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Your Trusted Choice for Beauty & Health

Whether your desire is to feel whole after cancer, refresh your look, or age gracefully, our plastic surgeons and med spa staff will guide you to the treatment that’s right for you.

Meet Dr. Vega Meet Dr. Farkas Meet the Team Our Office Frequently Asked Questions

State-of-the-Art Care Personalized to Your Needs

We value our relationship with you so want you to be well informed about our state-of-the-art, innovative, and effective plastic surgery procedures and non-surgical treatments.

We encourage you to research your plastic surgeon, your surgical options, and your non-invasive treatments before making any decisions. Before you sign up for any procedure or treatment, we recommend you do the following:

  • Review the training and credentials of your plastic surgeon
  • Assess the technology and equipment used in the office
  • Hear what other people have to say about the office, staff, or procedure

Our consultation is an opportunity for us to meet each other and for us to answer your questions in a professional, pleasant, and confidential manner. We acknowledge that choosing a surgeon, center, or procedure is a decision you will make carefully and we thank you for considering us.

Dr. Stephen Vega, MD

Dr. Stephen Vega, MD

Dr. Stephen Vega is a board-certified, nationally recognized plastic surgeon. A true leader in the field, Dr. Vega has pioneered techniques and treatments in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures.

Dr. Vega completed his medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by plastic surgery residency at University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and then a microsurgery fellowship specializing in breast surgery with Dr. Joseph M. Serletti. He continued his work as an assistant professor at the University Medical Center for five years as a faculty surgeon.

During this time, Dr. Vega focused his efforts on improving breast surgery practices and procedures. His work on microsurgical techniques for breast reconstruction has helped advance the field of breast surgery. After more than 10 years at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Stephen opened his own practice so that he could provide greater care and more one-on-one attention to his clients. His driving goal is to consistently provide personalized care and service to his patients.

Throughout his career, Dr. Vega’s work has been featured in numerous medical publications, and he has been honored to present at local, national, and international meetings.

Professional Affiliations

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Dr. Rachel Farkas, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon

Dr. Rachel Farkas, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon

Dr. Rachel Farkas, MD, FACS, is a highly regarded and sought–after surgical oncologist who has dedicated herself to the care of patients with breast cancer for the past eight years. Her clinical expertise, meticulousness, and personal attentiveness have earned her a reputation as a top choice in Western New York for the surgical treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. Farkas has considerable experience in all forms of mastectomy, including skin and nipple-sparing approaches, hidden-scar breast surgery, as well as sentinel and axillary lymph node dissections, making her ideally suited to also care for patients who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. She and Dr. Vega have frequently worked side by side in the operating room, and we’re excited to bring this powerful collaboration to our clinical practice.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Farkas frequently lectures on breast cancer screening, prevention, and treatment. She is a member of the physician advisory board of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, an organization which she enthusiastically supports and where she frequently volunteers. Additionally, she is an active leader and advocate of numerous local organizations.

Dr. Farkas is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is licensed to practice medicine in New York and in California. She completed her surgical residency and a dedicated Breast Surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where she served on the teaching faculty for almost a decade prior to joining our practice.

Professional Affiliations

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Our Staff

Christina McDonald, Nurse Practitioner

Christina McDonald, Nurse Practitioner

Christina McDonald, FNP-C is a New York State board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner.  She has been an FNP for more than 12 years, specializing in Burn Trauma, Plastic/Vascular surgery, ENT, and Bariatric surgery.  Christina is an integral part of our clinical practice, providing preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of both reconstructive and cosmetic patients.

Over the past 9 years, Christina has been a top provider at Vega Med Spa.  She has accomplished training and certifications in all neuromodulators (like Botox and Dysport), dermal fillers, Sciton Laser (like HALO, BBL),  RF Microneedling (Morpheus8), Coolsculpting, and Eurothreads.  Christina is known for her outgoing personality, attention to detail, and excellent patient care, leading her to develop a strong client following due to her expertise with meticulous technique.

Danielle Macaluso, Physician Assistant

Danielle Macaluso, Physician Assistant

Danielle Macaluso is an NCCPA board-certified and licensed physician assistant trained in a wide range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree as well as a Master of Physician Assistant degree from Gannon University. She brings several years of experience working in private practice and urgent care facilities to Vega Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. Danielle has over 9 years of plastic/cosmetic surgery practice and med spa experience working here at Vega Plastic Surgery and her former practice in Delaware. Together with her husband and two kids, she is happy to be back in the greater Rochester, NY area closer to family.

Danielle assists with preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of reconstructive and cosmetic patients in the office. She performs full body skin evaluations to assist in monitoring for skin cancer and provides associated skin treatments. Danielle is also a very successful Med Spa provider, performing a range of cosmetic procedures. She has certifications using neurotoxins, dermal fillers, laser (like HALO, BBL), RF Microneedling (Morpheus8), and CoolSulpting. Her keen eye allows her to provide the natural results that patients desire. Danielle is highly recommended, well respected, and looks forward to achieving your desired aesthetic outcome. She is patient and thoroughly answers questions and concerns before, during, and after procedures.

Melinda MacCormack, Physician Assistant

Melinda MacCormack, Physician Assistant

Melinda MacCormack, NCCPA board-certified and licensed physician assistant, has years of training in a wide range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Physician Assistant degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Melinda is joining Vega with over 12 years of experience working with Unity Hospital and brings extensive operating room and acute care setting experience to Vega Plastic Surgery. She is the first surgical physician assistant working side by side with both Dr. Stephen Vega and Dr. Rachel Farkas. Melinda and her family reside in Honeoye Falls.

Melinda will assist with preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of reconstructive and cosmetic patients in the office and will perform in-office surgical procedures and assist in the operating room.  Melinda is excited to work with patients from beginning to end, assisting them through the preoperative process, surgery, and then guiding them through to the end of their surgical journey.

Karen LeBlanc, Registered Nurse

Karen LeBlanc, Registered Nurse

Karen LeBlanc is a Registered Nurse who studied at Highland Hospital School of Nursing and Monroe Community College where she received her Nursing and Associate degrees. Karen has been a practicing Registered Nurse for 35 years, specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the last 30 years. Karen brings her vast experience to our patients and provides them with the knowledge of all aspects of pre and post-operative care.

As a testament to her dedication to patient care, Karen was nominated to be considered for the 2013 “Hearts and Hands” award, recognized by the Breast Cancer Coalition. She is a native of Rochester, NY. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Grace Shapiro, Licensed Aesthetician

Grace Shapiro, Licensed Aesthetician

Grace has joined Vega Med Spa with over 20 years of aesthetic experience delivering exceptional customer service and high-quality skin care. Grace continues to educate herself in advanced skin care techniques and industry changes to ensure she is delivering the best treatment possible to each of her clients. As someone who is always learning and who understands the science of the skin, she is also able to educate clients about their specific skin care needs and to recommend the best medical grade skin care products.

Grace offers a full spectrum of skin care services including skin care consultations, facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and body waxing.

Grace will spend time with each client, assisting them with their desired skin care outcome, while she delivers a relaxing, calming treatment.

Our Office

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Surgeon Fee. We will bill you for the surgeon’s fee. Because this is elective surgery and not covered by insurance, a $500.00 deposit will be required to book your elective surgery. The remaining amount must be made in full at your pre-operative appointment, which is usually 3 weeks prior to surgery. Payment may be made either by certified bank check or credit card (Visa®, MasterCard® or Discover® Card).

2. Operating Room Fee. This is a separate billing, sent to you by the hospital or surgical facility for the operating room charges. Payment in full is expected at least 7 days prior to your surgery date.

3. Anesthesiologist Fee. The anesthesiologist caring for you will also send you a separate bill for his services. Payment should also be made at least 7 days prior to your surgery date.

All pre-admission information will be sent to you from the hospital or surgical unit that you have chosen. You will receive all the necessary forms along with pre-surgery instructions.

Pre-admission testing should be completed at least 2 days but not more than 30 days before your scheduled surgery.

On the day of your pre-admission testing, please be sure to bring the completed paperwork that was sent to you and a complete list of your current medications.

If you cancel your scheduled surgery with at least 3 weeks notice of your scheduled surgery, Vega Plastic Surgery will refund $250.00 of your $500.00 surgical deposit.

Not necessarily. Physicians may perform cosmetic surgery without necessarily being certified by a relevant specialty board. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons published an informative article on this topic; we encourage anyone considering such a procedure to read it before selecting a surgeon. Click here to read the article.

Financing options are available to help you finance your procedure. This information is provided to our patients as a courtesy, but our practice does not endorse or have any affiliation with any financing company.

CareCredit offers no-interest and low-interest payment plans. There is no cost to enroll and no monthly fees. Vega Plastic Surgery only accepts their options for no interest if paid in full in 6 or 12  months.

Click here to see if you qualify for financing before applying, or call (800) 365-8295 for more information.

Note: Financing cannot be used for anesthesia or hospital fees.

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