Plastic Surgeon
Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS
Author of Your Body, Your Beauty. Your Safety.
Quoted in Elle, Allure, Cosmetic Beauty, New Beauty magazines and The New York Times
Meet Dr. Joe
For more than 30 years, Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS (pronounced Gris-KA-vitz) has practiced medicine in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota Cleft Palate Clinics School of Dentistry and is the past Chief of Surgery at Fairview Southdale Hospital in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina. His practice, Gryskiewicz & Chopra Twin Cities Cosmetic Surgery, has offices in Edina and Burnsville, Minnesota.
Dr. Joe Gryskiewicz graduated in 1972 from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in nursing through the registered nursing program at the College of St. Catherine. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1978. His post-graduate medical training included seven years of surgical residency at the University of Wisconsin Health Sciences Center. In addition to his training in cosmetic plastic surgery, Dr. Gryskiewicz holds a certificate in microvascular surgery from his completion of a Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madision.
Dr. Gryskiewicz is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and received a certificate of special training in cosmetic surgery from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). He has been an official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is Chairman of the Emerging Trends Task Force, and belongs to numerous professional organizations and committees, including ASAPS/ASPS Innovative Procedures Committee. As a moderator for its biannual “Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery” course, he keeps up on cutting-edge developments in his field. He is an active member of the Rhinoplasty Society and serves on its committees. He also holds several issued patents for surgical devices. Dr. Joe was inducted into the International Society of Clinical Plastic Surgeons in 2003.
Although he has extensive training in all aspects of cosmetic and plastic surgery, Dr. Gryskiewicz’s special medical interests are breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facial plastic surgery, and body contouring. He was also one of the early adopters of suction-assisted lipectomy after studying with Dr. Simon Fredricks of Houston, Texas in 1984. Dr. Fredricks was one of the first plastic surgeons to perform liposuction.
In addition to being in private practice, Dr. Gryskiewicz, or “Dr. Joe,” is a writer and international speaker. He has traveled the world delivering over three hundred presentations to professional organizations on plastic surgery topics such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, hot topics, and ethics. He writes for a number of medical journals, society newsletters, and academic publications.
Dr. Joe began pursuing a career in plastic surgery after serving as a volunteer on a six-month trip to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala where he provided local patients with necessary medical care, as well as surgical correction of birth defects. Traveling by Jeep to the remote, guerrilla-occupied mountain regions, he worked day in and day out treating patients plagued by parasites, malnutrition, and tuberculosis. Dr. Joe also lived at the Casa Feliz orphanage, where his most moving experiences occurred working with the Cachchequal tribe of Central American Mayan Indians. The life-changing difference a simple procedure made for many of the orphans suffering from cleft lips or cleft palates profoundly altered Dr. Joe’s life.
Dr. Joe and his family have devoted themselves to helping people in Third World countries. His time in Guatemala inspired his dedication to exceptional plastic surgery, and his experiences will be featured in his forthcoming book. Tentatively titled Three Faces, this book will explore Dr. Joe’s adventures with the Cachchequal Mayan Indians as well as his other medical journeys.
Working with international aid organizations like San Francisco de Asis and Interplast, Dr. Joe travels annually to South America to operate on children with cleft lips, cleft palates, and burns. His work is featured in the “Correcting the Negative” chapter of the book, Caring Hands: Inspiring Stories of Volunteer Medical Missions by Susan I. Alexis. As a result of Dr. Joe’s extensive volunteer work, he was honored with the WCCO Radio Good Neighbor Award in 1986 and Humanitarian of the Year Award from the University of St. Thomas in 1992. He was also named one of the region’s Top Doctors by Minneapolis St. Paul magazine and has been quoted in issues of both Elle and Allure.
But more than that, as a plastic surgeon who has been going on medical missions for over 30 years, “People feel an inner desire to give back,” believes Dr. Joe. “My efforts will flower for my grandchildren,” he predicts. — Quoted in From Minnesota to the World: Fairview Hospital’s Medical Missions.
Dr. Joe lives in Minneapolis with his wife and enjoys art, photography, composing music, and cross-country skiing. An avid runner and triathlon competitor, Dr. Joe has completed the Twin Cities, Grandmas, Boston, New York, and Chicago marathons, as well as The Wisconsin Iron-Man. Dr. Joe is one of the inventors of the Insorb Surgical Stapler, which was recognized by the Wall Street Journal as the top medical device for 2006. He holds several issued patents for medical devices.
Dr. Joe G is the best! I’ve had 2 procedures done with him and both times the results are spectacular. The staff are very friendly always. I definitely will be going to him in the future for any of my cosmetic needs.
Rachel Rae
February 21, 2018
Professional Memberships and Associations
Hospital and Surgery Center Affiliations
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital
- Fairview Ridges Hospital
- Fairview Southdale Hospital
- Centennial Lakes Surgery Center
- Ridges Surgery Center Burnsville
Awards and Honors
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One of the “Top Doctors” Minnesota Monthly Magazine: June 2018, June 2019, September 2020, September 2021 -
One of the “Top Doctors for Women” Minnesota Monthly Magazine 2021 -
LEAD Physician Mentor March 2019 -
One of the “Top Doctors” Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine January 1996, June 2001, June 2016 -
Iron Man Triathlon 2009 -
Winner of Midwest Book Award on May 9, 2007 For Your Body, Your Beauty, Your Safety Midwest Independent Publishers Association -
“Best Scientific Paper” International Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc. Aventura, Florida December 11, 2004 Surgeons -
Mr. Congeniality Award Alpha Transcription, Inc May 23, 2001 -
100th Boston Marathon 1996 -
Father of the Year Award State of Minnesota Runner-up Channel 11 Television June 1992 -
Humanitarian of the Year Award University of St. Thomas March 7, 1992 -
Aesculapian Club Service Award College of St. Thomas St. Paul, Minnesota April 4, 1986
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WCCO Radio Good Neighbor Award April 1, 1986 -
Inservice Exam Highest Score Resident Award University of Wisconsin General Surgery Residency Program 1982, 1983 -
Resident of the Year Award, Finalist University of Wisconsin Medical School, 1979, 1981, 1983
What is a Plastic Surgeon?
A plastic surgeon specializes in improving or reconstructing the function and appearance of the face, skin, and body through complex techniques that generally involve tissue transfer or the implantation of a prosthesis. With extensive knowledge in the art of aesthetic beauty, as well as the biology of different anatomical structures, plastic surgeons are trained to modify the body for purposes related to cosmetic enhancement, functional improvement, and post-trauma or cancer reconstruction, among many other reasons. At any rate, those who focus on cosmetic surgery are well-versed in the principles of aesthetic balance, symmetry, and proportion and utilize these concepts to achieve results that appear natural.
Why Look for a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
While board certification is not required to perform plastic surgery, plastic surgeons who are formally accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) generally undergo advanced levels of training and post-graduate education to achieve such a credential. Therefore, you can assume that a board-certified plastic surgeon has exceeded the minimum training requirements necessary to practice, and passed the requisite examinations to achieve board-certification. Ultimately, accreditation from the ABPS can convey a higher level of dedication and passion for excellence within plastic surgery that you deserve in your cosmetic enhancement. This distinction can make it easier for you to feel comfortable and confident under the care of your plastic surgeon.
How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon for You
At Gryskiewicz & Chopra Twin Cities Cosmetic Surgery, we understand that the quality of your results is dependent on finding the best plastic surgeon for your unique needs. While the importance of this decision can make the research process seem daunting, our team has outlined a few tips that can help you find a qualified plastic surgeon well-equipped to address your concerns:
- Check a surgeon’s board-certification and research their training. With most plastic surgeons maintaining an online presence, you can easily find out about a surgeon’s educational background and whether they’ve obtained board certification. This can narrow down your options and help you find a highly experienced plastic surgeon to perform your cosmetic surgery.
- Find out whether they specialize in your procedure of interest. It’s generally in your best interest to enlist a plastic surgeon who specializes in, or frequently performs your chosen treatment. This can give you the confidence of knowing your surgeon is able to react quickly in the rare event of complication, as well as increase your chances of achieving optimal results.
- Review patient gallery. There is usually no better indication of what can potentially be achieved with a given procedure than a plastic surgeon’s before-and-after photos. Explore their online showroom, or ask to see the results attained with previous patients in a consultation, to determine whether the outcomes are consistent with your desires.
- Read patient reviews. Feedback from individuals who have already been under a plastic surgeon’s care can be invaluable to the research process, helping you assess previous patients’ levels of satisfaction after treatment. Peruse online reviews from a multitude of third-party platforms, such as Facebook, Google, and Realself, to gain a comprehensive idea of a prospective surgeon’s reputation.
- Schedule a consultation. The last step in the research process involves scheduling a consultation. Meeting a prospective plastic surgeon in person provides an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about their experience, or the treatment process, while truly allowing you to determine whether or not you feel comfortable in their care.
Beyond Plastic Surgery
Dr. Joe has many interests outside of his practice and spends much of his free time with his family. He and his wife have five grandchildren: Andrew, Colin, Ellie, Hannah, and Lana. Together, the family enjoys hiking, hosting big backyard barbecues, and vacationing every winter in the woods of Northern Wisconsin for cross-country ski racing. Their favorite travel destinations range from the mountains of Montana to the woods of Northern Minnesota to the sunny beaches of Florida.
Dr. Joe and his family are also passionate about helping people who live in Third World countries and have traveled to Ecuador, Peru, and Africa together. They particularly enjoyed their time in the mountain communities and small indigenous markets of rural Ecuador.
Aside from his career as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Joe is also a short film actor and music composer. He has appeared in multiple short films in the Twin Cities area and his favorite roles to play involve drama or suspense. In addition, Dr. Joe often composes choral and liturgical music, with one of the pieces he co-wrote with his piano teacher even performed at the Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.
If you are ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Joe, or if you would like to learn more about what to look for in a plastic surgeon, please contact our practice today.