TOP FORTY OVER 40
PATIENTS’ BEST INTERESTS ALWAYS COME FIRST FOR KELOWNA SKIN, VEIN DOCTOR – PAGE
Dr. Mandy Wong is the ideal poster girl for her own business.
At age 49, she looks a decade younger with her slim figure, smooth skin and healthy glow.
“I’ll admit I have great skin,” said the owner of Restore Vein and Skin Centre.
“The business has all the latest and greatest equipment and uses the most advanced procedures. And I partake to show what’s possible. I don’t like fat, so the CoolSculpting machines help get rid of fat. And fillers, lasers and Botox help improve skin and renew collagen and elasticity.”
Besides cosmetic procedures, a big part of Wong’s practice is next-generation treatments for enlarged and twisted varicose veins.
“I’m a medical doctor, but not a surgeon,” said Wong. “So I don’t do invasive vein stripping surgery that requires incision and general anesthetic, pain and six weeks off work afterward.”
Instead, Wong concentrates on three different types of less invasive procedures that have little to no downtime.
The first is injecting medication to destroy the vein.
The second is using laser heat energy to burn the vein under local anesthetic.
And the third and most advanced is effectively crazy gluing the edges of veins together. Cynoacrylate, which has the same properties as Crazy Glue, is injected into the vein through an IV.
“After gluing, the patient simply walks out of the clinic and goes on with their life with no downtime,” she said.
Wong has been in the vein and skin business in Kelowna for 20 years.
The first 19 years were with a partner at Lakeshore Vein and Aesthetics.
However, last year she decided to strike out on her own with Restore Vein and Skin Centre to do things her way with the latest equipment and procedures.
“My practice has definitely evolved,” she said. “I always put my patients’ best interests first and that’s resulted in respect for my work, a good reputation, repeat business and referrals.”
Besides the practical applications, Wong is also an academic.
“I’m passionate about the science of veins and the latest treatments,” she said. “I do a lot of research and writing and I’ve even written a chapter for a textbook. I’m also on the board of the Canadian Association of Phlebology (vein medicine).”
Wong also has a brand new, state-of-the-art operating room at her clinic upstairs at the Capri Centre. She shares the OR with her cataract eye surgeon husband, Dr. Keith Yap, who also works out of Kelowna General Hospital. Medicine runs in the family. The couple’s oldest son, who is 22, is aiming to get into medical school.
The couple’s two youngest children, age 18 and 21, both have muscular dystrophy.
Thus, the Big Easter Egg Hunt the family hosts at their orchard in Southeast Kelowna every year for 500 people is to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
All this begs the question: How does Wong do it all?
“I have a very understanding and helpful husband,” she said.
Editor's note: Every week in this space with Top Forty Over 40 we profile a businessperson over the age of 40 who is having a great career and giving back through mentoring and volunteering.
The series is presented by BDO Accountants and Consultants, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and The Daily Courier. If you know of a deserving over 40 you'd like to nominate, send an email to TopForty@KelownaChamber.org.
“And I make it a priority to be healthy and that results in a lot of energy, otherwise how could we be out water skiing early mornings in the summer before work? And as the old saying goes, the busiest people get the most done.”