Mats Hagstrom, M.D., is what many would call a Renaissance man. Not only is he a well-respected plastic surgeon in the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) Department of Cosmetic Surgery at the Fremont Center, but he is also a talented chef and winemaker.

"I enjoy the diversity of plastic surgery cases," Hagstrom says. "I don't differentiate between cosmetic and plastic surgery -- we use the same techniques for cosmetic surgery that we do to treat patients with cancer or who have accidents. It's all about restoring form and function and helping people."

Hagstrom says he strives to understand aesthetics as an art form and apply various medical techniques to help a patient achieve his or her goal.

"It's fascinating to see a patient who may, for example, want a nose job," he explains. "The person's nose might be completely fine, but her chin might be too small, posing the real problem. These types of relationships and balance are very interesting. I like helping patients see where the best improvements can be made."

Hagstrom got the cooking bug when he attended San Francisco State University. He went to see a friend, a cook at the renowned restaurant Masa's, and was captivated by Chef Bill Galloway's activities in the kitchen.

"I became obsessed overnight with cooking, and quickly learned basic French sauces and cuisine," Hagstrom says. "When I graduated, I couldn't stand the thought of going to work in a suit every day. Instead, I worked for the next year as an apprentice with Bill and another chef, Julio Serrano, at Masa's."

Although Hagstrom left his cooking career to pursue medicine, he still dons his chef hat at home. "I like to show off by putting a pot on the stove and having fresh pasta made before the water boils," he says.

Hagstrom says his interest in wine "just came with the food." He later met a patient who owned a vineyard in Napa and offered to sell him grapes. Hagstrom couldn't refuse the offer. He rented a truck, bought a French barrel and started making wine with a friend. One thing led to another, and now Hagstrom and his friend own a small winery called Travieso Winery, specializing in premium cabernet sauvignon, sangiovesse and syrah.

Hagstrom received his M.D. degree in 1993 from Boston University School of Medicine after attending San Francisco State University and Stanford University. He then completed a plastic surgery internship and residency at University of California, Irvine.

Born in Sweden, Hagstrom moved to the United States at age 14 when his father, who is on the Nobel Prize committee for physics, was asked to spearhead the Palo Alto Research Center. Hagstrom now lives in Palo Alto with his wife, Karen.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hagstrom, call 510-498-2134 or e-mail the Fremont Center.