The Surgical Artist's Blog

With the economy growing, the demand of cosmetic injectables will also grow. This is part of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's (ASAPS) 2011 predictions. In just a few minutes, wrinkles and folds can be minimized.

Americans are seeking ways to make their lives easier. This is evident with all the quick and easy dinner recipe books sold each year. At Southern Surgical Arts, this trend rolls over to patients who want fast ways to look rejuvenated and refreshed without traditional surgical techniques. "Non-surgical and quick alternatives to surgery are often preferable to patients who want to look a few years younger and only have a few minutes to give," said Chad Deal, MD.

At Southern Surgical Arts, Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal help patients reduce the appearance of wrinkles daily. Our practice is a leader in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area for ALL injectables and laser treatments and we offer a wide array of injectables, including Botox®, Restylane®, Dysport®, Perlane®, Juvederm® and Radiesse®. Our complimentary consultations offer a way for patients to talk to the surgeon about his/her goals and then allows physician to make recommendations that meets those goals.

Although injectables are growing, so are minimally invasive surgical techniques such as skin resurfacing. Southern Surgical Arts uses the Affirm CO2 and the Sciton Profractional lasers to improve skin texture, stimulate collagen and help eliminate sun damage. Carey Nease, MD pioneered the Laser Face Lift, which combines the Affirm CO2, Smart Liposuction to the neck and jowls and often injectables to give an overall improved results. Dr. Nease said about the Laser Facelift, "It is a quick, one-hour procedure with down time of only 3-5 days and very little pain, both during and after the procedure."

With offices in Chattanooga and Calhoun, Southern Surgical Arts offers the Chattanooga and North Georgia markets two convenient ways to pop in and out of our office with little time needed on the patient's behalf.

Chattanooga office, opening July 2011: 423-266-3331
Calhoun office, 706-629-8622

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.

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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There are many different types of Facelifts available and many promise minimal downtime, if any. The Vampire Facelift is a new type of Facelift that is gaining popularity (probably an effect of the Twilight craze) and the results last approximately two years. There is even a story today in the New York Times about the procedure. It uses your own blood to help provide a rejuvenated look to the face. Dr. Nease of Southern Surgical Arts warns patients to ask about the clinical studies and proven results, "The long-term results of this procedure, as well as other short-term Facelift options have yet to be proven."

At Southern Surgical Arts, we offer the traditional Facelift and the Laser Facelift. The traditional Facelift includes incisions, although at Southern Surgical Arts, Dr. Deal and Dr. Nease have specific expertise in minimizing scars. The Laser Facelift, developed by Dr. Nease, was designed for the patient who desires facial rejuvenation but is not ready for the traditional Facelift. The Laser Facelift combines Smart Liposuction, Laser Resurfacing and Fat Transfer 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 was presented at the annual American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery conference in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2011 and the initial results show that over 75% of patients were highly satisfied.

When researching a Facelift that is right for you, make sure you ask:

1. How long the results will last?

2. How many procedures has the surgeon performed?

3. Does the procedure require anesthesia or is it done in an office-based setting?

We are excited to announce that we've partnered with CareCredit to offer you a 12 Month No Interest plan to kick off the Fall Season. This is the absolute Best Time to get the Cosmetic Surgery you've been wanting from the Best Cosmetic Surgeon in the North Georgia and Chattanooga area. Have you seen Dr. Nease's before and after gallery? 12 Months No Interest? This is the best time to call us! Call us to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Nease and learn how he can use the latest technology with SmartLipo, laser rejuvenation, skin resurfacing, fat transfer, cosmetic surgery skill, and now 12 months No-Interest. Let us know how we can help you achieve your goals. The 12-Months No Interest plan ends October 31st, so call and schedule your consultation quickly! ~ Pam