The Quatela Center at Lindsay House functions like a mini campus encompassing four distinct area of elective surgery: (1) cosmetic surgery for the face, (2) cosmetic surgery for the body and breast, (3) hair transplantation and restoration and (4) nonsurgical options through the spa services. For those who choose the nonsurgical route, Q- the Medical Spa at Lindsay House offers a variety of medically supervised options for face and body care. The highly trained staff assures patients excellent care and confidentiality in a comfortable setting. No detail is overlooked- such as a well-placed, isolated waiting area located near a side entrance to insure the privacy and comfort of post-operative patients. The elegant carriage house adjacent to the Lindsay House is available for patients to recover in a supervised setting on their first post-operative night if they choose.
Historical Setting- The Lindsay House
Located among other stately mansions along Rochester's East Avenue, The Lindsay House was built in 1878 by Alexander Miller Lindsay for his wife and seven children. The house remained in the Lindsay family until 1940, when it was donated to The Health Association and used for various community services. When Dr. Quatela acquired the mansion in 1992, he worked alongside the architect and designers who helped with the renovation. Today, the Lindsay House with its classic rooms, furniture and gardens reflects the beauty of the original structure.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Quatela is internationally recognized as an expert in facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty, and many of his patients travel great distances to seek out his expertise. Dr. Quatela graduated from the University of Rochester, and completed his medical training at Northwestern University in Chicago, doing specialized training in otolaryngology at Tulane University and University of Oregon. For 13 years, he served as a clinical professor at the University of Rochester Medical School, while managing a solo practice. As an AAFPRS Fellow Preceptor, he offers a yearly fellowship program to surgical residents in facial plastic surgery. A prolific writer and speaker, he travels widely and continues to enjoy the teaching and mentoring aspect of his profession. He says "My passions are anything three-dimensional and what I love to do carries over into everything else- whether it's surgery, architecture, writing or lecturing. I have a photographic memory that allows me to visualize something well before I'm done with it. I approach working on faces with a distinct picture in my mind, and I'm not happy unless it turns out the way I envision it."
Regarding the recent media spotlight on the cosmetic surgery industry, Dr. Quatela believes that" nobody should be made to feel that they should have any kind of cosmetic surgery. Patients are very vulnerable…..and this is an area where you need to be careful. It's not important what I see, but what they see. I ask a patient, 'If we can change only one thing, what would that be?' and I make sure we address what is most important to that patient." Over the past five years, the Quatela Center has incorporated technology that makes it much easier for both the patient and doctors to see a "morphed" image of the outcome. Using Mirror imaging software, each patient who comes in for an initial image enhancement session is able to see a morphed image of his or herself before and after proposed surgery. With facial rejuvenation and facial contouring procedures, "we are able to get 98 percent of what is drawn, 98 percent of the time" explains Ms. Brooke Laundry, Dr. Quatela's patient care coordinator.
Dr. William Koenig joined the Quatela Center in 2003 and handles the body contouring aspect of the practice. Moving from his home state of Pennsylvania, he previously worked at the Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, PA. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, he did general surgery training at Hartford Hospital and a plastic surgery fellowship at Northwestern University. He is board certified in general surgery and plastic surgery. Koenig has served in the United States Air Force, and as assistant professor of Surgery at S.U.N.Y/Upstate Medical University Campus in Syracuse, NY. The most common procedures he performs are liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, body and tummy tucks, and reconstruction after massive weight loss.
Asked about the challenges of his practice, he says, "With so much media attention on cosmetic surgery, people develop unrealistic expectations as to what can be done with surgery. Surgeons need to educate patients as to what is reasonable and what is safe. When it comes to body contouring surgery, many factors besides the surgery need to be considered- nutrition, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are keys to success. It makes no sense to perform surgery without having all those elements in place; otherwise excellent results cannot be achieved. We focus on wellness and quality of life- our staff is dedicated to this philosophy."
Innovation and Safety
The surgeons and staff at the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery are fully dedicated to cosmetic surgery, and focus on trying to improve the experience and end result for their patients. In this atmosphere, innovation comes naturally. The entire practice is organized using the "unique method" model, whereby every action and process is thought out, organized and methodized. This organization method makes the practice very efficient, as well as enhancing patient safety- its number one priority. New procedures are regularly evaluated, developed and implemented by the staff. Recent innovations have addressed patient comfort and rapid return to normal activity after surgery. Nonsurgical methods for face and body enhancement are constantly being evaluated in order to offer the newest technology and maximize results.
Humanitarian Efforts
Cosmetic surgical expertise at the Quatela Center extends beyond the boundaries of Rochester, NY. Inspired by his past experience of working on other medical missions, Dr. Quatela established a nonprofit organization called the HUGS (Help Us Give Smiles) Foundation, Inc. in 2003. The foundation's primary purpose is to deliver medical care to children and adolescents suffering from a wide array of physical and congenital deformities in other parts of the world. "HUGS is a passion of mine. It's good to have that experience, because we take so much for granted. Both of my parents were an important influence on me in terms of service and what they could do for the church." Last year, a medical mission team comprised of volunteer professionals served in Quito, Ecuador.
Dr. Koenig was attracted to mission work early in his career, and has served all over Central America, South America and the Philippines. "I started when I was a chief resident and got hooked," he says. He has participated in medical missions for 10 years. Last year, his family joined him on a mission to the Philippines, and it was an eye-opening experience for his children. "Children born with deformities are often hidden by their families and do not go to school. It breaks your heart to look at your own children and see how full their lives have been, and see kids who've been isolated and shunned from birth. The missions are very fulfilling work and a really exciting thing to do. With one hour of surgery, you can truly change the life of a child. You have to make the time and effort, but it's worth it," he says.
Towards the Future
The Quatela Center has expanded its operations from Lindsay House to another surgical facility located at the Linden Oaks Medical Campus in Rochester. "As we grow, I want to treat the whole patient and to provide more than just an excellent result. The patient should have the experience of being treated at the right place; whether it's the removal of a tiny mole or something more complex, we hope to create value." Dr. Koenig adds, "Staying ahead of the curve is our challenge so we can offer our patients better results and make a positive impact on their lives." So far, so good- quality and high standards define this dedicated group at the Quatela Center at Lindsay House.