The Surgical Artist's Blog

Southern Surgical Arts opened its new office in the One North Shore development, next to Renaissance Park, last month bringing with it four new staff members from the Chattanooga area.  Southern Surgical Arts is the cosmetic surgery practice of Carey Nease, MD, a Triple-Board Certified Cosmetic and Facial Plastic Surgeon and Chad Deal, MD, a Double-Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon.

The new location at One North Shore will allow Drs. Nease and Deal to have a convenient location for their patients in the Chattanooga area.  “We are excited about our new office, especially since we are closer to where the majority of our patients live,” said Dr. Nease.  Both Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal operate at Physicians Surgery Center in Chattanooga, Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, TN and at Southern Surgical Arts’ AAAHC accredited surgery center in Calhoun, GA.

Another way Southern Surgical Arts is adding to the downtown Chattanooga economy is by training surgeons from across the country.  On June 30 of this year, SSA graduated its first training fellow, Vincent Gardner, MD, who completed his fellowship year with over 1,000 cosmetic surgery procedures performed.  “The next day, we welcomed Dr. Tara Margarella, a general surgeon from New York, who will spend the next year training with us, and we anticipate her experience to be even better,” said Dr. Deal.  The cosmetic surgery fellowship at Southern Surgical Arts is one of 26 American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery-approved year-long training programs in the United States.

Beginning July 2012, Southern Surgical Arts will train two cosmetic surgery fellows per year.  Dr. Nease said that both fellows for July 2012 have already been accepted and will relocate to Chattanooga from Kansas City, Missouri and Lexington, Kentucky.

Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal also teach other surgeons across the United States the latest techniques in cosmetic surgery including laser-assisted liposuction, or SmartLipo.  They hosted an international facial rejuvenation course last March at Southern Surgical Arts’ surgery center in Calhoun, GA, and attendees included surgeons from Canada, Phoenix, England and the Southeastern US.

Other current staff members in the Chattanooga office include two licensed aetheticians and two patient coordinators.  Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal are also introducing a new custom skincare line with the opening of the new office on One North Shore.  “We have spent the past year researching our own blend of effective ingredients so that our patients get the best results in a prescription skincare,” said Dr. Deal  “And combined with our laser technology, we really can help our patients get maximum benefits.”

Southern Surgical Arts just introduced its newest laser, the Sciton Joule Profractional, which makes it the tenth laser in use in the practice.  The Sciton Profactional laser can perform resurfacing procedures as well as microlaser peels, which is equivalent to about ten microdermabrasion treatments.

“We research the latest technology, understand and master the application and then provide it to our patients,” said Dr. Nease.  “Results matter to cosmetic surgery patients, and you’ve got to stay on top of technology to provide the best outcomes possible.”

We often hear the question, "Am I too old for cosmetic surgery" or "Am I too young?" The answer is there is no right age for surgery. At Southern Surgical Arts, our recommendations are customized for each patient and based on the patient's medical history. Choosing an experienced and qualified surgeon to perform your procedure is key to ensuring your safety. When you get ready to choose any cosmetic surgeon, always consider the following:

1. Make sure the surgeon is board-certified in cosmetic or plastic surgery.

2. Make sure the surgeon primarily performs cosmetic surgery and performs numerous cosmetic procedures a year.

3. Ask to see before and after pictures! Make sure there are more than 2-3 examples, which is only a representation of the best procedures. You should be able to see numerous examples of consistently good results.

Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal are happy to provide you with a complimentary consultation and discuss if cosmetic surgery is right for you!

Chattanooga, One North Shore: 423-266-3331
Calhoun: 706-629-8622

Need a few recommendations for fixes to summer figures and faces? Here are a few from Southern Surgical Arts:

Southern Surgical Arts has been selected as the Reader's Choice for Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice in North Georgia. "We are pleased to be selected as the Reader's Choice for Cosmetic Surgery in North Georgia! Our goal is to provide our patients with artistic cosmetic surgery like FaceLifts, Breast Augmentations, Tummy Tucks and SmartLipo.  We specialize in natural enhancements with minimal downtime and minimal scarring using the latest technology available," said Dr. Carey Nease and Dr. Chad Deal.

We recently came across an article that was titled, Invisible Eyelid Surgery Now a Reality. This technique for eyelid surgery may have a new name; but it has been a surgical option at Southern Surgical Arts for many years. In fact, the CO2 laser is used in a facelifting technique called the Laser Facelift, in which our Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon, Carey Nease pioneered.

In the Laser Face Lift technique, we use the CO2 in conjunction with the Smart Liposuction and often Fat Transfer. However, "The CO2 laser has many benefits for the skin, including tightening the skin around the eyes," said Dr. Nease. "I've used this laser in my practice for many years for more than just eyes but overall facial rejuvenation that helps reduce wrinkles and sun damage."

If you are looking for added benefits to your eye surgery or overall facial rejuvenation, seek out a surgeon who has the most advanced laser technology. At Southern Surgical Arts, we are proud to be the most advanced laser practice in North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Question: How does the CO2 laser compare to chemical peels?

Answer: The CO2 laser is very different from a chemical peel.  The laser treatment is intended to significantly rejuvenate the facial skin, including removing a majority of the skin's sun damage, pigment changes and fine lines.  It should also be able to tighten the skin and soften deep wrinkles and improve acne scarring.  The down time is usually 3-7 days.  Most chemical peels have the goal of mild to moderate skin exfoliation, improvements in surface texture, resolution of acne breakouts, and an overall "glow."  Down time is typically 1-3 days, if any. A deep chemical peel can have significant rejuvenating effects, but with the more advanced fractional CO2 laser technology available, the deep chemical peel is rarely used in our practice.

Answer provided by Triple Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon, Carey Nease in Chattanooga, Tennessee and North Georgia. Call for your appointment at Southern Surgical Arts: 423-266-3331 or 706-629-8622.

Question: How Do Chemical Peels Affect Rosacea?

Answer: People with Rosacea typically have very sensitive skin and a chemical peel can cause the skin and vessels to react and flare up more. Thus, causing more redness and sensitivity. I would recommend treating the skin with a good at home regimen and possibly treating with an IPL/fotofacial.

Answer provided by our Aesthestician, Leigh Hudgens in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Call for your appointment at Southern Surgical Arts: 423-266-3331