Asko Salmi
Specialist in surgery and plastic surgery, senior physician
"In this line of work, you can never be careless."
As someone who strives forabsoluteperfection, I have to make sure that everyone comes to the operating room full of energy. There are no bad days in the surgical profession. Creativity, on the other hand, is a must.
As a part-time photographer, I think there is a reason why many plastic surgeons enjoy painting, drawing, or photography as a hobby. This work requires creative thinking and problem-solving skills. That's why I believe that motivation must always come from passion. Greed or careerism will never produce the best results.
My inspiration for plastic surgery came from far away, from the lush hospital environment of Uudenmaankatu in Helsinki. After graduating, I left to work as a Red Cross war surgeon in Somalia, where I understood the beauty of plastic surgery: it could be used to repair very small details that had been damaged in one way or another. That initial spark started my career in plastic surgery, which has now continued for over 40 years. However, I still have to humble myself before every operation.
“In this job, you can never think you know everything. Even if you perform a hundred identical operations, you will always get a hundred different results.”
In addition to correcting errors and changes, what inspires me about plastic surgery is its relationship to the human being as a whole. At Sairaala KL, we have conducted numerous quality of life studies and sought to determine the impact of our procedures on our clients' lives. According to the studies, plastic surgery is never just a physical procedure, but for many it is part of a larger change that is best seen in all areas of a person's life. Our clients are mainly ordinary people who want to be happy with their lives and themselves. They do not come to us looking for a plastic appearance, but rather a subtle and safe result.
Safety and honesty are things that are never compromised on my operating table. A surgeon's knife is a heavy tool that should only be used when necessary and always correctly. In my opinion, professionalism comes from knowing when to refuse to operate if necessary. In this job, the only feedback that matters is the customer's feedback. Gratitude and satisfaction can only be achieved through mutual understanding.
Measures taken by Asko at Sairaala KL:
- Breast surgery
- Abdominal and body reconstructive surgery
- Upper eyelid surgery
- Fat transfers and liposuction
- Diagnosis and removal of moles
