Carla Pajak
General, Acute, Breast, Endocrine and Sarcoma Surgeon
MD 2012 Toronto; FRCS(C) 2018; Spec Cert General Surgery 2018 RCPS (C)
Dr Carla Pajak is a specialist surgeon with a focus on breast, endocrine and soft tissue cancer surgery. She completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of British Columbia and her medical degree at the University of Toronto. She then did her general surgery training at UBC and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC). She completed a two-year, dedicated breast surgery fellowship in oncoplastic techniques through the BreastSurgANZ training scheme, plus additional training in endocrine surgery and the surgical management of soft tissue malignancies.
Carla is a consultant surgeon at Auckland City Hospital. She moved to Auckland in 2018 and now lives here permanently with her husband and three children.
Areas of expertise
Breast cancer and benign breast conditions
Breast surgery, including oncoplastic surgery and reconstruction
Therapeutic breast reduction and aesthetic flat closure
Thyroid and parathyroid conditions and surgery
Adrenal surgery, including laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy
Skin cancer, including melanoma
Skin cancer excision, including flap and skin graft reconstruction
Lymph node excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy
Skin and superficial lumps, including lipomas and cysts
Umbilical hernia repair
Q&A with Carla
How do you help patients feel comfortable during a procedure?
I take time beforehand to explain what will happen and answer questions, so there are no surprises on the day. I work closely with my anaesthetic and theatre teams to make the experience as calm and smooth as possible.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy helping people navigate their diagnosis and care, guiding them through each step and supporting them in making the decisions that are right for them. It’s a privilege to support patients at what can be a very difficult time.
What areas of care are you particularly focused on?
Cancer surgery is the main focus of my practice, particularly breast cancer, where I use oncoplastic techniques to remove the cancer while preserving the best possible cosmetic result. I also treat thyroid and skin cancers, including melanoma, as well as a range of benign conditions.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and our three busy children, enjoying all that New Zealand has to offer. Yoga helps me find a little calm in between.
LAPAROSCOPY AUCKLAND (Surgical Services)
148 Gillies Ave, Epsom, Auckland 1023
0800 527 276 or (09) 623 8525.
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ENDOSCOPY AUCKLAND
22 Kipling Ave, Epsom, Auckland 1023
0800 ENDOSCOPY (0800 363 672) or (09) 623 2020
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