The pursuit of excellence

By Nina Polien Light

Considering a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or eyebrow lift? Dr. Paul Vanek, FACS, of Vanek Plastic Surgery can certainly do that. But he is going to get to know you as a person before agreeing to it.

“The pursuit of excellence is energizing,” he says of his profession. “The pursuit of perfection is demoralizing. Nobody can turn the number back on your birthday. I help make people feel and look better without changing who they are.”

To that end, Dr. Vanek places what he calls a “transcendent value” on every patient. That means he spends ample time educating every woman (and, increasingly, man) on all available methods to address his or her concerns (whether cosmetic or resulting from a medical condition), uses advanced imaging software to illustrate how the patient will look post-procedure, and thoroughly outlines recovery time, risks, the potential for scars, cost, and patient fears.

He also discusses the emotional side of any changes that a patient may wish to initiate, including the recovery sequence, and how the eventual outcomes will affect them in the future.  Dr. Vanek and his staff show and explain before-and-after photographs of actual patients who have experienced the same procedures, to allow for realistic comparisons and expectations.

“I want to help every patient make an informed decision,” Dr. Vanek says, adding that he distributes information booklets outlining procedures and refers people to his website to view before and after photos of his actual patients. “I try to establish a good relationship with every patient, so he or she can decide mindfully whether to make a change.”

To patients with budgetary constraints, he sometimes suggests more cost-effective solutions, such as combining two procedures or holding off on one that may not yield the most dramatic results. He assures patients that he will be accessible to them after their procedure and that all follow-ups—including one the day after surgery—are included.

Dr. Vanek developed his compassion for people and an interest in medicine, in part, after his father suffered a traumatic brain injury and the younger Vanek witnessed how surgery could save a person’s life, yet alter it so dramatically. This perception was confirmed when Dr. Vanek trained as a trauma surgeon. Certainly repairing wounds sustained in accidents or removing tumors provided miraculous outcomes. But the resulting disfigurement often lowered a person’s self-esteem or impaired his ability to participate in activities.

“As a young medical student, I saw the magical things surgeons were doing, particularly in wound healing, flap-and-tissue repositioning, and biotech,” says Dr. Vanek, himself a biochemist. “It was alluring to me.”

Plastic surgery also appealed to his creative side. He is a classical trumpet player, accomplished photographer, and artist. (Check out the stained glass in his office’s entryway.)

“I saw how I could have an impact by utilizing my skills to help people look better and feel better while helping them reach their aesthetic goals,” he says.

Dr. Vanek performs a variety of procedures ranging from Botox injections, to Forever Young (facial rejuvenation laser), to liposuction (shaping a variety of body areas), to breast augmentations and Mommy Makeovers…for enhanced physical appearance, and very often, enhanced emotional confidence.

After working with the developer, conducting studies, and publishing his results in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Vanek brought VaserLipo liposuction to Ohio. The procedure allows him to gently and permanently treat cellulite by removing fat and smoothing out bumps.

Among the other procedures Dr. Vanek performs are his Mommy Makeover package—a series of procedures that restore some physical attributes to close to pre-childbirth condition—face and neck lifts, rhinoplasty, ear pinning, breast augmentation or reconstruction, Forever Young laser treatments, and scar and skin repair.

“I’m always vetting new technologies,” he adds. “If I know there’s a procedure coming out in the next year or two that will be a better fit for a patient, I may advise waiting or finding a way of temporizing the situation.”

Dr. Vanek, who opened his practice in 1996, is one of an elite group of plastic surgeons who is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and the American Board of Surgery. He also serves as chief of surgery at Lake Health.

“My peer surgeons at Lake Health selected me for this leadership position because they know I’m dedicated to excellence,” he says. “It’s tremendous validation. Patients can trust me when it’s their time for plastic surgery.”

In addition to his successful practice, Dr. Vanek gives back to the community both at home and abroad. He was recently chairman of United Way of Lake County’s annual campaign. He also served as a field surgeon in Haiti and travelled with his family to El Salvador to assist with a latrine project and clinic in the jungle. Future plans include assisting in an eye clinic there. Wherever he volunteers, Dr. Vanek pays his own way.

“I just want to help people look and feel better,” he says. “That’s all.”

Dr. Paul Vanek is double board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and the American Board of Surgery. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Thanks to a patient financing program, people do not have to wait for services. His office, easily accessible from I-90, is located at 9485 Mentor Avenue, Suite 100, in Mentor. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, call 440-205-5750, or visit PaulVanekMD.com. View the gallery on his site to see striking before and after photos.