BREAST ENHANCMENT

Breast Augmentation

Breast Lift

Breast Reduction

Breast Reconstruction

BODY ENHANCEMENT

Liposuction

Tummy Tuck

Skin Cancer Removal

FACIAL REJUVINATION

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Facelift

Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Cosmetic Surgery in Nashville

Cosmetic surgery, also known as aesthetic surgery or plastic surgery, is a branch of surgery that focuses on enhancing a person’s appearance and improving aesthetic proportions and symmetry. Unlike reconstructive surgery, which aims to restore normal function and appearance, cosmetic surgery is primarily elective and performed to achieve the patient’s desired cosmetic goals.

Cosmetic surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures that can address various aspects of a person’s appearance. Some common cosmetic surgery procedures include:

Breast Augmentation: This procedure involves the use of implants or fat transfer to enhance the size and shape of the breasts.

Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty, or a “nose job,” reshapes the nose to improve its appearance and, in some cases, address breathing problems.

Liposuction: Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body to improve contour and achieve a more sculpted appearance.

Facelift: A facelift is a surgical procedure that helps reduce signs of aging by tightening and lifting the facial skin and tissues.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): This procedure addresses issues such as sagging eyelids or puffy bags under the eyes to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, resulting in a firmer and flatter midsection.

Botox and Dermal Fillers: These non-surgical procedures involve the injection of substances to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and add volume to specific facial areas.

Body Contouring: Various procedures, such as body lifts, thigh lifts, and arm lifts, are performed to improve the overall shape and contour of the body.

Hair Transplantation: Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that restores hair in areas affected by baldness or thinning hair.

Laser Skin Resurfacing: This non-surgical procedure uses laser technology to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and address skin imperfections.

It’s important to note that cosmetic surgery should be performed by qualified and board-certified plastic surgeons who have undergone extensive training and have experience in the specific procedures. Patients considering cosmetic surgery should have realistic expectations, undergo a thorough consultation with a qualified surgeon, and carefully weigh the risks and benefits before proceeding with any elective surgical procedure.

  1. Breast Augmentation Dominates: Breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, accounting for approximately 18% of all surgical cosmetic procedures in 2020 in the United States.
  2. Liposuction Prevalence: Liposuction is another highly sought-after surgical procedure, representing about 15% of all cosmetic surgeries performed in the U.S. in 2020.
  3. Minimally Invasive Procedures on the Rise: Minimally invasive procedures continue to gain popularity, with treatments like Botox and dermal fillers seeing a 14% increase from 2019 to 2020.
  4. Gender Diversity: While the majority of cosmetic surgery patients are still women, the number of men seeking cosmetic procedures is on the rise. In 2020, men accounted for approximately 9% of all cosmetic surgery patients, a percentage that has been steadily increasing.

Top 3 Cosmetic Procedures

The following were among the top three cosmetic procedures commonly performed by plastic surgeons:

Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammoplasty):

Breast augmentation involves the use of implants or fat grafting to increase the size and enhance the shape of a woman’s breasts. It has consistently been one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures worldwide.

Liposuction (Lipoplasty):

Liposuction is a procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body to improve contour and achieve a more sculpted appearance. It’s a popular choice for both men and women looking to address stubborn pockets of fat.

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job):

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape and enhance the appearance of the nose. It can be performed for aesthetic reasons to improve the nose’s shape and symmetry or for functional reasons to address breathing issues.

Please note that the popularity of specific cosmetic procedures can change over time, and new procedures may gain prominence. Additionally, the impact of cultural and societal influences, advancements in medical technology, and individual patient preferences can all influence the demand for various cosmetic procedures. It’s important for plastic surgeons to stay informed about current trends and offer a range of services to meet the diverse needs of their patients.

What is the difference between aesthetic & reconstructive plastic surgery?

Aesthetic (cosmetic) and reconstructive plastic surgery are two distinct branches within the field of plastic surgery, each serving different purposes and addressing different patient needs. Here are the key differences between aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery:

Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery:

Purpose: Aesthetic plastic surgery is performed primarily to enhance or improve a person’s appearance. It focuses on achieving cosmetic goals and is often elective, meaning patients choose to have these procedures to enhance their looks.

Goals: The primary goal of aesthetic surgery is to enhance aesthetics, symmetry, and overall appearance. It can include procedures like breast augmentation, facelifts, rhinoplasty, and liposuction, among others.

Patient Selection: Patients who undergo aesthetic plastic surgery are generally in good health and seek these procedures voluntarily to improve their self-esteem or feel more confident about their appearance.

Insurance: Aesthetic procedures are typically not covered by health insurance because they are considered elective and not medically necessary. Patients usually pay for these procedures out of pocket.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery:

Purpose: Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to restore form and function to areas of the body that have been affected by congenital defects, trauma, disease, or surgery. Its primary goal is to improve or restore the patient’s quality of life and function.

Goals: Reconstructive surgery aims to repair or reconstruct body parts that have been damaged or lost due to accidents, congenital conditions, cancer surgery, or other medical conditions. Examples include breast reconstruction after mastectomy, cleft lip and palate repair, and burn scar revision.

Patient Selection: Patients who undergo reconstructive plastic surgery typically do so because they have a medical need to correct a functional or structural issue. These procedures are often recommended by healthcare professionals as part of a patient’s overall medical care.

Insurance: Reconstructive procedures are often covered by health insurance when they are deemed medically necessary. This coverage helps patients receive the necessary treatment to restore function and improve their quality of life.

In summary, while both aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery involve surgical procedures to modify the appearance of the body, they serve different purposes. Aesthetic surgery is elective and focuses on enhancing aesthetics, while reconstructive surgery is medically necessary and aims to restore form and function to areas affected by various conditions or injuries. Plastic surgeons are trained to perform both types of procedures and may specialize in one or the other or a combination of both, depending on their expertise and patient needs.

What is breast augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery involves using implants, to increase the size of your breasts or restore breast volume that has been lost after weight loss or pregnancy.

Breast augmentation, often referred to as a “boob job,” is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of a person’s breasts. This popular surgery involves the insertion of implants, typically filled with saline or silicone gel, to increase breast volume and achieve the desired contour. Breast augmentation is sought by individuals who wish to improve breast symmetry, restore lost volume due to factors like pregnancy or weight loss, or simply enhance their overall appearance. It is a safe and effective way to achieve fuller, more proportionate breasts under the care of a qualified plastic surgeon.

CLINICALLY REFERRED TO AS AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY, BREAST AUGMENTATION CAN:

  • Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
  • Improve the balance of your figure
  • Enhance your self-image and self-confidence

WHAT BREAST AUGMENTATION SURGERY CAN’T DO

Breast augmentation does not correct severely drooping breasts. If you want your breasts to look fuller and to be lifted due to sagging, you’ll want to consider a breast lift in conjunction with breast augmentation. The breast lift can be done at the same time as augmentation, but in some cases may require a separate operation. Once you’ve completed your plastic surgery consultation, Dr. Garza will be able to offer you the guidance needed for making this decision.

TYPES OF BREAST IMPLANTS

Gummy bear breast implants

Certainly the most sought after these days, form-stable implants are sometimes referred to as gummy bear breast implants for their ability to maintain their shape even when the implant shell is broken. The consistency of the silicone gel inside the implant is thicker than traditional silicone gel implants. Gummy bear breast implants are shaped rather than round. They have more projection at the bottom and are tapered towards the top. If a shaped implant rotates, it may lead to an unusual appearance of the breast. Placement of gummy bear implants requires a longer incision in the skin.

About gummy bear implants >>

Saline breast implants

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel, and are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 18 or older.

Silicone breast implants

Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse. If you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 22 or older.

Smooth breast implants

Smooth breast implants are the softest feeling. These implants can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement. Smooth implants may have some palpable or visible rippling.

BREAST AUGMENTATION RECOVERY

After your procedure, you will be taken into a recovery area to be closely monitored. We call this, breast augmentation recovery.

Your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressings and an elastic bandage or support bra will minimize swelling and support the breasts as they heal.
After a few hours in recovery, you may be permitted to go home.

Prior to leaving, you’ll be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your breasts following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow up with Dr. Garza.

You may be instructed to wear a support bra around the clock for the first week or two. It will be important to cleanse the incision sites and apply ointment as directed. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully.

After a post-surgical breast augmentation recovery period of 24 to 48 hours and an additional reduced-activity period of a few days, you will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of your plastic surgeon.

Questions to ask during your consultation with Dr. Garza

  • Am I a good candidate for breast enhancement or breast enlargement?
  • What will be expected of me to get the best results?
  • Where and how will you perform my breast augmentation surgery?
  • What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site are recommended for me?
  • How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
  • What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
  • How are complications handled?
  • How many additional implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime?
  • How will my ability to breastfeed be affected?
  • How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?
  • What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breasts?
  • How will my breasts look if I choose to have the implants removed in the future without replacement?
  • Do you have breast augmentation before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

TUMMY TUCK

Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating a smoother and firmer abdominal area.

Because not everyone can achieve a flat and well-toned abdomen through diet and exercise, tummy tuck surgery may be a positive solution.

Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. Post-child birth, many women struggle with the appearance of their abdominal region. Even individuals with normal proportion and body weight can experience a loose, sagging or protruding abdominal area. The most common causes of this include:

  • Aging
  • Heredity
  • Pregnancy
  • Prior surgery
  • Significant fluctuations in weight

WHAT A TUMMY TUCK WON’T DO

A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program.

Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies would be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TUMMY TUCK

Here are some of the tasks you can expect as you prepare for your tummy tuck surgery:

  • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
  • Stop smoking
  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

If your tummy tuck is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY

During your tummy tuck recovery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and you may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling and support your abdomen as it heals following surgery. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Dr. Garza will give you specific instructions post-surgery:

  • How to care for the surgical site and drains
  • Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
  • Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
  • When to follow up
  • Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
  • When will the stitches be removed?
  • How will I bathe?
  • How long will I wear the pressure garment?
  • When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
  • When do I return for follow-up care?

TUMMY TUCK TERMS

  • Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.
  • Diastasis: Condition in which abdominal muscles have separated.
  • General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
  • Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
  • Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
  • Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.
  • Local anesthesia: A drug is injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
  • Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
  • Tummy tuck: A surgical procedure to correct the apron of excess skin hanging over your abdomen.

NOSE SURGERY (RHINOPLASTY)

Rhinoplasty enhances facial harmony and the proportions of your nose. It can also correct impaired breathing caused by structural defects in the nose.
Rhinoplasty surgery can change:

  • Nose size in relation to facial balance
  • Nose width at the bridge or in the size and position of the nostrils
  • Nose profile with visible humps or depressions on the bridge
  • Nasal tip that is enlarged or bulbous, drooping, upturned or hooked
  • Nostrils that are large, wide, or upturned
  • Nasal asymmetry

During your rhinoplasty recovery, a splint and/or packing will likely be placed inside your nose and a splint or bandages placed on the outside to support and protect the new structures during initial healing. While initial swelling subsides within a few weeks, it may take up to a year for your new nasal contour to fully refine. You may notice gradual changes during this time in the appearance of your nose as it refines to a more permanent outcome. Swelling may come and go and worsen in the morning during the first year following your rhinoplasty surgery.

Dr. Garza will give you specific instructions that may include:

  • How to care for the surgical site
  • Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
  • Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
  • When to follow up.

EYELID SURGERY OR BLEPHAROPLASTY

A surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids can be performed on either the upper and lower lids, or both.

Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery can rejuvenate the area surrounding your eyes.

Specifically, eyelid surgery can treat:

  • Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
  • Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
  • Bags under the eyes
  • Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris
  • Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid

WHAT IS A FACELIFT?

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:

  • Sagging in the middle of your face
  • Deep creases below the lower eyelids
  • Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
  • Fat that has fallen or has disappeared
  • Loss of skin tone in the lower face that creates jowls
  • Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can give even a person of normal weight the appearance of a double chin

As a restorative surgery, a facelift does not change your fundamental appearance and cannot stop the aging process.

A facelift can only be performed surgically; non-surgical rejuvenation treatments cannot achieve the same results but may help delay the time at which a facelift becomes appropriate and complement the results of surgery.