Dr. Papageorgiou: So hi, all the surgeries are done… Now we can get started.
L.Serrano: What did you have today, rather small things or?
Dr. Papageorgiou: Yes, a mini liposuction, a lipotransfer, and two upper eyelid lifts. But let’s get to the interview… Hi dear, let me introduce you to our audience. You are a make-up artist and have been part of our team here in Bern since February 2024. I am very pleased that you have joined and enriched our team.
L. Serrano: Thank you for making me feel so welcome.
Dr. Papageorgiou: Mi casa sou casa.
L. Serrano: It’s great here with you. I actually came to you as a customer for a Botox treatment. You were so uncomplicated and I thought your clinic was cool, so I just asked you if you had any vacancies.
Dr. Papageorgiou: Yes, exactly, and then after long negotiations we were finally able to come to an agreement.
They both laugh
L. Serrano: Yes, this marathon negotiation with you lasted allmost 5 minutes!
Dr. Papageorgiou: I’m glad you’re impressed by the speed of a man!
They both laugh
Dr. Papageorgiou: Joking aside. I think we work from the gut to a certain extent. And if it fits, then it fits. You don’t have to look for a needle in a haystack.
L. Serrano: Exactly!
Dr. Papageorgiou: You were born in Switzerland, where are you from?
L. Serrano: I was born in Zurich. My father is Spanish and my mother is Portuguese.
Dr. Papageorgiou: How did a Spanish-Portuguese Swiss woman from Zurich get into your profession?
Both laugh
L. Serrano: As a Spanish-Portuguese Swiss woman, I started out as a trained commercial fiduciary clerk. But as a Swiss woman, that was too dry for me.
They both laugh
L. Serrano: By chance, I then became increasingly involved in the beauty industry. I enjoyed it so much that I started my own business. I’ve now been self-employed in Bern for 15 years as GiGi Beauty.
Dr. Papageorgiou: What was it about your profession that inspired you so much? Can you give me a little more detail?
L. Serrano: Sure! Firstly, my job is very practical. I work with my hands and see the result directly. I also like people, so I’m a very social person and I love interacting directly with people. These two factors make my job so attractive to me.
Dr. Papageorgiou: That’s exactly how I feel about plastic and aesthetic surgery. The practical work with the hand and the directly visible result give me deep satisfaction as a surgeon. I believe it is human nature that practical work with visible results satisfies people. When I operate, whether it’s liposuction, tightening operations or micro-surgery, whatever, I don’t see operating as work at all. It’s just great fun.
L. Serrano: There’s also the freedom that comes with being self-employed. Now, for example, I’m also in the process of setting up a second base in Portugal, in the Algarve. I will soon be self-employed in Switzerland and Portugal. That’s super exciting.
Dr. Papageorgiou: We have another thing in common. I also have a practice in Rhodes and yes, I agree with you, it’s great fun to work in different countries. A bit exhausting but definitely not boring. Thank you very much for the interview.
L. Serrano: Thank you!