereafter, we do her bilateral prepectoral breast reconstruction. We use a material that’s called Alloderm that is a tissue reinforcement to help support her breast mastectomy flaps. We put that implant above the muscle after we reinforce the tissues of her mastectomy flaps with the Alloderm material. The Alloderm material gets vascularized and incorporated into her body, and it gives a tissue reinforcement that makes the implant more long lasting and beautiful result. Then, she’ll recover with some drain tubes in for a few days and be able to go on her way in life.

I’m very happy.

Hi. Great news, huh?

Georgi: Yes.

Dr. Paul Vanek: Yeah.

Georgi: Oh my god.

Dr. Paul Vanek: I’m so happy for you.

Georgi: I’m so happy for me too.

Dr. Paul Vanek: I really am. I’m so happy. it’s such a great day.
Georgi: You’re the best.

Dr. Paul Vanek: Thank you.

Georgi: This has changed my life. It’s renewed my faith. It’s caused me to understand that people do love and care, and do kind things. It’s been a life changer.

Dr. Paul Vanek: For women who are facing a similar breast cancer dilemma as Georgi has, they should know that they have other options. With the innovation of Alloderm as a prepectoral breast reconstruction effort, we can do a single-stage procedure at the same time as their oncologic cancer operation that will reduce their amount of recovery and get them back to their life more quickly.

Georgi: It speaks volumes that Dr. Vanek and Lake Health are doing this procedure, and no other plastic surgeons are doing it. It’s such cutting edge technology, and it makes a woman’s life so much easier. You get back to your own life in timely manner. Absolutely, I would travel 800 miles to see him again and again.

Goodbye Earl.

Q: Now that we’ve had our last baby, I’ve been interested in getting my body back in “pre-baby” shape. I’ve heard of Mommy Makeovers, but are they all done the same?

A. Typically, three procedures are included in an abdominoplasty, often called a “Mommy Makeover” – breast augmentation, tummy tuck and breast lift.

If you have excess fat in your abdomen, in addition to excess skin and sagging muscles, then an abdominoplasty would probably give you the best result.

But if your main concern is excess abdominal fat, then you’re probably a candidate for Vaser liposuction alone. This will selectively remove excess fat deposits, but it may not cause all the excess skin to shrink down. If you have excess skin already, it could appear even more loose and sagging after liposuction. With an abdominoplasty, this wouldn’t be a problem because excess skin would be removed along with excess fat. In addition, an abdominoplasty will repair weakened abdominal muscles, for a slimmer and tighter figure.

Other combinations of Mommy Makeovers

Depending on your shape, you can safely combine a tummy tuck with Vaser liposuction (lipoabdominoplasty). This “surround sound” Vaser treatment uses ultrasound energy to liquefy the fat cells selectively on the back, flanks, abdomen, and around the breast areas.

If the shape of your breasts is your concern, a breast lift will restore your breasts to a youthful position. Many women notice a loss of breast volume after childbirth and as they get older, a breast augmentation can be combined with a lift to restore volume and raise the breasts.

Combining these procedures gives you the benefit of a single anesthesia and recovery, with less downtime. To learn if you are ready for a Mommy Makeover, please call my office or visit MentorPlasticSurgery.com.

Dr. Paul Vanek MD, FACS
Vanek Plastic Surgery
9485 Mentor Ave #100
Mentor, OH 44060
440-205-5750

A personal story of my struggle finding relief from my deviated septum

I have wanted to get surgery on my nose for at least ten years but never did due to either cost or the misconception and reputation that surrounds plastic surgery. In April 2015 my story really begins when I began to suffer from horrible ear pain, sinus pressure and ringing ears. I did not know what was wrong with me. I went to my general practitioner, who found I had a sinus infection, which was followed by antibiotics but nothing helped. It only got worse. This led me to an ENT, whom I visited multiple times and had multiple tests done from allergy to hearing to figure out the problem. Finally, my ENT found I had a deviated septum, which had always been there but only had gotten worse as my body changed. The solution was surgery. However, my ENT wanted to try other routes instead and I spent almost one year with prescription strength Flonase.

June 2016 I began my search for surgery after flying on an airplane four times and suffering from the most crippling migraine ever. The nose spray had worked somewhat in 2015 in flights, but was useless by June 2016.

This jumps back to the fact I’ve never liked my nose. I started to search for a surgeon who would both be able to accomplish the medical tasks and cosmetic. I went to over five consultations. Each doctor was about money. Money, money, money. The one actually wanted me to put up $600 to book a surgery date the first consult and he never did any images to show me what I would look like after.

Finding Dr. Vanek… and the solutions for my deviated septum

Finally, without any hope I went on another trip to LA and was browsing through an inflight magazine on United. It had listed all of the best surgeons across the country based on state. Dr. Paul Vanek was ranked the top for the entire Cleveland and surrounding areas. When I got home, I made an appointment and met with them about two weeks later.

The entire staff is over the top genuinely nice. The other places I went tried to be gimmicky. They wore tight leopard print clothes, stiletto heels, and all had the same haircut and bad attitude to match. Dr. Vanek’s office was an amazing experience. It’s like talking with close friends. They want you to be happy, it’s not about the money, it is not about pushing you into any other surgeries, it is about focusing on you and your happiness. He also does not rush you.

Several consults, phone calls and back and forth on what I wanted, I finally pinned down my date for surgery. They were VERY patient with me and never rushed me. They didn’t force any crazy fee on me to book a room and reserve a date without seeing pictures first. They just want you to be comfortable and to be happy.

The rhinoplasty surgery was a breeze!

On Dec 29, 2016 I had a rhinoplasty to fix my nose cosmetically and medically so I can breathe (WHICH I CAN)!  I can breathe out of both sides of my nose now. My ears are no longer congested either and so far, no headaches. The surgery for both took about four and half to five hours. I also had my chin fitted with an implant. On top of Dr. Vanek’s amazing service, the Mentor Surgical Center which is in the same complex as his building is also very professional, courteous and so kind and warm. They made what should have been nerve wracking, comforting.

I did not have any pain when I was done. You can take pain meds, but I didn’t need to. Yes, it was that painless. No, I’m not lying. I did not take a single pain pill during the five days you have to wear the cast.

I did take two pain pills the day they take the splints out of your nose which he told me to. He was right, that part sucked.

I did not bruise at all. I am fair skinned and blue eyed and did not suffer any bruising. My nose was everything I wanted. My chin is still a bit swollen but that takes about a month to finally show you the full results.

I am writing this post on day 8. I breathe! My chin isn’t tight, and I’m back to eating.

Just know recovery is sort of rough if you get medical done. You will bleed more than if it is just cosmetic. You’ll be congested and won’t be able to taste food. But it is ALL WORTH IT.

I definitely recommend Dr. Vanek. I didn’t receive any compensation for this review. This is ALL FROM the heart.

Anthony P. | Chardon, OH
5.0 star rating 1/6/2017

“We respect you.We appreciate your beauty.We value who you are. We’re committed to help women feel more beautiful, and we often help women discover that the most beautiful part about themselves… is on the inside.”
— Dr. Paul Vanek

Today, there are more breast plastic surgery options than ever to correct or enhance the aesthetic appearance of women’s breasts. For your convenience, we put together a quick checklist of descriptions, so you can find which is your best option. Each has a link to more detailed information.

Breast Reconstruction surgery

Breast Reconstruction surgery is the most gratifying procedure that I perform because it renews the self-confidence and self-image of women who have faced breast cancer. It is the very reason I became a plastic surgeon. After your private examination and consultation, we will discuss your options and agree on which procedure can give you the best results.

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation is one of my specialties, and I have become highly proficient at performing them daily for patients from across Ohio and other states. I undertake this procedure with a precision that translates into less recovery time and more satisfaction for my patients. As a biochemist and researcher, I participated in FDA studies on implant safety.

Breast Lift

Breast Lift. More and more women who have had children, whose breast volume decreased through pregnancy or weight loss, or who experience considerable sagging desire a more youthful breast appearance using their own tissue.

Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction usually involve patients with a body shape they don’t want. These patients often return after surgery and tell me, “I am so much more comfortable in my own skin. I can exercise. I can wear clothes I want. I can be physical in a way I never thought I could.” Those are the times my profession feels most rewarding.

Breast Revision

Breast Revision is challenging because the first issue is the emotional disappointment that has grown within the patient when they were promised an outcome that wasn’t achieved. I specialize in breast surgery correction for women unhappy with the results of prior breast augmentations, lifts and reductions by other plastic surgeons.

Breast Asymmetry

Breast Asymmetry means that one of your breasts doesn’t look like the other. If you have uneven breasts, one different in size or projection than the other, you might be relieved to know that about 90% of women have this problem. Major asymmetric breasts occur in one out of every 20 women. I can relieve this condition for you.

---

Dr. Paul Vanek, MD FACS is double-board certified and renowned for his surgical artistry. He is Chief of Surgical Staff for Lake Health. Since 1996, he has transformed hundreds of lives with breast reconstruction, lifts, reductions, revisions and asymmetry. This vast experience has given him an aesthetic sense for the beauty that women want to achieve – to renew their self-confidence and revitalize their spirit and zest for life! Call 440-205-5750 or contact us to schedule your no-obligation, confidential consultation.

Original article published 10/26/2016 in MimiVanderhaven
by Patricia Nugent

---

When Melanie M.’s husband dropped the news that he was planning to buy a mint-condition Mustang, she took it well, announcing with delicious payback that she would finally be going through with the liposuction she had been considering for years.

“I was tired of wearing baggy clothes to hide my pouchy tummy, which had expanded above and below the waist over the years (and two pregnancies) and refused to respond to the amount of crunches I did,” she says.

The vivacious 50-something asked her friends who the best plastic surgeon was in the area and Dr. Paul Vanek’s name kept coming up.

Tailor-Made Treatment

Dr. Vanek immediately zeroed in on Melanie’s zany sense of humor and the two were joking back and forth during the first appointment.

“We genuinely laughed a lot, which made me more at ease,” she recalls. “Although I thought I was only interested in liposuction, Dr. Vanek showed me that lipo alone would not give me the results I wanted. I looked at many before-and-after photos and he explained exactly what would happen during the procedure.”

Dr. Vanek says that in her case, customizing a mix of Vaser Lipo on the sides and back (love handles) and a tummy tuck to remove fat, tighten skin and reconnect muscle tissues would produce the all-over sculpted results she desired.

He is proud to be the first to bring Vaser Lipo to the area, as it is less traumatic to the body than traditional lipo. First, Dr. Vanek injects a tumescent fluid to minimize bleeding and provide comfort when the patient wakes post-surgery. The fat deposits are broken up by an ultrasonic pulse and then gently suctioned out through a tiny cannula that leaves a minuscule scar of less than four millimeters.

She had the procedure on a Friday, stayed overnight in the hospital, then after having the drains removed was already going out to lunch and shopping with her girlfriends by the next Tuesday.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with my new flat, muscular stomach,” Melanie says. “It even makes my breasts appear perkier. The initial incision, which I called my ‘happy face,’ left a faint scar that has faded to almost nothing. I went from a size 10 to a size 8, and my posture has improved as well, no more sucking in my stomach. It’s like turning back the clock on my tummy to before I had children.”

One of the nicest benefits of lipo and tummy tucks is that once fat cells are gone, they’re gone. Patients can reasonably expect to keep their shape as long as they continue whatever lifestyle they had before.

“I’ve seen lipo patients come back 10 and 20 years after a procedure and still look the same as the day I performed it,” says Dr. Vanek.

Massage Rx Heals Body and Spirit

Melanie reports one of the best parts of her experience was the package of 10 deep tissue massages after the procedure.

Says Cosmetic Coordinator Mary Jo Somich, “We prescribe massage with our medical massotherapist for all body contouring packages, because on a medical level it softens tissue and reduces edema. Just as importantly, on a personal level it provides another layer of comfort and healing.”

A hip, youthful style is important to Melanie, who sports fuschia tweaks in her bangs and six festive tattoos on her body. Being able to wear a smoking hot bikini this summer after decades of one-piece swimwear was an unexpected treat. And as an avid golfer, she feels much fitter and leaner out on the links.

“It’s hard to describe how amazing it feels to go out without Spanx now, and no more only wearing clothes that will hide my tummy, either,” she says. “Form-fitting apparel actually looks fabulous; the shapelier the better.”

Most Advanced Body Contouring

In addition to tummy tucks, Dr. Vanek is always bringing new advancements in body contouring to the area for patients to realize the body they’ve been dreaming of.

“Whether it’s jiggly thighs or a flat backside, there’s no longer any reason for someone to stay unhappy with their body,” says Mary Jo. “New methods of liposuction allow Dr. Vanek to take cellulite management and redistribution of fat to the next level. For instance, he can remove fat from thighs or a muffin top and use it to plump lips, create a curvier booty or even add lift to sagging breasts.”

For Melanie, the experience went beyond rediscovering a flat, toned stomach.

“Everyone in Dr. Vanek’s office treated me like family,” she says. “For Christmas last year, I even bought the staff a case of wine, as I thought they all deserved thanks and cheer.”

She says next on the horizon in the body revitalization department will be a tightening of her neck area, and she wouldn’t go to anyone other than Dr. Vanek.

Dr. Paul Vanek is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Chief of Staff at Lake Health. His offices are located at 9485 Mentor Avenue, Suite 100, in Mentor. For more information, call 440-205-5750 or visit MentorPlasticSurgery.com.

Q: I’m a Millennial, and I’m curious about my generation. Do we get plastic surgery?

For other readers’ awareness, today’s Millennials are aged 19-35, and are the largest U.S. generation at 75.4 million. Obviously there are still more adults over 35 than Millennials, and older people have more reasons to consider plastic surgery. But I have many patients in this age group, and I researched American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery data for you.

What is the most popular plastic surgery procedure amongst Millennials?

This generation’s most popular surgical procedure is breast augmentation. It is first despite only pertaining to women because it is performed for cosmetic reasons, or to restore shape and size after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss, or to restore breasts after surgery, such as after cancer.

The 2nd and 3rd surgeries for Millennials can be for men and women

At #2 is Liposuction, which may surprise some that so many young adults have the need for this surgery at their age. Next popular is rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, which can be performed for cosmetic reasons or to correct impaired breathing.

Female breast reduction, medically known as reduction mammoplasty, is the 4th most popular procedure among Millennials, and perhaps it is an indicator of these younger women’s perception of beauty, especially when it causes some discomfort, such as back pain. Incidentally, male breast reduction is also highly popular among Millennials. Their 5th most popular cosmetic surgery corrects the shape, size or position of ears for men and women.
Whatever statistics show, plastic surgery remains a personal decision for everyone at any age. Visit my website to see our before-and-after photo galleries, and call my office if you would like a confidential consultation.

Contact us to set up your own consultation or answer any question you may have.

Dr. Paul Vanek MD, FACS
Vanek Plastic Surgery
9485 Mentor Ave #100
Mentor, OH 44060
440-205-5750

Q: I have a lady friend who I think would like plastic surgery. Is it appropriate for me to pay for it?

This may be one of the most interesting questions ever asked in this column. From a purely logistic standpoint, we have had people pay for other people’s procedures quite commonly. We treat such patients as we would any others, with a private consultation to determine their vision and goals. Then we explain how we could realistically achieve what they want. After discussing their best action plan, our services begin and payment would be made – generously by someone else, like you, on their behalf.

Moral implications of gifting plastic surgery

I sense you are asking about the moral aspects of your action, which I believe, is entirely personal between the two of you. It is highly dependent on key factors, such as your present and anticipated future relationship, and your financial positions. My recommendation is that you do not give this gift to her without first having a thorough discussion about why you are doing so, including your expectations, if any.

Plastic surgery is a personal issue

You may also be concerned for the sensitivity of suggesting that your friend wants or needs plastic surgery. I strongly advise that you wait until after she talks about wanting it before you approach the topic. Perhaps you may want to get the ball rolling by giving her a gift certificate to our office, which she could use for non-surgical procedures such as facials and massages, or fillers and injectables. Once she visits our office, she may then talk with you about having more involved procedures. Good Luck!

Contact us to set up your own consultation or answer any question you may have.

Dr. Paul Vanek MD, FACS
Vanek Plastic Surgery
9485 Mentor Ave #100
Mentor, OH 44060
440-205-5750

Congratulations! A number of my patients have endured great sacrifice, and/or undergone gastric bypass surgery to lose a lot of weight. After this major improvement to their appearance and health, they decided that they were not satisfied with any solution to their sagging excess skin except body and face contouring surgery. There often were health issues also, as they experienced infections and painful rashes where skin folded and rubbed together, such as in the abdomen, thighs and arms.

It is important that your weight be stabilized before undergoing any procedures. If you are still losing weight or balancing your ideal weight, you may do research and choose your doctor, but it is premature to have surgery.

Options for dealing with sagging skin

Depending on your particular conditions, you may choose a total body-lift. This includes a lower body-lift (also called a circumferential body-lift) with tummy-tuck, lateral thigh-lift and buttock-lift or augmentation. The upper body-lift (also called an upper trunk-lift) includes an arm-lift, and removing excess skin below the armpits. Women may also choose a breast-lift or breast-augmentation. If you have a large amount of excess skin on your neck or face, we can also discuss those lifts.  I strongly recommend these be done in stages, to minimize risk of complication.

You may find a Bariatric Surgeon who offers to do some of these procedures. While you may research this option, most patients choose a plastic surgeon to put the “finishing touch” on their transformation. With the amount of attention you will get from family and friends, you will want minimal evidence that you underwent these procedures.

Contact us to set up your own consultation or answer any question you may have.

Dr. Paul Vanek MD, FACS
Vanek Plastic Surgery
9485 Mentor Ave #100
Mentor, OH 44060
440-205-5750