Founder and namesake of The Godek Center for Personal Enhancement, Dr. Christopher P. Godek is at the forefront of the plastic surgery game. Between his personal history as an artist, his dedication to his craft, and his devotion to causes such as domestic violence and breast cancer, Dr. Godek is really doing it all. Read on to hear about what inspires him, where he came from, and what’s next.

What initially inspired you to become a plastic surgeon?
I was inspired to become a plastic surgeon while spending time with a prominent plastic surgeon in Boston, Massachusetts during my time as a medical student at the Boston University School of Medicine. At that time, I learned that plastic surgery is a unique blend of both reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. During my plastic surgery training at the University of Pennsylvania, I was fortunate to spend time with many of the nation’s leaders in plastic surgery. This is where I learned how to perform adult reconstructive surgery, trauma surgery, hand surgery, cosmetic surgery and pediatric reconstructive surgery. During my time in Philadelphia, I was able to hone my surgical skills that I still use to this day.

You have a background in painting and sculpting: how does your artist’s eye impact your work?
My background in painting and sculpting has further enhanced my practice of plastic surgery. At a young age my mother taught me both watercolors and oil painting. She was and still is an incredibly talented artist. At a young age, I became very interested in painting the human face. In high school, I began to sculpt with clay. Once again focusing on the human face. I became intrigued with facial anatomy as well as the variations seen in facial features. Specifically facial features based on age, gender and ethnicity.

As an artist, it is imperative to understand these differences. As a plastic surgeon, appreciating these differences and respecting variations in the human face and body is incredibly important. In general, plastic surgery is meant to refresh structure and shape, as opposed to changing it. This is where the artistry comes to play.

In college, I studied biomedical engineering. Learning how to solve problems and create solutions. Much of the technical aspects of plastic surgery involves an engineering approach to renew and rejuvenate the human body. Blending both art and science is what I love most about my job.

What do you think are some of the most important qualities in a top notch plastic surgeon?
The most important qualities and a top-notch plastic surgeon include surgical skill, technical expertise, compassion and the desire to constantly improve. Improve not only one’s surgical ability, but improve patient care, patient communication, outcomes and patient recovery.

We are constantly evaluating our results to make sure that we consistently provide the very best care with outstanding outcomes and a streamlined recovery process. Honesty and integrity are also paramount to the practice of plastic surgery.

You’ve mentioned that you encourage open and honest communication with your patients; how do you facilitate an environment in which it feels safe to be vulnerable
Open and honest communication is extremely important when it comes to plastic surgery. In our practice, we facilitate open communication through a comprehensive consultation process. This begins with an initial phone call with our patient coordinator. At this time we determine each patient’s needs. We then schedule a 1 hour consultation at one of our 2 locations. During the in office consultation, we spent time understanding each and every patient, reviewing any pertinent medical issues and determining each individual’s desires.

This is done in the privacy of our office. All patient visits are kept strictly confidential. Our staff is extremely professional and non-judgmental. Our goal is to make our patients as comfortable as possible.

We also offer computer imaging to allow patients to understand what their outcome will actually look like. Whether it is facial surgery or surgery on the breast or body, we are able to simulate the final surgical results. This process allows a patient to truly understand the impact of their procedure. It also helps our patients understand the limitations of plastic surgery.

Our goal in every case is to make our patients as comfortable as possible and help them determine if plastic surgery is right for them.

What inspired you to launch your skincare line, GodekSkin? How does it act in conjunction with your surgical procedures?
I was inspired to launch our own skin care line after being disappointed by many of the top named skin care brands currently on the market. After using and selling most of the top skin care product lines, we often found them to be only mildly effective and often irritating to the skin. GodekSkin was a collaboration with my skin care team at BellaDerma Med Spa as well as my physician assistant laser and injection team. We all worked very closely with a compounding pharmacy in Pennsylvania. We developed a line that is not only gentle on the skin but extremely effective. This includes gentle cleansers, hyaluronic acid moisture enhancers with peptides and intense moisturizers with niacinamide and vitamin C. We also developed lines to brighten and smooth the skin using combinations of retinols, vitamin C and vitamin B3. We also developed photoprotective sun screen which is hypoallergenic and has an SPF of 40. Finally, we developed skin care for acne as well as pigmentary changes seen with sun damage and age. We have also developed a scar gel for postsurgical patients. This is known as Bellasmooth. Our skin care program is packaged with all of her procedures to enhance each patient’s recovery and as a maintenance program to improve the longevity of each result.

How did you approach creating GodekSkin? Did you use a process of trial and error, meticulous testing, etc.?
Each of the ingredients utilized in our skin care has been tested and has been shown to be the safest and most effective compounds available.

Where do you see this skincare technology going moving forward?
Moving forward, we will continue to work on additional product lines to help slow the signs of aging and prevent the development of precancerous lesions.

What is a common misconception surrounding plastic surgery that you would like to dispel?
There are multiple misconceptions when it comes to plastic surgery. First and foremost, plastic surgery is not only for the rich in famous. Most of our patients come from the local community and have very realistic expectations.

There is a misconception that plastic surgery is overdone and unnatural. Since poorly done plastic surgery is easily recognizable, the misconception is that all plastic surgery looks “fake.” The vast majority of people who undergo plastic surgery look natural, rested and refreshed.

There is also a misconception that plastic surgery is very painful. Almost all of my procedures are done as a same-day surgery where you go home the same day. Many people get through the surgery simply with Tylenol. If a stronger medication is needed, it is often not needed more than 1 or 2 days.

How does it feel seeing the impact that your work has on your patients’ self confidence and daily lives?
Plastic surgeons are often considered psychologists with scalpels. Speaking for our entire team at The Godek Center, we derive her greatest satisfaction following our patients’ recovery process.

Once fully healed, usually in just a few weeks, it is amazing to watch the transformations that we see in each and every one of our patients. Whether the surgery involves the face or body, universally we see a positive change in our patients’ self-confidence and self-image. Often, when a patient first sees the transformation, the joy is simply infectious.

This is truly why we do what we do at The Godek Center.

What drives your incredible commitment to your work with breast cancer and domestic violence survivors?
I have always felt that it is important to give back to others in life. At The Godek Center, we are committed to the fight against breast cancer and domestic violence. We raise money each year for breast cancer research as well as domestic violence victims. Within the practice, we continue to work with breast cancer survivors and perform reconstructive breast surgery. These are often our most grateful patients. They uplift all of us. They truly bless each and every one of us who has the honor to take care of them and help them through the recovery process.

We also work with domestic violence victims. Specifically by removing the scars and the deformities from domestic attacks. These scars are a constant reminder of their often repeated domestic violence. By removing the scars and improving the overall appearance, we are part of the healing process for each and every one of these unfortunate victims.

Do you have any thoughts on social media’s impact on patients’ desires in your office
The impact of social media on our patient’s desires is a two-edge sword. In most instances, the patients will see procedures on social media and come in for a comprehensive consultation. These patients have realistic expectations.

In other instances, social media misrepresents what is possible with plastic surgery. In essence, they distort reality. In these cases, a small number of patients will come in with unrealistic expectations regarding outcomes, recovery and the longevity of the result. In these cases, we spend much of our time educating our patients as to the limitations of plastic surgery.

You lecture regularly and contribute to academic and medical research; are there any specific topics that you are most passionate about through this lens?
I lecture regularly locally, nationally and internationally educating others in our field how to improve the patient experience, the recovery process and surgical results. I enjoy lecturing on techniques that I have developed to rejuvenate the upper and lower eyelids, to create a youthful face and neck and to improve the appearance of one’s nose. I remain involved in medical and academic research. With my biomedical engineering background, I have developed several plastic surgery instruments that are still used to this day. One involves a water-based liposuction system.

Another development involves a unique suture device, using sewing machine technology, to suture human tissues. Developing new technology has made me a better surgeon. It is also improved outcomes for my patients.

What recent advancements in the medical field excite you the most?
The most recent advances in plastic surgery that are exciting to me include rapid recovery surgery, minimally invasive surgery providing long-term results, scarless surgery and new technologies in laser skin resurfacing.

What are you hoping to accomplish in 2025, personally and/or professionally
Professional plans for 2025 include opening The Rhinoplasty Clinic at The Godek Center. This will include a comprehensive and streamlined approach to nasal surgery including cosmetic and functional nasal surgery. I will also be working on new technology to improve surgical results, specifically enhanced suture devices that will allow surgery to be done with a smaller, less noticeable scars. I will also be adding new product lines to the GodekSkin care line as well adding new treatment programs to BellaDerma Med Spa. All of these programs will work to rejuvenate the skin and improve the post-surgical recovery process.

Personal plans for 2025 include continued time volunteering at a local equine shelter in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Purchasing a farm. Rescuing a golden retriever. Completing my bucket list to ski every continent with a trip to Africa (the last of 7 continents that I need to ski). I will also will continue my adventures backcountry skiing throughout the world with my two sons Max and Alex.

Website: https://www.godekcenter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godekcenter/

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Dr. Christopher Godek
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Hair: Lisa Chesna
Makeup: Jay Milian, Briana Lorenn
Assistant Photographer: Dani Sax
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Logan Dutra, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Dr. Godek: Surgeon, Author, Advocate