The profession of plastic surgeon is Katja Puumanen’s calling. What attracts her to plastic surgery is the versatility, challenge, responsibility and working with her hands, which requires not only knowledge and experience, but also skill and care.
Katja moved to the private sector in 2010 after working in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) for almost 20 years, including as a breast cancer plastic surgeon. Breast surgery is one of Katja’s strong areas of expertise and she enjoys the work, be it reduction, augmentation, asymmetry or shape correction. Katja says her favourite surgery is breast reduction: “The patient satisfaction is very high. At their follow-up appointment, almost every one of my patients wonders why they did not come in for surgery sooner.”
Katja also performs injections with skill and a keen eye for aesthetics—many satisfied patients have become her regular clients. Patient care relationships that often last for years mean that the treatment of facial changes related to ageing can move from injections to surgical procedures, such as upper eyelid surgery, if necessary. In injections and surgeries, Katja always strives for a natural, harmonious and aesthetically optimal outcome, taking into account the patient’s individual starting point and wishes.
Katja is also experienced in body contouring with liposuction, scar surgery and fatty tumour removal. Patient safety is of paramount importance to her in everything she does. It is also essential that the patient has enough information about the surgery or treatment they are undergoing, including possible risks and complications.
Responsible and attentive, Katja is known as an empathetic surgeon who listens to and focuses on the patient and their problem in a holistic way. Patients have praised her ability to explain treatment options analytically, but in plain language.
“The most rewarding part of my job is meeting patients and the fact that, in most cases, I can help them with my skills. A satisfied patient at follow-up is the essence of this profession.”