The Surgical Artist's Blog

I had a patient come in for a follow up this week who had a Tummy Tuck and SmartLipo a few months ago, and I just wanted to share with you her before and after pictures. This patient is a 38 year old who came to me with concerns of excess skin and fat deposits on her abdomen and flanks. The after pictures were taken 8 weeks after surgery. Recovery time is about 2-3 weeks to be back to normal activities and even some light exercise. You can see in this picture that she is going to be wearing her bikini when she heads to the beach for vacation later this month. She is extremely happy with her results, and it makes me feel great to help women like her feel good about themselves and their bodies again. Getting results like this and making people happy is very rewarding, and I love my job!
~ Dr. Nease

Last week I had a great experience operating at Grandview Medical Center in Jasper, TN, about 20 minutes West of Chattanooga. I did an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with Smartlipo (laser lipo) of the flanks and thighs. The OR staff was excellent and the patient had a great experience as well. She was able to stay overnight for observation and went home the next day. She commented that her care was as good as she could hope for, and she felt comfortable with the entire experience. I'm happy to be able to partner with a quality, private hospital in the greater Chattanooga area and provide a safe and comfortable experience for my cosmetic surgery patients. I'll be working at Grandview on most Fridays going forward and will be available to see consults there in the Medical Arts office building next to the hospital. ~ Dr. Nease

I get so excited for my patients! We did a tummy tuck on a mother of four who was tired of being asked if she was pregnant. At her last follow up appointment, she was so happy to have a flat tummy! She was telling me how fun it is to get dressed and not have to worry about hiding her stomach. I have the best job ever! ~ Jennifer, RN, BSN

I have exciting news about my practice and Southern Surgical Arts! I have been selected as one of only 20 Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship training programs in the country by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) beginning July 2010. The program is designed to train future Cosmetic Surgeons for a one year period in the field of general cosmetic surgery. Expertise in both facial and body cosmetic surgical procedures is the primary goal, and eligible candidates include ABMS board-certified general surgeons, plastic surgeons and head and neck surgeons. The AACS is a prestigious organization of Cosmetic Surgeons from around the country, established nearly 30 years ago. There are currently about 3,000 members of the AACS and more than 500 board-certified cosmetic surgeons in the USA. I am both an active member of the AACS and diplomat of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which is a requirement for Directors of Cosmetic Surgery training programs.

I am pleased to announce my new fellow, Vincent Gardner, MD, who is a board-certified general surgeon from Birmingham, AL. He joined me July 1st and has quickly become a part of the team at Southern Surgical Arts. Upon completion of the program in June, 2011, Dr. Gardner will be considered an expert in facial rejuvenation surgery, cosmetic breast surgery including augmentation, lift and reduction, tummy tucks and liposculpture. He has been well received by my current patients, he has excellent surgical skills and I have high expectations that he will successfully complete my program and contribute to the field of Cosmetic Surgery.

Interested surgeons who qualify and wish to apply for my 2011 position will find the application information on the AACS website, www.cosmeticsurgery.org.

It seems like this new procedure, the Mommy Makeover, has really become popular in the North Georgia and Chattanooga area. I have been asked numerous times to describe the procedure and have been doing it for about 2 years now with extremely good results and happy patients. Basically this procedure takes a woman from her current post-baby condition with stretch marks, drooping breasts and areas of stubborn, unwanted fat deposits, and takes her back to those confident pre-pregnancy days.

The most common combination of procedures is a tummy tuck with breast augmentation, breast lift and Smartlipo laser body sculpting of the abdomen and flanks (love handles). The breast procedure is done with either saline or silicone implants, and the type of lift done is specific to each individual patient. Sometimes no lift is necessary, which minimizes scarring. I typically perform a lollipop type of lift, which gives a significant lift and "perky" appearance while keeping scars very small. The tummy tuck is nearly always necessary, but my technique again minimizes scarring, keeping it low and as short as possible while getting a very tight and flat stomach.

Down-time is usually only about 10 days. My goal is simply to give you the confidence to wear a Bikini type bathing suit this summer or on your next vacation to the beach. Give us a call to set up your complimentary consultation!

I have some exciting news for those of you in the region near Jasper, TN, South Pittsburg and North Alabama! I have partnered with Grandview Medical Center in establishing a Cosmetic Surgery office and will offer cosmetic procedures beginning next month. This is certainly new to the area and we hope to provide high quality cosmetic services to the people in the surrounding communities. Procedures offered will include face lift and neck lift, rhinoplasty, eye and brow lifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks and Smartlipo laser body sculpting. Medical Spa services will include laser hair removal, chemical peels, Botox, Restylane, microdermabrasion and spa facials. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you achieve your cosmetic goals!