by Carol Phillips

Forget Manhattan. Residents of the Greater Rochester Area no longer have to drive hours to receive topnotch medical spa services. The Lindsay House Center for Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery has recently opened Q the Medical Spa at Lindsay House within its facility that also includes Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery; Lindsay House Surgery Center; and Hair Restoration Institute. Occupying the third floor of this spacious 1878 Victorian and Gothic mansion, Q the Medical Spa is a warm, inviting retreat for men and women where beautiful things happen instantly and with long term benefits.

The Future of Skin Care Has Arrived

Medical spas have only been on the aesthetic map since the late 1990s. Rapidly growing in both popularity and sophistication, a bona fide medical spa differs from a typical day spa- or a medical spa wannabe for that matter--by offering aesthetic therapies that require the supervision of a physician.

According to Vito C. Quatela, MD a board certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of Q the Medical Spa, "More men and women are taking advantage of our medical spa to dramatically improve the appearance of their skin without having surgery, pre-and post-operatively to ensure the best possible outcomes, and to maintain surgical results."


Dr. Vito Quatela

Q the Medical Spa-the most state-of-the-art facility of its kind in Upstate New York is raising the bar in this swiftly emerging medical field by providing a relaxing and peaceful haven where patients are treated to "high touch" treatments, as well as the most sophisticated skin care therapies currently available to physicians. Because Q the Medical Spa is part of a genuine medical facility, patients have the added assurance of medically-trained esthetician (trained and certified by Q the Medical Spa) and registered nurses performing all medical-based skin care therapies!

20/20 Spa Vision

Q the Medical Spa is the brainchild of Dr. Vito Quatela, a renowned surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery, and a highly regarded spa visionary in both medical and aesthetic circles. His interest in aesthetic skin care began 18 years ago when he started offering facials to improve the smoothness and texture of his patients' skin. "I have always felt that it was important to treat the health and appearance of the skin," says Dr. Quatela. "Otherwise, even the most elegant surgical procedure can fall short of its potential."

Creating an Authentic Experience

Dr. Quatela's vision to combine skin care and non-surgical rejuvenation in a relaxing, elegant setting has recently come to fruition with Q the Medical Spa, a magnificent 3000-square-foot facility that is supervised by Dr. Quatela and his partner, William Koenig, MD, board certified plastic surgeon. Joan Lucas, RN, the highly qualified Director of Q the Medical Spa, combines her many years of advanced clinical nursing with a deep sense of nurturing to ensure that every therapy-whether it is a deep tissue massage or laser hair removal--delivers as promised, including a very spa-like experience.

One Step at a Time

"In this regard, our "Ladder" approach to patient care is integral to our programs," continues Dr. Quatela. "The first rung of the ladder is always home care; the second rung may be a light chemical peel. It is only when patients reach the top of the ladder that surgery is recommended.

Depending on their desired results, patients may be at the top of the ladder the first time they visit our facility, or be able to delay surgery for years through better skin care practices and medical spa therapies."

Entering the Slow Lane

True to the spa spirit-and worlds apart from the medical practice that is just a few stair steps away--Q the Medical Spa encourages patients to leave their cares behind for a few hours and focus on their own needs. Visually soothing, the spa decor is a slice of pastel paradise, having been swathed in a pale peach color-with the slightest hint of pink-that makes the complexion look glowing. There are ornate fireplaces, high ceilings and arched entryways that embrace the beauty of an elegant past. New interior elements have been added according to feng shui concepts - the Chinese art of placement-to create a positive flow of energy throughout the space. Water walls and water treatments embrace the true spirit of spa, and several skylights allow generous amounts of natural light to illuminate the interior. One other heavenly note: Cell phone use is not permitted anywhere in the medical spa!

Therapeutic Pleasures

Besides its allure as a beautiful oasis in the midst of this bustling city, Q the Medical Spa offers nutritive (non-medical) facials, pampering massages and aqua therapies featuring leisurely-albeit therapeutic--soaks in a high-tech tub with 250 pulsating jets and nutrient-infused water that is illuminated with a rainbow of therapeutic colors. To date, pleasure seekers are showing a particular fondness for the Essential Meltdown and Soak Scape aqua therapies, Stress Buster Massage and the Five Elemental Facial based on traditional Chinese medicine.




Plunge into a truly
unforgettable experience with 250 jets