Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Ewa Timek, MD
Ewa Komorowska-Timek, M.D. specializes in plastic surgery, including cosmetic, reconstructive, and microsurgical procedures. Dr. Timek performs highly sought-after cosmetic procedures such as Lipo 360, Fat Transfer to the Face and Body, Brazilian Butt Lifts, and Natural Augmentation. She is considered a leader in reconstructive microsurgical techniques, which enables her to offer a wide variety of Breast Reconstructive options, including DIEP, SIEA, and LICAP Flap procedures.
Dr. Timek performs cosmetic procedures of the face and body including upper and lower blepharoplasty, brow lift, facelift, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, and body contouring, particularly after weight loss. Dr. Timek also offers minimally invasive cosmetic techniques such as Botox and injectable fillers.
Dr. Timek is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine. She finished her training in plastic surgery at Loma Linda University, California where she stayed on staff to earn Board Certification in Plastic Surgery. Subsequently Dr. Timek returned to Stanford to complete a fellowship in microsurgery and then joined the academic faculty. Throughout the years she also served as principal investigator of various research projects which resulted in multiple publications. Dr. Timek is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society of Reconstruction Microsurgery (ASRM), and serves on the editorial boards of the Microsurgery Journal and Annals of Plastic Surgery.
Ewa Timek, MD
Background
Originally from Poland, Dr. Timek enjoys West Michigan for its four seasons, the people, the professional opportunities, and educational opportunities the community has to offer. Dr. Timek is married to Dr. Tomasz Timek, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, and they have five children. She enjoys photography and swimming in her spare time.
Research
6Publications
47
4/2022 – Active Member, Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons
1/2019 – Associate Editor, Annals of Plastic Surgery
1/2014 -12/2015 – Division Chief, Section of Plastic Surgery, Spectrum Health Hospitals
11/2011-1/201 – Adjunct Assistant Professor, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI
7/2011-2/2020 – Clinical Advisor, Microvascular Surgery and Lymphedema Program, Spectrum Health Medical Center, Grand Rapids, MI
1/2011 – Active Member, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
4/2010 – Active Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
12/2009 – Clinical Assistant Professor, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine
12/2009 – Member of the Editorial Board, Annals of Plastic Surgery
12/2007 – Reviewer, Microsurgery Journal
8/2007-7/2009 – Clinical Instructor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Stanford University, CA
8/2006-7/2007 – Clinical Instructor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Loma Linda University, CA
2022 – Second Place Abstract Presentation, “To ADM or Not ADM: Outcomes of Prepectoral Prosthetic Reconstruction After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy with and Without Acellular Dermal Matrix”, Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons, Mackinac Island, MI
2022 – Third Place Abstract Presentation, “Correction of Breast Ptosis in Immediate Breast Reconstruction After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy,” Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons, Mackinac Island, MI
2016 – Reconstructive Surgeon of the Year Award, Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, Michigan State University
2015 – Spectrum Health Office of Research Administration Investigator-Initiated Research Grant , “Fat Grafting and its Effects on Tissues in Irradiated Tissue Expanders: An Animal Model”
2013 – Novadaq Educational Grant, “The use of SPY in lymphatic microsurgery”
2012 – Spectrum Research Foundation Research Grant, “Survival and revascularization of human fat grafts”
2011 – Synovis Educational Grant, “Microsurgical treatment of lymphedema”
2011 – LifeCell Corporation Educational Grant, “The application of indocyanine green (SPY) lymphatic mapping in supramicrosurgical treatment of lymphedema”
2009 – Doctorate Degree, Division of Plastic Surgery, Wroclaw Medical Academy, Wroclaw, Poland
2008 – Clinical Presentation Prize at the Stanford Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery First Annual Resident and Fellow Research Day
2004 – LifeCell Corporation Research Grant, “The role of Alloderm in radiation-induced peri-prosthetic capsule formation”
2004 – The Frank R. Rogers, MD, MBA Academic Achievement Award
2003 – Clinical Presentation Prize at the Loma Linda Department of Surgery First Annual Resident Research Day
2001 – The Frank R. Rogers, MD, MBA Academic Achievement Award
2001 – Resident Scientific Paper Prize at California Society of Plastic Surgeons 51st Annual Meeting
1999 – Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship
1999 – Alumni Award at the Sixteenth Annual Stanford Medical Student Research Symposium
1998-1999 – Medical Scholars Research Grant, Stanford University School of Medicine
1996-1997 – Polish Ministry of Health Scholarship for Academic Excellence
1996-1997 – Jagiellonian University Medical Faculty Scholarship for Academic Excellence
1996-1998- European Education Foundation Fellowship for Summer Study Abroad at Antwerpen University Medical School, Antwerp, Belgium
1995-1996 – Jagiellonian University Medical Faculty Scholarship for Academic Excellence
1996-1997 – European Education Foundation Fellowship for Summer Study Abroad at Lyon University Medical School, Lyon, France
1994-1995 – Jagiellonian University Medical Faculty Scholarship for Academic Excellence
1994-1995 – Jagiellonian University Exchange Fellowship for Summer Study at Bochum Medical School, Bochum, Germany
1994-1995 – Polish Ministry of Health Scholarship for Academic Excellence
2007-2008 – Microsurgery Fellowship Stanford University, CA
2000-2006 – Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program Loma Linda University, CA
1998-2000 – Stanford University School of Medicine – M.D. (6/2000)
1997-1998 – Microsurgical Research Fellow, Buncke Microsurgical Laboratory, San Francisco, CA
1991-1997 – Jagiellonian University Medical School, Krakow, Poland – Medical Diploma – GPA- 4.83 ( 2-5 grade scale )
1987- 1991 – King Jan Sobieski Gymnasium, Krakow, Poland – Baccalaureate – Final Examination GPA- 5.0 ( 2-5 grade scale )
11/2007 – American Board of Plastic Surgery
4/2010 – Active Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
1/2011 – Active Member, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
4/2020 – American Board of Plastic Surgery – recertification
4/2022 – Active Member, Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons
9/94-10/94 Department of Face, Jaw and Oral Cavity Surgery, Bochum University, Bochum, Germany
6/95-7/95 Department of Maxillo-Facial and Aesthetic Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Lyon, France
5/96-7/96 Department of Plastic Surgery, Antwerpen University, Antwerp, Belgium
7/2011 – Lymphaticovenous microsurgery in lymphedema treatment. University of Gonoa, Italy
3/2012 – Supramicrosurgery in lymphaticovenous bypass and lymph node transfer surgery for lymphedema. University of Tokio, Japan.
11/11-1/16 Van Andel Institute
11/09- Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine
8/08-7/09 Stanford University Medical Center
7/04-7/07 Loma Linda University School of Medicine
9/97-6/00 Buncke Microsurgical Laboratory, California Pacific Medical Center, Davies Campus, San Francisco, CA.
1/98-6/98 Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, Palo Alto VA Hospital, Palo Alto, CA.
“Outpatient autologous tissue transfer as an alternative to implants in breast reconstruction.”
“Reclaiming the waste lands: the role of fat grafting in reinvigorating radiated breast skin before free tissue reconstruction.”
“Lymphaticovenous microsurgery for lymphedema”
“The use of quilting sutures in pectoralis advancement flaps in sternal reconstruction for seroma prevention”
“Outcomes of miocroneedling radiofrequency treatment”
“The effect of laser vaginal treatment on vaginal health, sexual satisfaction and urinary incontinence”
Bushong EE, Wesely N, Komorowska-Timek E. To ADM or not to ADM? Outcomes of Pre-pectoral Prosthetic Reconstruction after Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy with and without Acellular Dermal Matrix. Plast Reconstr Surg 2022, submitted
Means OC, Patmon DL, Komorowska-Timek E, Young AY. Detecting a Post-Operative Hematoma: A Missing Piece in Breast Care. MedSurg Nursing, in press
M. Phillips, Komorowska-Timek E. Metastatic breast cancer in a transgender female with history of mantle field radiation and free silicone breast injections. Transl Breast Cancer Res 2022;3:28.
Bushong EE, Komorowska-Timek E. Immediate Ear Lobule Reconstruction After Melanoma. J Craniofac Surg 2022, 34(1):e19-e22
Komorowska-Timek E, Jaźwiec AM, Adams NS, Fahrenkopf MP, Davis AT. Peri-prosthetic fat grafting decreases collagen content, density, and fiber alignment of implant capsules. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, Nov 2021, 9(11):e3687.
Braza ME, Komorowska-Timek E. In the Shave of Time: A Mineral Oil Skin Lubrication Substitute. Plast Reconstr Surg, 2021 Sep 1;148(3):526e-527e
Sandhu H, Means OC, Komorowska-Timek, E. Lymphatic contribution in a chronic breast seroma. Ann Breast Surg, Dec 2021, 5: 40.
Fahrenkopf MP, Kelpin JP, Murphy ET, Komorowska-Timek E. Chest wall Desmoid Tumor after Double Lung Transplantation. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019;2(1):1-5
Means OC, Komorowska-Timek E. Salvage of Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction with Vascularized Acellular Dermis Flap. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019 Sep 30;7(9):e2415
Komorowska-Timek E, Merrifield BA, Turfe Z, Davis AT. Subcutaneous prosthetic breast reconstructions following skin reduction mastectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019 Jan 11;7(1):e2078.
Merrifield BA, Hostetter G, Chang A. Komorowska-Timek E. Volume retention, metabolism and cellular composition of human fat xenografts. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2018 Aug 6;6(8):e1869
Jazwiec A, Rechner, B, Komorowska-Timek E. Endoscopy-assisted frontal sinus obliteration. J Craniofac Surg. 2018 Jul;29(5):e513-e515.
Komorowska-Timek E, Turfe Z, Davis AT. Reply: Outcomes of Prosthetic Reconstruction of Irradiated and Nonirradiated Breasts with Fat Grafting. Plast Reconstr Surg 2017 Sep;140(3):497e-499e
Komorowska-Timek E, Turfe Z, Davis A. Outcomes of prosthetic reconstruction of radiated and non-radiated breasts with fat grafting, Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 Jan;139(1):1e-9e
Qu LT, Kelpin JP, Eichhorn MG, Komorowska-Timek E. Spectacles under Pedicles: Eyewear Modification with the Paramedian Forehead Flap. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016 Aug 29;4(8):e1003
Turfe Z, Pettinga J, Leduc O, Leduc A, Komorowska-Timek E. Chemotherapy port related lymphedema after axillary lymph node dissection. Breast. 2016 Aug;28:145-7
Lelli JL, Rapp DA, Komorowska-Timek E. Temporary Areolar Demarcation for Nipple-areola Complex Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Aug 25;3(8):e490
Karadsheh M, Turfe, Z, Komorowska-Timek E. Nasal endoscopy in total nasal reconstruction. Eur J Plast Surg. 2016; 39:65-68
Turfe Z, Komorowska-Timek E. The application of a bilaminate skin substitute as a temporary coverage of a free flap pedicle. Microsurgery. 2015; 35: 79-80.
Al-Kalla, T, Komorowska-Timek E. Total male breast reconstruction using fat grafting. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2014;2:e257.
Turfe Z, Davis A, Komorowska-Timek E. Complication rates of fat grafting associated with various modalities of breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;133(3 Suppl):143.
Zomerlei T, Komorowska-Timek. Venous coupler migration- a near miss. Microsurgery. 2014;34:331-2.
Komorowska-Timek E, Lee GK. Tube-in-a-tube anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of complex esophageal and anterior neck defects. Ann Plast Surg. 2014 Jan;72(1):64-6
Boettcher AK, Komorowska-Timek E. Maximizing the economics of the marking pen. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012;129:606e-607e
Komorowska-Timek E, Gurtner GC. Intraoperative perfusion mapping with laser-assisted indocyanine green imaging can predict and prevent complications in immediate breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 2010;125:1065-73.
Komorowska-Timek, E, Gurtner G, Lee, GK. Supercharged reverse anterolateral thigh flap in reconstruction of a massive defect of the proximal two-thirds of the lower leg. Microsurgery. 2010;30:397-400.
Komorowska-Timek E, Oberg KC, Timek TA, Gridley DS, Miles AG. The effect of AlloDerm envelopes on peri-prosthetic caspule formation with and without radiation. Plast Reconstr Surg 2009; 123: 807-16.
Sasaki GH, Komorowska-Timek E, Bennett DC, Gabriel A. An objective comparison of holding, slippage, and pull-out tensions for eight suspension sutures in the malar fat pads of fresh-frozen human cadavers. Aesthet Surg J. 2008 Jul-Aug;28(4):387-96.
Komorowska-Timek E, Hardesty RA. Successful reattachment of a nearly amputated ear without microsurgery. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008;121: 165e-9e
Komorowska-Timek E, Timek TA, Brady S, Buncke HJ. Perfusion, Viability, and Pedicle Dependence in Acute and Delayed Rat Island Skin Flaps. Microsurgery 2007;27: 146-51.
Komorowska-Timek E, Gabriel A, Bennett DC, Miles D, Garberoglio C, Cheng C, Gupta S. Artificial Dermis as an Alternative for Coverage of Complex Scalp Defects Following Excision of Malignant Tumors. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005,115:1010-1017
Komorowska-Timek E, Teruya TH, Abou-Zamzam AM, Papa D, Ballard JL. Treatment of Radial and Ulnar Artery Pseudoaneurysms Using Percutaneous Thrombin Injection. J Hand Surg (Am) 2004, 29A: 936-942
Komorowska-Timek E, Timek TA, Brevetti LS, Szuba A, Stuehlinger M, Hardesty RA, Buncke HJ. Oral Administration Of L-Arginine Decreases Necrosis Of The Epigastric Skin Flap In The Rat. Ann Plast Surg 2004, 53: 73-78.
Komorowska-Timek E. Timek TA, Brevetti LS, Zhang F, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ. The Effect of Single Administration Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor or L-Arginine on Necrosis And Vasculature Of The Epigastric Flap In The Rat Model. Br J Plast Surg 2004, 57: 317-325
Komorowska-Timek E, Zhang F, Shi DY, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ. The Effect of Cryopreservation On Patency And Histological Changes of Arterial Isogenic and Allogeneic Grafts in The Rat Model. Ann Plast Surg. 2002 Oct;49(4):404-409
Hui KC, Zhang F, Shaw WW, Tylor A, Komorowska-Timek E, Lineaweaver WC. Assessment of the Patency of Microvascular Venous Anastomosis. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2002 Feb, 18(2):111-114
Fischer K, Zhang F, Komorowska-Timek E, Guo M, Dorsett-Martin W, Buncke HJ, Lineaweaver WC. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Improves The Flap Survival In A Rat TRAM Flap Model. Plastic Surgical Forum 2000, 23:21-23.
Zhang, F, Fischer K, Komorowska-Timek E, Guo M, Cui D, Dorsett-Martin W, Buncke HJ, Lineaweaver WC. Improvement of Skin Paddle Survival by Application of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in a Rat TRAM Flap Model. Ann Plast Surg. 2001 Mar;46(3):314-319.
Chen SG, Zhang F, Komorowska-Timek E, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: Acromoitrapezius Flap: A New Osteomuscular Free Flap Model in the Rat. Br J Plast Surg. 2000 Oct;53(7):612-615
Shi DY, Zhang F, Kryger Z, Komorowska-Timek E, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen on the Healing of the Vascular Anastomosis. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1999 Oct;15(7):539-45
Dogan T, Zhang F, Kryger Z, Komorowska-Timek E, Shi DY, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: Saphenous Neurocutaneous Island Flap Model in the Rat Necrosis. Evaluation of Vascular Supply. Ann Plast Surg. 1999 Oct;43(4):416-420
Hu M, Sabelman EE, Lai S, Komorowska-Timek E, Zhang F, Hentz VR, Lineaweaver WC. Polypeptide Resurfacing Method Improves Fibroblast’s Adhesion To Hyaluronan Strands. J Biomed Mater Res 1999 Oct;47(1):79-84
Komorowska-Timek E, Chen SG, Zhang F, Dogan T, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: Prolonged Topical Use of Verapamil and Lidocaine Decreases Skin Flap Necrosis. Ann Plast Surg. 1999 Sep;43(3):283-288
Dogan T, Kryger Z, Zhang F, Shi, DY, Komorowska-Timek E, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: The Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Flap: The Largest Muscle Flap Model in the Rat. J Reconstr Microsurg 1999 Aug;15(6):433-437
Kryger Z, Dogan T, Zhang F, Komorowska-Timek E, Shi DY, Cheng C, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: The Effect of VEGF Administration Following Ischemia on Survival of the Gracilis Muscle Flap in the Rat. Ann Plast Surg. 1999 Aug;43(2):172-178
Hui KCW, Zhang F, Komorowska-Timek E, Bloom H, Lineaweaver WC. Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm as the Initial Symptom of Systemic Vibrio Vulnificus Infection. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1999 Jul;24(4):715-717
Komorowska-Timek E, Newlin L, Zhang F, Dogan T, Lineaweaver WC, Buncke HJ: Rat Teeth Shortening Prevents Autocannibalization of Surgical Flaps. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1999 May;15(4):303-306
OUT-OF-TOWN PATIENTS
come visit us
It’s not uncommon for patients to travel to Grand Rapids for plastic surgery from all over Michigan, surounging states, and even other countries. With Dr. Timek’s international notoriety, we welcome patients from all around the world. Our out-of-town patient page gives a break down of accommodations & recommendations in the area.
Patient Resources
Advanced Plastic Surgery
We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out.