The Surgical Artist's Blog

Noses come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s not uncommon to feel like your nose isn’t a good “fit” for your face. In fact, nose dissatisfaction is so common that rhinoplasty was the #2 most popular cosmetic surgery in 2012, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Rhinoplasty (sometimes referred to as “nose reshaping” or a “nose job”) is not performed simply for aesthetic reasons, however. A rhinoplasty can also be instrumental in improving breathing function by correcting structural problems within the nose.

Since we started our blog in 2008, we’ve covered dozens of topics related to cosmetic surgery. When choosing our blog topics, we take into account the interests of our readers and patients, and target the issues for which we receive the most questions.

Scroll through some of our “greatest hits” posts below to see which of our articles have been the most popular since we started blogging!

Dimples are adorable—when the dimples in question are in a baby’s cheeks. Dimples on our own thighs, bottom, or stomach…not so much.

The lumpy, bumpy skin caused by cellulite is as common as it is unsightly—upwards of 85% of women have it somewhere. Yet knowing it’s a common problem, doesn’t make it easier come swimsuit season!

Q. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT A FACELIFT CANNOT FIX?
A. A traditional facelift treats the lower two-thirds of the face: the cheeks, jowls and neck. It will not improve areas of the upper face such as the brow or eye areas, which are better treated with a brow-lift. If you want a more youthful appearance overall, Dr. Nease can discuss a facelift along with different options for the eye and forehead area based on your goals during your consultation.

Q. CAN LIPOSUCTION HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT?
A. Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery. We recommend being close to your ideal weight before any cosmetic procedure. Liposuction is for targeted fat loss to improve the contour of a problem area. It is better thought of as liposculpting to create beautiful shapes that are long-lasting despite minor fluctuations in weight loss or gain.

Words like Belotero, Restylane, CO2 and “fat transfer” may not be in your everyday vocabulary, but you’ve probably heard about one problem that they are each excellent at addressing: hollow eyes.

Hollow eyes result when fat loss due to aging, genetics, or even extreme weight loss causes the area around the eyes to look bony, sunken and “hollowed out.” This can make dark shadows and wrinkles look more prominent, causing you to appear fatigued and older than you really are.

Because eyes are so important to first impressions, many are distressed when they start to see these  changes. However, there are several non-surgical alternatives to help you rejuvenate the eye area, creating a more rested, youthful appearance.

Belotero can be an excellent solution to adding volume back to the delicate area around the eyes. A hyaluronic acid, Belotero provides subtle, natural-looking results with minimal swelling, no downtime and often immediate results. Because it is a thin, light product, Belotero can be used closer to the surface than other products without causing discoloration. Best of all, your Belotero treatment can last from 6-12 months.

Restylane is a hyaluronic acid product commonly referred to as a “dermal filler.” When Restylane is injected into the under eye area, also known as the “tear trough,” it smooths out and softens the hollow look. Results can last up to 9 months, with minimal bruising that typically resolves within one week. Restylane is a good option for someone with moderate to severe hollowing who is not yet ready for a surgical solution but who desires an immediate improvement.

Belotero and Restylane are very similar products, both safe and effective at filling in the tear troughs.

CO2 laser resurfacing is another excellent, non-surgical way to achieve immediate results in creating a more youthful looking eye area. CO2 therapy improves skin tone and texture, and tightens the skin around the eyes to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The fractional CO2 laser is considered the “gold standard” of resurfacing lasers, with a typical recovery time of a week to ten days, during which the skin will be reddened and slightly swollen. Patients can opt to be lightly sedated during the procedure for a more comfortable experience.

Finally, fat transfer is an excellent, natural approach to improving hollow eyes. During a fat transfer, Dr. Deal or Dr. Nease will harvest your body’s own fat from other areas via an incision so tiny it does not even require a suture. After the fat has been filtered for impurities, it will be injected into targeted areas around your eyes. Because the fat comes from your own body, this is a very safe, well-tolerated procedure and an excellent way to improve the contours of your eyes. Additionally, fat transfer combined with CO2 laser resurfacing is a highly effective method for rejuvenating the lower eyelid and surrounding area.

While more expensive than fillers, fat transfer is actually a more affordable option when you consider that the results can last for years.

If you’re “eyeing” any of these procedures to help you look more youthful and rested, please give us a call at 423-266-3331! Both Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal are award-winning, board-certified surgeons who have performed more than 10,000 cosmetic surgery procedures in the last seven years. Their commitment to safe, quality, and cutting-edge care is one of the reasons that Southern Surgical Arts is consistently recognized as Best of the Best.

A tummy tuck , also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure many women desire to get rid of excess fat and saggy skin from the abdomen.  The results are tighter skin, flat tummy area and a narrower waistline.  Even though surgeons have performed tummy tucks for more than a century, the procedure gained popularity around the beginning of the 21^st century and has now emerged as one of most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US and the world. Recent statistics over the past decade provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggest that more than 100,000 tummy tuck surgeries are performed each year in the US.

When most people think of landing their dream job, they think of ‘dressing to impress,’ keeping current on their job skills, polishing their resumes, and networking, networking, networking. But recent research shows that hiring managers may be making decisions based on physical appearance as the primary factor.

In a Newsweek study from July 2010, more than half of the surveyed hiring managers reported that the candidates they perceive as less attractive are likely to have a harder time landing a job, and recommended candidates place as much importance on their looks as on their resume.

The study concluded, “Beauty has more influence than ever—not just over who we work with, but whether we work at all.”

As if job hunting wasn’t stressful enough already!

This so-called ‘beauty-bias’ has some job-seekers turning to cosmetic surgery to give them a competitive edge in today’s crowded job marketplace.

This phenomenon is not limited to women—professional men are also pursuing procedures like Botox, fillers, and blepharoplasty (eye surgery) to look younger, friendlier and more approachable.

While we’re not necessarily convinced that physical appearance trumps qualifications, education, and a winning personality in securing your dream job (maybe we’re just idealistic!), we do know that one of the most important attributes you can carry to the workplace—and everywhere else—is confidence.

If you want to improve your physical appearance and are concerned about putting your best foot forward in your job hunt, ongoing career, or just day to day living, we can help. Our highly-qualified, board-certified cosmetic surgeons will be happy to discuss your concerns with you and see if we can offer any solutions. Call 423-266-3331 for your free consultation.

Southern Surgical Arts is extremely excited to share the progress of our new 27,000 square foot building located in Chattanooga's Southside. The new building is slated for completion in May of 2014 -- only 6 months away! The building will include two surgical suites to allow Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal to better serve patients desiring cosmetic surgery.