Dr. Piotr Rak is a specialist in general and oncological surgery, as well as aesthetic medicine. He began his medical career in 1995. Dr. Rak has performed about 460 limb reimplantations. He also developed a unique method for biomechanical rehabilitation of reimplanted limbs. In 2009, he earned a PhD in Medical Sciences from the Medical University of Gdańsk. His doctoral research focused on how chemotherapy affects silicon organic compounds in breast reconstruction.
Dr. Rak has completed international training in microsurgery and breast cancer treatment. He coordinated the Population-Based Early Breast Cancer Detection Program in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. He has also taken part in international studies, including MINDACT, PRAME-AS, and ICON. Dr. Rak was part of the first team in Poland to use stem cells in breast reconstruction. He has published over 30 scientific articles. In 2023, he founded the Friendly Medicine Island clinic, which offers advanced surgical and aesthetic treatments.
Dr. Przemyslaw Ciesielski is a general surgeon. He completed his specialization in 2008. He graduated from the Medical University of Warsaw in 1999. He earned his Doctor of Medical Sciences degree in 2010. His dissertation assessed clinical and rectoscopic examinations for diagnosing colorectal disease in patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer.
His proctology and colorectal training includes formal courses and fellowships. He completed Proctology Courses at St. Rota Hospital in Vercelli in 2021 and 2022, and in Cologne in 2016. He held clinical fellowships in General Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna in 2014 and at the University of Magdeburg in 2015. He undertook multiple fellowships at the Proctology Department, Solec Hospital in Warsaw from 2005 to 2013. He attended advanced colorectal surgery workshops in Poznan and Lodz. He also completed St Mark’s Hospital courses in London, including Frontiers in Colorectal Diseases and the Advanced Colorectal Workshop.
Dr. Paweł Grochowicz, MD, PhD, is a proctologist with almost 40 years of experience. He works at the Warsaw Proctology Center at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He treats hemorrhoids, anal fistulas and abscesses, anal fissures, fecal incontinence, and pilonidal cysts. He also performs colonoscopy and colorectal polypectomy.
From 1979 to 2016 he worked at the Proctology Unit, Solec Hospital, a reference center and the only one of its kind in Poland. Since 2016 he has worked at the Warsaw Proctology Center at St. Elizabeth Hospital. There he develops and implements new methods and runs diagnostic, rehabilitation, research, and teaching work. The center is the headquarters of the Polish Coloproctology Club.
Academic and research roles: Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polish Academy of Sciences (1979–1997). DAAD scholar at LMU Munich (1983–1984). John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, Australia (1989–1996). There he was Director of the Transplant Research Unit and Principal Scientific Officer (1991–1996).
Popular keloid treatments in Poland include corticosteroid injections, fractional CO2 laser therapy, and cryotherapy. Specialized centers frequently combine surgical excision with superficial radiotherapy to minimize recurrence. These procedures are performed by board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons in JCI or ISO-accredited facilities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Poland has climbed to 8th in global medical tourism rankings with 82 specialized clinics. Highly experienced specialists like Dr. Piotr Rak at Friendly Medicine Island hold PhDs and offer multidisciplinary surgical expertise. While basic injections are widely available, patients seeking advanced laser protocols often choose private Warsaw clinics to avoid long wait times. This high concentration of expertise allows for personalized combination therapies that are not always available in standard outpatient settings.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that strictly following the 24/7 silicone sheet protocol after professional treatment is vital for success. Many recommend taking monthly photos to track progress as flattening often happens gradually over 6 months.
Keloid treatments in Poland are safe due to strict European Union medical regulations. Facilities follow ISO international standards to ensure reliable care and high-quality services. Specialist surgeons in cities like Gdansk and Jelenia Gora use advanced techniques to minimize recurrence risks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume data shows KCM Clinic serves 700+ internationals yearly from the UK and Germany. This high frequency confirms their staff is well-versed in managing cross-border medical documentation. Patients should verify if a clinic offers specialized radiotherapy post-excision to ensure lasting results.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that EU regulation makes Poland feel safer than non-European destinations. Many reinforce the need for remote follow-ups via WhatsApp to monitor any signs of regrowth.
Warsaw, Kraków, and Jelenia Góra are Poland's primary centers for advanced keloid treatment. These hubs feature specialized dermatological facilities utilizing superficial radiation therapy (SRT), fractional CO2 lasers, and cryotherapy. JCI and ISO-accredited clinics in these cities serve thousands of international patients seeking effective scar removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search in Warsaw, KCM Clinic in Jelenia Góra serves 700+ international patients annually, specifically from the UK and Germany. Our data shows this city has become a specialized destination for high-volume laser procedures. Patients often find shorter wait times here compared to the capital's multi-disciplinary centers.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that combining treatments like injections with lasers works best. Many emphasize following strict post-care plans in Poland to ensure the keloid does not return after the initial procedure.
Keloid recurrence risk ranges from 10% to 100% depending on the chosen treatment strategy. Surgical excision alone shows a 45% to 100% regrowth rate, often resulting in larger scars. Combining surgery with radiotherapy or corticosteroid injections significantly improves long-term outcomes for patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from 82 Polish clinics shows that specialized centers like KCM Clinic focus on multimodal plastic surgery. Dr. Piotr Rak at Friendly Medicine Island utilizes advanced microsurgery and oncological techniques. Choosing surgeons with oncological backgrounds ensures a deeper understanding of tissue regrowth patterns. This expertise is vital because improper excision edges are a primary trigger for keloid recurrence.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that staying consistent with 24-hour silicone sheet therapy for up to 12 months is essential. Many note that missing a single follow-up steroid injection can lead to visible regrowth within weeks.