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    • Ethnic Rhinoplasty Still a Growing Trend

    The nose is an incredibly noticeable part of a person’s face. After all, it does draw a lot of attention by sitting right in the center of the face. With that said, it’s not surprising that rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures for the face. Statistics collected by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2016 indicate that over 148,000 rhinoplasty procedures were performed in the US just last year.

    Ethnic Rhinoplasty Still a Growing Trend

    As the years have gone on and surgical techniques have become more precise, we have seen numerous breakthroughs in the ways cosmetic surgeries can be customized to a patient’s specific preferences. Ethnic rhinoplasty is a term used to describe cosmetic nose surgery performed on patients of ethnic groups other than Caucasian. Specialized rhinoplasty techniques have become more in-demand in recent years as cosmetic surgery has become more popular among ethnic minorities.

    In the past, standards for the “perfect” nose were based on the facial characteristics of Caucasian men and women. But societal preferences have changed and the approach to rhinoplasty for many plastic surgeons has too. Today, many patients actually prefer to preserve and enhance their ethnic features. Here at Southern Plastic Surgery, I utilize expert precision to preserve cultural characteristics that each individual possesses during each ethnic rhinoplasty procedure.

    African American

    African American noses tend to be thicker with a wide tip, flat bridge and flared nostrils. To reduce the appearance of a flat nose, I focus on rebuilding the bridge of the nose to create a more defined appearance. It’s common for African American patients to have noses that contain weaker cartilage and shorter nasal bones that must be handled with extra precision. Additionally, African American skin is thicker and darker, meaning it is more susceptible to scarring, so I take special care and utilizes precise techniques to minimize scarring.

    Asian

    Many Asian rhinoplasty patients have smaller or shorter noses that have thicker skin and relatively lower bridges and wide bases. Asian rhinoplasty can also help resolve breathing problems that result from the natural structures of the nose that may obstruct breathing.

    Latino

    Latino rhinoplasty patients have their own unique features that must be considered in order to preserve their appearance. These patients typically have wider nasal bridges and weaker cartilage that creates a slightly wider nose with a low tip. Some Latino facial features can also appear larger than most other patients, so it is important to make sure that the new nose fits proportionately into a more rounded face.

    If you are considering modifying your nasal features, you may be a candidate for rhinoplasty or ethnic rhinoplasty at Southern Plastic Surgery. Before any rhinoplasty, I provide all my patients with a complimentary consultation where we will discuss your concerns and help you determine the correct cosmetic surgery path for you. To schedule your plastic surgery consultation, please contact Dr. David Whiteman at Southern Plastic Surgery today. For more information, special offers, and more you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.

    Back to School Specials & Events this August at Southern Plastic Surgery

    Happy August, everyone! Summer is officially coming to a close. Although back-to-school season may not seem as fun as the summer, this August provides the chance to take advantage of excellent savings and fantastic events at Southern Plastic Surgery (SPS) and our Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. Whether you want to squeeze the last bit of juice out of summer or head back to school in style, the August cosmetic events and specials at SPS and Laser Lights have got you covered.

    You’re Invited: SculpSure® Nonsurgical Fat Reduction Demo Day at Laser Lights

    We are happy to announce that we will be hosting SculpSure® Nonsurgical Fat Reduction Demo Day events this month. The events will be held at 12pm OR 6pm on Thursday, August 24th, 2017 at our Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. Join us for a live demonstration of SculpSure® nonsurgical fat reduction, as well as the chance to learn more about this innovative new technology, enjoy light refreshments, and receive exclusive discounts on SculpSure® treatments. RSVPs are required in advance, so call us at 770-495-9322 to sign up for either the 12pm or 6pm time. Check out the flyer below for details!

    Laser Lights Sculpsure Demo Day

    August Cosmetic Specials

    This month, the cosmetic specials available at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center are centered around a pair of our most popular cosmetic laser treatments: laser hair removal and laser tattoo removal. We also have great discounts on some of our most popular skincare products from top brands like Revision® Skincare and iS Clinical®, as well as new products available from Jan Marini Skin Research®. Check out the flyer for all the details!

    laser lights august 2017 specials

    Keep a look out for info on our other upcoming fall events, including our Botox®, Fillers & Fat Reduction sale at Laser Lights, our Holiday Open House event, and more!

    Remember that Southern Plastic Surgery and Laser Lights offer gift certificates that can be used on all of our available cosmetic procedures and treatments. All of our promotions are good until August 31st, 2017 and may not be combined with other offers. For more information on specials at either Southern Plastic Surgery or Laser Lights, please contact Southern Plastic Surgery or Laser Lights today. You can also call us to schedule a complimentary plastic surgery consultation with Dr. David Whiteman. Have a great August from Dr. Whiteman and all of us at SPS and Laser Lights!

    Southern Plastic Surgery Intern Spotlight: Meet Jim

    Welcome back to another installment of our intern spotlight series. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman prides himself on not just providing the best cosmetic surgery experience to all of his patients, but also in mentoring, teaching and helping prepare the next generation of medical professionals. This month, we’re excited to focus on our latest Southern Plastic Surgery (SPS) guest resident, Jim. Jim has been interning here at SPS while he wraps up his studies at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM). It’s been a pleasure having Jim in our office learning from Dr. Whiteman and the entire SPS team. Between Jim’s hard work, attention to detail, and professionalism, he has made significant contributions during his time interning and we are proud to call him part of our Southern Plastic Surgery team.

    sps intern spotlightTo help everyone get a better idea of who Jim is, we had him answer a few questions about himself and his time interning here at Southern Plastic Surgery.

    What made you choose a career in medicine?

    I was a chiropractor in my previous career. I really loved helping people and making a difference, but I wanted to be able to do more for them. Medicine gives me the tools to really make a huge difference in people’s lives. Especially in surgery! I know that the minute that the procedure is over, that I’ve helped to make a huge difference in that patient’s life. I am very visually orientated so surgery is a perfect fit for me.

    What has been your favorite memory from your internship so far?

    Being in the operating room. It’s the place that I feel most comfortable and where I feel like I can make a difference. Also, the staff in the operating room at Gwinnett Medical Center are all great people and wonderful to work with every day. They made me look forward to going into work every day.

    Describe your internship in ONE word.  

    Incredible!

    What skills have you learned during your internship with Dr. Whiteman that you think will be most valuable in your medical field?  

    Putting the patient first is number one. Listening to the patient to find out what it is that they want, and speaking honestly with them about their expectations. I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard Dr. Whiteman tell a patient that he wouldn’t recommend a procedure because it would be a waste of their money or they wouldn’t be happy with the results. Sometimes he’d suggest a much cheaper treatment or tell them not to do anything at all. He and all of his staff truly care about their patients.

    Another skillset that I’ve learned is believing in myself and my abilities. Dr. Whiteman is a great teacher and pushes his interns to learn more and do more than we have before. I know that when I go on to my audition rotations later this month, that I will have what it takes to succeed no matter what I face.  

    What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned so far during your internship?  

    “The patients come first” and “talk less, listen more”.

    What has been your favorite part of interning with Dr. Whiteman?  

    The encouragement and support from Dr. Whiteman. He truly cares and wants his interns to learn and succeed. He’s been the best preceptor that I’ve had and I can’t thank him enough.

    What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far during your internship?  

    Stepping up to the task of being an intern is a new challenge all in itself. We are given responsibilities that we haven’t been given before and it puts to task all of our medical knowledge. Dr. Whiteman is there to help guide us through it, but he expects us to find the answers on our own. While this is a challenge, it’s one of the reasons that I feel so prepared to face my future rotations.

    Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  

    Just finishing up my surgical residency and either beginning to work at the Veterans Affairs hospital as a surgeon or continuing on to begin a fellowship in a surgical subspecialty.

    What are your personal hobbies?

    I enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, bike riding and scuba diving. I love to be out on the water as much as possible.

    What is your favorite movie:  

    I’m not sure actually. These days I watch more fun comedy movies than action/adventure movies, but I like both. Lately tt seems like I watch more animated family films than anything else.

    Do you have a personal motto?

    Since I’m pursuing a very competitive specialty, i.e. surgery, I stick by these two mottos:

    I will fight for it. I will never give up. I will reach my goal. Absolutely nothing will stop me.

    Keep on working until you can say, “scalpel please”.

    If you weren’t practicing medicine, what would you be doing professionally?

    I don’t know for sure. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. Medicine is such a rewarding profession. I love the beach and the ocean so I’d probably do something that combines the two. Being a scuba instructor, marine biologist or maybe a pilot all sound interesting.  

    What is your favorite weekend activity in Atlanta?  

    Studying, with a nap thrown in as a reward

    Pick one: breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner?  

    Dinner!            

    After working closely together, it’s only natural that our interns begin to feel like part of our Southern Plastic Surgery family over time. And while it may be sad to see Jim leave, we couldn’t be happier about the time we spent with him during his internship. We are extremely excited to see where his career in medicine takes him and have no doubt that Jim will be a terrific doctor and make an excellent addition to wherever he ends up. For more information about Dr. David Whiteman or if you are interested in a plastic surgery consultation, please contact Southern Plastic Surgery today! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery tips and updates.