Dr. John Mancoll is a highly esteemed plastic surgeon with years of experience in the industry. Currently based in Virginia Beach, he specializes in cosmetic surgery, body contouring, reconstructive surgery, breast surgery, and DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Throughout his career, Mancoll’s research has been widely published in several journals, showcasing his deep understanding and expertise.
Mancoll’s primary focus is on breast and body surgery. He has performed over five thousand breast reconstruction surgeries, specializing in DIEP flap reconstruction. Mancoll is renowned for performing this complex surgery within four hours, enabling patients to return home the next day—a significant advantage in the recovery process.
John Mancoll’s journey began with a solid educational foundation. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Guilford College in 1986, where he was an active member of several societies, served on the Honor Roll, and received the Student Leadership Award. He then attended Eastern Virginia Medical School, earning his medical degree and completing clerkships in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and basic science. His academic excellence continued, earning him multiple scholarships and another Student Leadership Award.
In the medical industry, staying current with the latest advancements is crucial. Mancoll is committed to lifelong learning and professional development, actively participating in organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This involvement helps him stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in plastic surgery.
Patient care is at the heart of John Mancoll’s practice. He prides himself on educating his patients about their surgical options, ensuring they are well informed and comfortable with their decisions. Mancoll believes that post-surgical care is just as important as the surgery itself. He dedicates time to answering questions and addressing concerns, treating his patients as part of his extended family.
Mancoll is dedicated to sharing his expertise with the broader medical community. His extensive work includes numerous publications, journal articles, presentations, and television appearances, notably on Healthline on PBS. Notable works include “The Effects of Tamoxifen on Wound Healing” and “Wound Repair and Regeneration” (co-authored with Lewis, B.K., Colen, L., Perry, R), as well as “pH Monitoring of Free Flap” presented at the Microsurgical Research Council Annual Meeting.
In addition to his publications, Mancoll has received several grants for his research, including a recent grant from the Sealy Center on Aging to study the effects of platelet-derived growth factor on incisional wound healing in aged rats. He is currently involved in six active research studies, exploring topics such as IV sedation in breast surgery and the fate of submuscularly placed breast implants.
John Mancoll’s distinguished career in plastic surgery is marked by his exceptional surgical skills, commitment to education, and dedication to patient care. His contributions to the field through research, publications, and innovative surgical techniques have established him as a leader in plastic surgery. At the same time, his compassionate approach ensures his patients receive the highest standard of care.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I have two types of workdays, clinical and surgical. On clinical days, I see patients in my office for new consultations, pre-op visits, and follow-ups. On operative days, I only perform surgeries. Plastic surgery involves so many different types of procedures that no two days are ever the same. I try to start each day off with a “team huddle” to go over the plan for the day with my staff. Staying organized, on schedule, and surrounding myself with an experienced team is the key to being the most productive that I can be.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Plastic surgery is a very creative specialty based on many core principles. Reconstructing a complex defect on a patient or figuring out how to make a 48-year-old mother of four look more like her pre-pregnancy self are very similar. Trying to recreate anatomy is based on seeing the problem and understanding how to manipulate the body tissue into looking, acting, and feeling how the patient wants. One amazing tool that I use in my practice to help bring ideas to life is the Vectra 3D Imaging System. It allows me to take a photo of the patient and then simulate the look that I feel the patient is trying to achieve so that I can make sure that our visions are aligned.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I have been starting to see a trend toward a more natural look in plastic surgery. It’s amazing to see how even subtle changes can produce such beautiful results and make such a difference in how a person looks and feels.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
To ensure that I have uninterrupted time to tend to the business side of the practice, I block a full day off my schedule during the first week of every month to focus solely on administrative tasks. I don’t see patients or operate on that day. It’s a day for meeting with the staff, brainstorming, sharing ideas, organizing, and getting things done!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Almost everyone I know thinks and says that I work too hard, but I disagree. Although my hours can be long and demanding, when you love what you do, the way that I do, it doesn’t feel like work.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I am constantly reevaluating the way I do things and looking for ways to improve. I think it’s important not to fear change. The motto of my practice is, “Change is beautiful…” A lot of patients come in apprehensive about change, and that is understandable, but I want them to instead be excited, thinking about all the positive things that can occur, both inside and out, when we dare to invite change into our lives.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take a break, drink a glass of water, and start reexamining the problem with a fresh perspective, and new mindset, as if I am looking at it for the very first time. This prevents me from getting bogged down by the situation and instead enables me to return with renewed energy and focus.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Showing up. Making myself accessible and always available when asked, with a willingness to work harder than anyone else in the room. When you give freely of your time people appreciate it and come to realize that you’re a person they can truly count on.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I failed to recognize how harmful any employee who disrupts the morale of the business can be. What I learned is that no matter how skilled someone is at their job, if their presence becomes detrimental to a peaceful work environment, they need to go. Skills can be taught, but caring and kindness cannot be.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I have a few entrepreneurial ideas that I hope to pursue one day, so I can’t really share them. Any of my other ideas would just make people laugh.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Dragon medical dictation has been a game changer in documentation and turning my thoughts and documentation into words
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Buying my wife flowers to let her know how much I appreciate her support and putting up with my long hours, she is a saint.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
Huberman Lab Podcast: Dr. Andrew Huberman talks about so many interesting health and wellness topics.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I am in the process of binge-watching the entire Big Bang Theory series. It appeals to the science nerd in me and reminds me of some of my friends throughout the years. I like to end each day with something lighthearted that makes me laugh and reminds me not to take life too seriously.
Key learnings:
- Mindset is everything. Tough situations require taking a step back, reevaluating, and looking at things through a fresh lens with a new perspective.
- You don’t always need a complicated business strategy to be successful. It can be as simple as consistently showing up and making yourself accessible. Time is precious, and people appreciate it when you give it freely.
- Don’t be afraid of change. Change is essential for progress. Change is beautiful!