The Surgical Artist's Blog

In the South, we start getting ready for summer in April. The heat hits, and we're ready to pack up and head to sunny beaches. And lots of weddings. Are you ready? Here are some ways Southern Surgical Arts can help you get looking your best and ready for summer:

We recently came across this post where a plastic surgeon will be presenting a new face lift technique at the Aesthetics meeting organized by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF). This new Face Lift, as written in the article said, "The new cosmetic surgery approach involves lifting and filling areas where fat compartments in the face have degenerated with age, as opposed to previous face lift techniques which focused on pulling the skin tight. The new technique eliminates the undesirable windswept look that has received much negative press, and replaces it with a fuller, more youthful look."

At Southern Surgical Arts, our surgeons are fellowship-trained Cosmetic Surgeons where this technique has been taught for many years. Dr. Carey Nease, Double-Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and the pioneer of the Laser Face Lift said, "I've been doing this for many years." So the idea that this is a new face lift technique proves that some surgeons are just catching up with what Cosmetic Surgeons have been doing for years.

Dr. Deal and Dr. Nease have been explaining the difference in face lift techniques for quite some time. In fact, each of our potential patients leave knowing that there is a difference between the Plastic Surgery Traditional Face lift, Fad Lifts, The Cosmetic Surgery Face Lift and Southern Surgical Arts' Laser Face Lift. The differences are noted as:

Traditional Plastic Face Lift
The traditional plastic face lift procedure involves significant reduction in excess skin, neck banding and wrinkles. The benefit to having a traditional face lift is that you will have very noticeable results. The downside is that the surgeons who learned this technique did not likely learn how to add the refining touches to make the patient look natural or focus on minimal scarring. Women and men no longer want to look hollow, pulled or plastic and have unsightly, visible scars, all obvious signs of surgery.

Benefits: 10-15 years younger
Downside: Scars, plastic look, long recovery (4-6 weeks), long surgery, general anesthesia

Fad Lifts
An answer to the downside of the traditional face lift came about in the 1990s with mini face lifts like LifeStyle, Feather, S-lift, MACS lift, String lifts, etc.  These fad mini face lifts were and are in demand because many patients want the benefits of looking younger but also are seeking to minimize scarring, cost and recovery. These mini face lifts are typically less expensive and can be done under conscious sedation or even local anesthesia. The problem is that very often they do not have significant or long lasting results.

Benefits: Minimal scars, short recovery, local anesthesia
Downside: Little results

The Cosmetic Face lift (at Southern Surgical Arts) does include incisions, suturing and excess skin removal, although at Southern Surgical Arts, Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal have specific expertise in minimizing scars and placing them in well-hidden areas that are difficult to find.  They also offer fat transfer and lipo-sculpting the face for a more natural, youthful appearance.  Both surgeons have been using the latest techniques and laser technology for the past 4 years at Southern Surgical Arts to provide our patients the answer to beautiful, long-lasting, natural results in facelifts. As Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons and an eye for artistry, they use advanced laser technology to get maximum results along with minimal scarring and quick recovery.

Benefits: 15-20 years younger, minimal scars, short recovery (10-14 days)
Downside: IV sedation anesthesia





The Laser Face lift (at Southern Surgical Arts), developed by Dr. Nease, was designed for the patient who desires facial rejuvenation but is not ready for a traditional Cosmetic Facelift with incisions and skin removal. The Laser Face lift combines Smart Liposuction, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Fat Transfer, Botox and fillers to the face, which makes a person look approximately five years younger.  Additionally, the Laser Resurfacing to the skin can be performed several times for optimal results. The Laser Facelift clinical study conducted by Dr. Nease in 2010 was presented at the annual American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery conference in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2011 and the initial results showed that more than 75% of patients were highly satisfied.

Benefits: 5-10 years younger, no scars, short recovery (5-7 days)
Downside: IV sedation anesthesia

For more information about Cosmetic Surgery Face Lifts or The Laser Face Lift at Southern Surgical Arts, please call 423-266-3331. Consultations are complimentary, and we are always happy to provide examples of the different approaches to Face Lifts so that patients can make an informed decision.

Are plastic surgeons the only group of surgeons who can perform cosmetic surgery? According to this recent article by the editor of Plastic Surgery Practice, the answer is no. He does, however, caution consumers about choosing a qualified cosmetic surgeon. The editor said "The challenge, as I started to say, is to deal with those who somehow slip through the credentialing mesh and set up shop with little more than a few weekends of training in injectables, laser-based procedures, and even full surgical procedures. This can be regulated by existing organizations who must adapt to the changes occurring all around them. I want to trust those people to implement the proper training and testing to accommodate any qualified specialist who is intent upon breaking into the aesthetic field."

At Southern Surgical Arts, we could not agree more. Again make sure that you choose a qualified cosmetic surgeon. We recently wrote an article that included what you should expect from your cosmetic surgeon:  http://southernsurgicalarts.com/index.cfm/PageID/6863?p=303

It has been said that learning continues over a lifetime, and this is especially true in the field of cosmetic surgery. Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal recently had the honor of  learning from the master of Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gaylon McCollough. Dr. Deal and Dr. McCollough are both from Birmingham, Alabama where Dr. Deal knew of Dr. McCollough's work from a young age. "When I first met Dr. McCollough, I was star struck," said Dr. Deal. "I grew up hearing of Dr. McCollough's work and it was an honor to be invited to learn from him now that I've chosen cosmetic surgery as my career."

During Dr. Deal and Dr. Nease's visit at the beautiful, world-renowned McCollough Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. McCollough not only shared his facial surgery techniques with them, but also business advice. "Dr. Deal and I were very fortunate to learn of the successes and failures of someone who has been down this path before us," said Dr. Nease. "Dr. Deal and I are getting ready to take business ventures with our practice that Dr. McCollough has already experienced. What an blessing to hear dos and don'ts from a surgeon as successful and highly regarded as Dr. McCollough."



Paying it forward  is something Dr. McCollough, Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal believe is important. Good surgeons know that helping advance the field of medicine is often important for improving favorable patient outcomes and patient safety. Keeping that information to one's practice does nothing for the rest of those practicing medicine. Dr McCollough told us on our visit, "medicine is one of the only fields where we share our secrets." Other businesses keep their proprietary information within the organization. Imagine if  the field of medicine did that with surgery techniques. Many of our techniques would be very antiquated.

Is learning important? Of course it is! Our surgeons knew they could learn from a pioneer in Facial Plastic Surgery. In return though, Dr. Deal and Dr. Nease also pass on techniques they've learned from others and  by their cosmetic surgery experience. Just recently, Southern Surgical Arts hosted a Live Surgery Workshop for Facial Rejuvenation hosted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery with many surgeons from around the United States and Canada attending the event. It is a beautiful circle of learning.

Are you seeking out the experts in your field that can help you advance your techniques in the way you do business or life?

If you are looking for cosmetic surgery or facial plastic surgery enhancements, then you can trust the expertise of Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal.  They never stop learning or teaching in their field.

According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas - Austin, the answer is YES. Beauty has economic effects, which also effects happiness. Even psychologists weigh in on the study in a USA Today article. Todd Kashdan, an associate professor of psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va says,  "Think about it as a gateway to getting what you want from life -- job interviews, first dates, making those initial impressions, persuading and influencing other people," he says. "Attractiveness gives that slight edge. They're getting the benefit of the doubt at first sight, and unattractive people aren't."

Does that mean you should head to our office for cosmetic Surgery? Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal agree that it should only be used to enhance your own natural beauty. "Cosmetic surgery  is not meant to transform you into a completely different looking person," said Dr. Deal. "At Southern Surgical Arts, we specialize in natural enhancements with minimal downtime and minimal scarring using the latest technology available to either turn back the hands of time or restore your figure."

Physicians from around the world joined Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal at Southern Surgical Arts for an American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) Live Surgery Workshop on Facial Rejuvenation. There are approximately 10 of these workshops offered by the AACS in the U.S. each year. Doctors from Australia and Canada, as well as the United States joined us to learn the Facial Cosmetic Surgery techniques that help our patients discover the art of beauty. Techniques included both non-surgical and surgical techniques such as Face Lift, Liquid Face Lift (in this case, Botox®, Juvederm® and Radiesse®), Laser Resurfacing, Blepharoplasty, Fat Transfer, Facial Implants (chin and cheek) and Lip Augmentation. "I was excited to teach physicians from around the world the latest techniques for Facial Rejuvenation," said Dr. Nease.

Dr. Nease will also discuss his Laser Face Lift technique on a Web Cast hosted by Cynosure on April 6. Southern Surgical Arts, Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal are committed to staying abreast to the latest techniques available in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide our patients natural enhancements with minimal downtime and minimal scarring.

The Liquid Face Lift has received lots of media attention in the past year. The coined term, "Liquid Face Lift" is just a way to describe using fillers and other injectables to provide a patient with temporary facial rejuvenation and is a great solution for the patient who is seeking rejuvenation but is not quite ready for a Face Lift.  Many patients seek minimal downtime when considering any cosmetic procedures. Facial filler and injectables are good options for those who consider this an important factor in their decision-making process.  "A Liquid Face Lift is a procedure that can be done in the office in about 30 minutes and can make you look more youthful, refreshed and up to 5 years younger with essentially no down time.  Our patients see instant results and are happy that they have this alternative to surgery," said Dr. Nease.

According to the Liquid Face Lift Association, the Lift uses,  "dermal fillers such as Juvederm^® , Radiesse^®, Sculptra^® and Perlane^®, as well as BOTOX^®". And, something to consider when contemplating surgery is that a liquid face lift has benefits that can't be found with surgery, such as restoring natural facial contours and volume. A growing number of cosmetic surgeons are augmenting surgery with liquid face lift products to restore natural 3-dimensional contours to the face. Also, a liquid face lift is typically more subtle than surgery. An increasing number of individuals are trying liquid facelift procedures before traditional face lift procedures. At Southern Surgical Arts, our surgeons use these products on a weekly basis to provide our patients with the desired "lift." We are one of the top providers of fillers in North Georgia and Chattanooga, according to Allergan Consulting, which distributes Botox®, Juverderm® and Latisse®.

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We recently attended Formal Affair in Chattanooga, Tennessee and had an influx of soon-to-be brides requesting information on fillers and surgical procedures. Brides are increasingly turning to cosmetic surgery to get ready for their big day! We primarily see brides seeking Breast Augmentation, Smart Liposuction, fillers and other injectables such as Botox®. We also see patients requesting our laser technology, such as laser resurfacing, laser hair removal, treatment for acne and cellulite reduction. A Cosmetic Surgeon from California is seeing the same trend in cosmetic surgery and noted it in an article recently published.

Brides should consider the timing of their procedures. In fact, patients need about six months to see the final result of their surgical procedure. Further, Dr. Chad Deal notes that "patients getting married should remember to give themselves 2-4 weeks before a wedding for injectables and fillers and no less than three months for most surgical procedures."

Patients should always research the surgeon's education, training, experience and proven clinical competence. At Southern Surgical Arts, our surgeons are Fellowship-Trained Cosmetic Surgeons and Dr. Carey Nease is Board-Certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. We also encourage you to take a look at our Before and After Gallery and find how many women have discovered the art of beauty through cosmetic surgery.