We are delighted to have Dottore Andrea Caletti as the head doctor at the AIVA Institute for Vitality and Aesthetics. In this interview, he reveals how he discovered his passion for aesthetic surgery and what experience, expertise and treatments customers of the AIVA Institute can expect from him.
How has your hometown of Verona influenced your career in plastic surgery?
I found my way to plastic surgery in a roundabout way. I started my career as a general surgeon at the largest centre for pancreatic surgery in Italy, the University Hospital. There, at the centre of true surgery, I was able to acquire sound medical knowledge. After about ten years spent mostly in hospital, I discovered my passion for skin surgery: I often found the beauty of a well-placed scar more satisfying than a gall bladder removal, for example.
Which specific plastic surgery technique that you covered in your thesis do you use in practice today?
My thesis was about the use of autologous fat for breast reconstruction in patients after breast cancer. Together with Dr Rigotti and Dr Colemann, we were pioneers of this method in Verona. This work enabled me to specialise in the transplantation of autologous fat. Autologous fat is gold in the hands of a plastic surgeon: an ideal material, rich in stem cells and abundant in the patient’s own body.
Can you give some insights into your training in both countries, Italy and Germany, and how it has contributed to your current expertise?
In Italy, I was able to gain extensive medical foundations. I was lucky enough to be guided to the top of surgery by great mentors. My time at the Italian university hospital was characterised by a wide range of experiences – especially with cancer patients. This tested my skills and shaped my understanding of serious cases. In Germany, I had the opportunity to deepen my expertise in Berlin, the largest burn centre in Germany. Here, I not only worked with skin on a daily basis, but also developed an intense love for surgical perfection.
How do you combine surgical excellence with your patients’ individual vision of beauty?
In my work, I always strive for excellence – both in surgical precision and in understanding my patients’ individual ideas. The first exchange is crucial to get a comprehensive picture of their wishes and expectations. Only when I fully understand these can I achieve the best possible result. This also means saying no in some cases if the ideas are not realisable.
To what extent do you feel proud to be part of the Upwind Holding subsidiary “AIVA”?
Pride is the right expression for my feelings towards Upwind Holding and the subsidiary AIVA in particular – because Upwind not only invests in quality, but remarkably also in people. It feels like one big family that believes in the same goal and works together to achieve it. The respectful cooperation and the focus on excellence are crucial for me and I see great potential for the future.
What can customers expect at AIVA?
Our clients at AIVA can expect personalised and tailored treatment. Our primary focus is on each individual patient – we take the necessary time to understand their individual needs and wishes and develop appropriate treatment plans. Our approach is holistic. In addition to aesthetic improvement, we emphasise regenerative medicine and vitality. We believe in not only stopping the biological clock, but perhaps even turning it back. Our goal is to help our patients age youthfully, fit and healthy. With this in mind, our motto at AIVA is: “Beauty and vitality come from within.” And this is exactly what we put into practice. Our innovative approach allows us to offer beauty upgrades in a whole new way. Be curious!