Interview with Dr. Vanesa Lovětínská, Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Lovětínská, what was the driving force behind your decision to become a doctor, specifically a plastic surgeon?
The TV series Chicago Hope and my mother, who wanted me to become a plastic surgeon to fix her when she got older. It sounds absurd, but that’s how it happened. However, my journey to plastic surgery was a long one.
I always knew I wanted to pursue a surgical field, and plastic surgery appealed to me as a challenge that allowed me to use my artistic and aesthetic sensibility while also offering the opportunity to help patients recover from injuries and return to normal life, as well as helping them regain self-confidence and self-love through cosmetic procedures.
You’ve also participated in foreign missions and internships. How does our aesthetic medicine compare to the rest of the world?
Aesthetic medicine in the Czech Republic strives to keep up with global trends. However, the development of new techniques and materials is happening so quickly that in order to stay in step with the cosmetic powerhouses, it requires constant education through congresses, workshops, international internships, and reading professional literature.
Some people still have reservations about aesthetic medicine. How is it different today compared to the past?
Today, thanks to social media, people are not afraid to talk about plastic surgery, quite the opposite. Various media outlets are saturated with these topics. Personally, I completely understand those who reject these procedures, and if these individuals are happy with themselves, that’s great. On the other hand, I’ve encountered many stories where my clients were genuinely troubled by a physical flaw that also affected their emotional well-being, and after undergoing surgery, they became more confident, some even more successful, and generally happier in life. There’s nothing more beautiful than being able to offer this to your patients. That’s why I love my job. Unfortunately, it’s still somewhat overlooked that plastic surgery is also a vital reconstructive field, which really helps people, especially those who have suffered severe injuries or undergone oncological treatments.
What procedures are most sought after by your clients?
There has long been a high demand for breast surgery – enlargements, reductions, and shape corrections. Other popular procedures include abdominoplasty, liposuction, and facial surgeries, especially upper and lower eyelid surgery. In recent years, I’ve noticed a huge boom in treatments for intimate areas, likely because people are finally not afraid to talk about these topics.
What would you recommend to those who have aesthetic concerns but are still hesitant or embarrassed?
There are many websites dedicated to the topic of aesthetic surgery. There are also groups where patients discuss different procedures and share both positive and negative experiences. However, what I really recommend is consulting an expert, even multiple ones, and comparing their views on the issue. Unofficial sources can provide a lot of distorted information, which might not align with what the patient truly needs. When clients come to me for a consultation, they almost always feel their nerves dissipate because I try to be very human and approachable. Plus, I’ve seen so many cases that nothing really surprises me anymore 🙂
Have you ever encountered something in your work that has affected you emotionally?
I constantly encounter touching stories, many of them unfortunately sad, especially in the context of reconstructive surgery during my work at the hospital. What makes me happy, however, is the fact that, for the most part, my colleagues and I are able to help these people and get them back on track with their lives.