Treating the Inside And the Outside

 

               FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS TAKES AN “OLD-FASHIONED”

          APPROACH TO FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

 

Twenty years ago, Drs. J. Phillip and Roberto Garcia saw a television program which greatly impacted their lives.  On vacation in Sarasota, the teenage brothers watched a documentary on Operation Smile, an international nonprofit that treats children with cleft palates and facial deformities.  “The program was compelling and emotional,” said Dr. Phillip.  “My brother and I thought it would be incredible to do reconstructive surgery one day”.

 

The double board certified facial plastic surgeons, who are fellowship-trained exclusively in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, operate the only Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations certified office-based surgery suite in North Florida.  Specializing in a personalized approach, patients are only seen by physicians on all of their visits and the doctors make house calls.  They also follow patients for at least a year after treatment.  “It’s the right thing to do,” said Dr. Roberto.  “Our patients appreciate this old-fashioned style of interaction with their doctor.”

 

Patient dedication led Drs. Garcia to write a guide to facial plastic surgery called Just Faces.  The book is available to anyone considering a procedure.  The doctors encourage patients to read it before their consultations to address questions and be as well informed as possible.  First published in 2005, Just Faces is currently in its third edition, as plastic surgery is a dynamic field which is constantly changing.

 

“Our patients come to us all the time saying they want to look as good as they feel,” explained Dr. Roberto.  This often means treating the inside as well as the outside.  “What bothers you is subjective, so we spend a lot of time getting in touch with a patient’s inner voice, his psyche, so he can respect what he sees in the mirror,” said Dr. Roberto.  Once the patient addresses these feelings and is informed about the procedures, “the surgery is the easiest part of the process,” said Dr. Roberto.

 

The Garcia Institute also treats the skin from the inside out.  The Reviva anti-aging vitamin line includes four formulas: Multivitamin line, Anti-Oxidant, Healing and Omega-3.  Not only do the vitamins keep the internal processes of the body healthy, they also promote healing after surgery.

 

In addition to reconstructive surgery operating rooms, the Garcia Institute includes a 2,400-square-foot medical spa.  Here, the doctors and their certified aestheticians perform laser services, facials, SkinCeuticals treatments, peels, microdermabrasion and injectables.

 

Many patients are interested in laser hair removal, spider vein removal and brown spot removal.  To address these areas, Drs. Garcia use IPL (Intense Pulsed Light).  This is not a laser, so recovery time is very short.  It works by using intense light of a specific wavelength to heat and remove parts of the superficial skin.  It is not painful and anesthesia is not necessary.  “Patients love it because of the maximum effects and minimal downtime,” said Dr. Philip.  “You can come in during your lunch break and after five minutes of treatment, be back to work within the hour.”

 

To further educate patients, Drs. Garcia host seminars after hours on the first Thursday of every month.  Dubbed “Botox Thursdays,” the evening includes a lecture, Q&A, mini one-on-one consultations and injectable filler procedures.

 

For more information, call 904.247.8522 or visit www.garciainstitute.com.