Dr. Chad Deal is the owner and one of the master surgeons at Southern Surgical Arts in Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Deal is a leader in cosmetic surgery, particularly body surgery cases. He is known for his HIDEF Mommy Makeovers and HIDEF Abdominal Etching, but has patients flying from all over the world for breast augmentations, BBL, Tummy Tuck, and many more. Dr. Deal is proud of the practice he has built, with three state-of-the-art operating rooms and 7 medspa locations. Dr. Deal and Southern Surgical Arts were the First Plastic Surgery Center recognized by the SRC as a Center of Excellence in Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery.
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Dr. Deal recently revised an old breast aug + lift that was pretty messed up from my previous provider. I was highly impressed with the lengths he went to in order to guarantee proper positioning, perfect scarring, and the specific type of look I was personally seeking. I certainly wish I would’ve gone to him for the original surgery back in 2018 rather than putting myself thru 3 operations but I know without a doubt that it has finally been fixed once and for all! I would also like to give a shoutout to LPN Erica Rankin who was my caregiver and bestie for the first 24 hrs of my recovery. His partner, Dr. Gardener did a phenomenal job on my chin & face as well. I should also mention that Kelly was a very skilled surgical coordinator as she was able to talk me off the ledge several times when I had so many pre-operation jitters! SSA is elite and I will definitely return for as long as they’ll have me.
Breast Augmentation, 275cc, Natrelle SSM, Moderate Profile, White Caucasian, Female, 5'7", 120lbs Small implants with perfect proportional results that fit my body and chest. Cording to the Natrelle sizing chart, my width (11.5cm) across my chest matched with the 275cc implant suggested. Day 1: Feeling sore but not too bad. My surgeon gave me the numbing cream that goes inside of your breast pocket to help the initial soreness for the first 2 days. I've been alternating Valium to relax the muscles and Oxycodone for the pain. Feeling: super excited and pleased. I thought they would be bigger, so like all the other women have said, I could've been just as happy at 300cc or 310cc. Than being said, I'm obsessed it's my new titties! Updated on 16 Jul 2024: Day 1 - Surgery * Was a bit nervous and kind of grumpy because my surgery didn’t start until 3. I couldn’t eat or drink all day. I went through 3 bags of saline in my IV - very dehydrated. Made me super puffy and bloated post surgery. * I started to get a little nervous when I walked into the operating room but the anesthesiologist gave me the drugs almost immediately and I was out. * I woke up in post op very groggy but kind of energetic. * I dozed off and on for the next few hours and ate some soup, crackers and a popsicle in between. I ate ramen and ate that around 8:30/9. I was definitely hungry after not eating all day. We went on a walk - just a block and then walked back. * Felt sore and was a little surprised my boobs looked smaller than I thought. I’m hoping they settle and drop into a bigger shape and size. Otherwise, I may get bigger ones in the future. * We went to bed and woke up 2 times for medicine and to move around. I ended up waking myself up to move around and meds around 4 am. * Valium feels really nice and helps to relax my muscles. Oxycodone gives me some relief from the pain and soreness. * Pain is maybe a 3 to 4 with a lot of soreness. Took Milk of Magnesia before going to bed. No BM Updated on 17 Jul 2024: * Woke up around 5a and took some Oxy meds at 5:30a. So far I’m feeling very sore. There was a tiny bit of sharpness of pain in my back left around the outer boob but went away. * Wedge pillow is key! * It definitely hurts to open my arms up to the sides. * I had lots of energy day 2. * At my follow up appt today, Dr. Z, one of Dr. Deal’s fellows, did my follow up and she said that’s typical to have a lot of energy with all the drugs pumping through my body. Plus, since I went smaller, my recovery isn’t going to be as prolonged or painful as someone who went bigger. We shall see. * I saw my boobs for the first time during my appt (had to keep my bra on until then) and loved them! They are sitting very high and look great and round and perfect (see photos) but definitely high upper poles and very firm right now. They need to drop and fluff. They are also a little oddly shaped but that’s to be expected. * They feel super hard and firm. There is no bouncy movement. These girls are strapped in for the next few weeks until they feel ready to settle in to my breast pockets. * I was on a pretty steady dose of Valium and Oxy, maybe a few 4 hour gaps in between during the afternoon and evening. * My mom was in town, and my partner and I went to a friend’s birthday party for an hour and then dinner at Alleia. Leaving dinner, I was feeling really tired and sore. It may have been too much within the first 36 hours, but I was excited to these new fun bags out for a ride. * I took Milk of Magnesia and Ducolax for constipation throughout the day. Had 1 BM and was very bloated but still had a decent appetite. * Very sore from surgery but felt energetic. *Took Valium and Oxycodon for the pain. Updated on 20 Jul 2024: July 13, Day 3: * I felt very energized * Finally had a bowl movement but had to use a suppository. * I’m not driving because I’m on drugs and the motion to turn the wheel is painful. * Friends came over and hung out until from morning until about 2 or 3p. * It was so fun to have a full house and be surrounded by friends while recovering. * Saturday night we chilled and just relaxed. * Boobs feel tight and the numbing gel is wearing off a bit. Still high and misshapen a little bit. July 14, Day 4: * Still feeling energetic and really excited for these new gals to shape up * Having SO MUCH FUN trying on new clothes * We went to Walmart though and (my boyfriend) picked up some plants and then we had friends over to the pool. * I’m not driving yet and am not allowed to get my chest submerged in any kind of “dirty” water. July 15, Day 5: -Drove just down the street to the store and back for the first time today, and I had to do little micro turns with the steering wheel because it hurts to fully turn the wheel, range of motion is limited. -Went for a 3 mi walk with friends. The pace was much slower. I felt chills walking in a very hot day so unsure if my body was fighting a fever or just adjusting to movement. - Was able to cook dinner, chop veggies, hang out with everyone pretty comfortably but feeling very tired toward the end of the day -Felt overall good and able to do most tasks in the house and get back to work (remote desk job) -I’m still wearing my post-op bras that zip up the front and they feel really tight and uncomfortable at night, but I’m supposed to wear bras when I sleep. -Taking less Valium and Oxy through the day. The Oxy makes me very very itchy all over my skin. July 16, Day 6: -What in the world has happened in the land of tiny titties?! ???? -I wish I had a photo from before of all these bras and shirts that collapsed into my boobs/chest! -Note: Take before photos of a few shirts and tops before you get your boobies! -Sternum is very sore and bruised and has been most of the last few days. I noticed bruising between my breasts and below in the middle below my sternum. Scared me a little bit but it’s more yellow bruising which is normal. Updated on 20 Jul 2024: Breast Augmentation, 275 cc, Natrelle SSM, Moderate Profile, Caucasian, 5’7” 120lbs -Before my BA, I was a double A, maybe a small A. -I wanted to fill out shirts and feel more feminine in my body, but I’m very active - workout and lift weights; rock climbing; mountain bike and so I wanted to boobs but not huge boobs - just moderately proportionate to my body yet till nice and full and sexy!
If you are searching for an honest surgeon, amazing environment and natural BEAUTIFUL results - LOOK NO FURTHER! From your complimentary consultation that is so in depth and really sets the bar for your expectations and plan, to stepping into the office for the first time - you’re a star! Dr. Deal is an absolute professional who not only made me feel so comfortable but his entire staff works double time to make sure you know they’ve got your back, you are safe and in the drivers seat of your procedures. They are so attentive and thorough and honestly, very cool to be around. I promise you will feel amongst friends every time you step in the door. My procedure was smooth and quick and recovery was so much easier than I’d ever expected, all of the follow ups have been quick and concise and I have had every opportunity to ask questions, express any concerns, etc. The facility is truly ideal! My results are natural looking and I feel so secure and sexy. I’m 100% grateful for this office, the experience and my results! ????
Hands down the best plastic surgeons and surgical office you can find. From the moment you have your consultation with Dr. Deal to making your appointment with Erica, and Maggie making sure you have everything you need before your surgery, you are taken care of. The day of surgery they do their very best to be sure you are relaxed and prepared. Everyone has the absolute best bed side manner. And let me tell you your results are going to be better than you expected! As a nurse myself, I have very high standards to my healthcare needs and SSA surpasses all of them! 10/10 recommend!!
Dr. “Hi-Def” Deal and his staff at Southern Surgical Arts are awesome! His talent goes well beyond medical - he is a sculptor of the flesh! My results speak for me! Thank you Dr. Deal for everything! I received a male abdominal plasty and male chest reduction after losing 40+ pounds in a little over a month and a half prior to surgery. My results are astounding!
Excellent, Dr. Deal is a true artist. He was able to give me 10 years back to my life. After 3 children I had so much skin and no amount of exercise was going to bring back my body. I am so grateful for him and his team and I look forward to returning. I found him through Instagram and as crazy as that sounds I’m so glad I did, no doctors in my area were open to sharing photos and prices as Dr. Deal was clear and forward. His before and after photos sold me that he was my doctor. I love that his surgery was an all in one place, the advanced techniques and technology is why I also chose this establishment. They had everything from Jplasma to renuvion and newly added Morpheus 8.
The staff at Southern Surgical Arts in Chattanooga are the best. And Dr. HiDef (Deal) is one of the most talented PS out there. I have had both a breast augmentation and most recently a tummy tuck and 360 lipo done by him. He makes sure to take his time to explain and answer any and all questions you may have. And if your ever in need of help it's easy to call and get answers to your questions fast. Age 29 mom of 3 I visited Dr. Hidef recently for a tummy tuck and 360 lipo, the procedure itself went great. Stayed nearby at a great hotel the night before and checked in at SSA the next morning and was out and back relaxing (sleeping) in my hotel that afternoon. The following morning I went back to the office for my follow up before heading home. Evening of Day 2- and Day 3 were probably the most uncomfortable due to the tightness from having my muscles sewed back together from where they had separated from pregnancy. And some swelling. Sleeping was also a tad uncomfortable just because I was not able to lay in my normal position (but definitely managed) by day 3 I was done with the heavy pain medication and decided to just stick with a tylenol here and there. Walking wasn't bad just irritating since I could not stand upright (to be expected) I went back for for my 2 week follow up and everything is healing perfectly. Currently I am 4 weeks post OP and will be going back in a few weeks for my 6-8 week follow up. At 4 weeks out I am now cleared for light exercise and feeling back to normal. Walking like normal, moving around like normal, sleeping better as I now can turn to my side if needed. Still wearing my compression garment 22-23 hours out of the day. Slightly swollen in the evenings but nothing major to be concerned or worried about. Scar looks amazing and I have no doubt that in 6 months to a year that my finale results will be nothing less than amazing. I would 1000% recommend anyone make the trip to southern surgical arts in Chattanooga,Tn for all of your cosmetic needs. You will not find better doctors or staff!
Absolutely amazing!! I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Deal and his team. He has fantastic bedside manner. He answered all my questions and was veryyyyyy honest and did not try to “sell” me on a surgery. He explains everything down to tiny details which I love because I’m the type who needs to know it all!! He genuinely cares about his patients and his work. He even was great reassuring my husband which made him super calm and on board with the surgery and that’s not an easy task! Not to forget his team- the doctors who work with him are wonderful!! They even called after my surgery that evening to check on me and extremely friendly. I truly appreciate his nurses as well! They are awesome- no matter how many times I’d call with silly concerns or questions they were so reassuring and helpful. They also called me back very quickly if they were with a patient. Plus, the front desk staff and surgical coordinator are absolutely amazing! They make you feel like family and I cannot say enough great things! Dr. Deal is such an artist and because of his work I have so much more confidence!!
Deal was not my surgeon, but his practice's other doctor named Justin Gusching was. Southern Surgical has been amazing to work with in general. There's never been any moment where I needed/wanted something that I couldn't reach a staff member and get it immediately taken care of. The nurses immediately informed each other of my "issues" with needles so they could take all possible measures to reduce my mental suffering. The on-call Fellows have answered my texts/calls instantly and called in medicine as needed. The scrub tech removed a painful spitting stitch for me like a total pro. And the office staff knew me by name since my 1st visit. I had a breast lift w/ implants and Dr. Gusching went to INCREDIBLE lengths to give me the high, tight "I was flat chested before these implants" look that I said I wanted. It required a reduction, and he never complained. Performing a reduction, lift, and augmentation together is the most challenging procedure any cosmetic surgeon can take on. And 80% of women don't get so lucky with their results, even using board certified surgeons. I'm beyond thankful that I chose the right doctor...and I'm betting Dr. Deal has a hand in training Dr. Gusching to be what he is today.
I was really nervous going in but all the staff went above and beyond to ensure I am as as uncinfirtabel as possible. Day and 2 were very rough, currently on Day 3 and hoping the pain started to let up. 350cc silicone each side.
Unfortunately, contour irregularities are the number one complication of body sculpting. While the Vaser device is extremely helpful for many different cosmetic procedures it is also as a high-level tool. When you liposuction the superficial fat, you have to be extremely careful and smooth and it takes quite a bit of experience to do this. The bumps under your skin are either result of uneven Lipo or possibly too much heat from the Vaser device leading to scar tissue nodules. Overtime this will soften as the scar tissue softens and massages will help. In some cases, improvement can be made by going back to the operating room and performing “liposhifting” where no suction is done, but rather just breaking up all of the surrounding remaining fat and then wearing compression to smooth everything out. I don’t recommend that this is done until someone is at least a year or two out from their original procedure. Individual very firm nodules can be injected with steroids or 5-FU to soften them as well.
In my 14 years of experience with liposuction and skin tightening devices I’ve only ever found the bodytite by Inmode and the Renuvion by Apyx medical to be the most effective devices. I never really found lasers to tighten the skin that much. In addition to the deep treatments, also adding micro needling radio for frequency treatments on top can help sandwhich the heat safely and contract the skin the best.
A fluid pocket or seroma can absolutely build up and be delayed many months or even years from the original surgery. If they don’t resolve on their own or if you’re having any other abnormal symptoms it would be best to have an exploration of the breast pocket. There’s many directions that I can go from there depending on whether or not it’s a benign process or something else. Treatment good range from removing the capsules and replacing the implants all the way to having to leave the implants out to let it heal and re-implant months later. It would depend on the findings in surgery.
You likely developed a chronic seroma or maybe even a small hematoma, that if not drained quick enough, and often until resolution, can result in a pseudobursa. This is essentially a tough capsule of scar tissue. You can try injecting these multiple times with steroids and 5-FU but in my experience, it’s better to just go back and remove the entire capsule and use good compression to prevent it from coming back. Hopefully, this can be done through just an umbilical incision to prevent a larger scar.
Itching, more redness than normal and thick and scars are all signs of a keloid scar. However, keloids tend to grow beyond the actual scar which the picture does not indicate. This may be a hypertrophic scar that’s overreacting. This can be due to genetics, too much irritation of the wound during surgery, or a reaction to the suture material. In any case it usually resolves on its own, unless it’s a true keloid or unless permanent suture was used. I would give this more time or consider mild steroid injections to the wound. Ultimately if it doesn’t improve, you can just have the scar and use a different choice of sutures that are quicker absorbing.
