How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon in Nashville

Choosing a plastic surgeon in Nashville is a very personal decision — one that touches not just your appearance, but your confidence, your health, and your sense of self. In a city as vibrant and competitive as Nashville, the options can feel overwhelming — from large multi-surgeon practices and hospital-affiliated programs to boutique concierge practices. But not all plastic surgeons are the same, and not all practices are designed with you in mind.

Whether you are considering a facelift, body contouring, breast surgery, or a non-surgical treatment through a medical spa, knowing what to look for — and what questions to ask — can protect your health, your results, and your investment.

This guide will walk you through the essential criteria for selecting the right plastic surgeon in Nashville so you can move forward with confidence.

Start With Board Certification — and Know What It Means for Nashville Plastic Surgeons

The single most important credential to look for is board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for the full scope of plastic and reconstructive surgery — both face and body.

Be careful: there are other boards with similar-sounding names — like the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery — that do not require the same level of surgical training. ABPS-certified surgeons must complete a general surgery residency followed by a dedicated plastic surgery residency, pass comprehensive written and oral examinations, and maintain ongoing education throughout their careers.

What to look for:

• Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
• Fellowship in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) — members are held to strict ethical and safety standards
• Verification at certificationmatters.org

Dr. Don Griffin of Nashville Cosmetic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures in Nashville. His credentials, training, and sustained excellence represent exactly what patients should expect from a qualified provider.

Evaluate Experience — Especially With Your Specific Procedure

Broad surgical training matters, but specific, high-volume experience with the procedure you are considering matters even more. Plastic surgery encompasses hundreds of distinct procedures, and the best outcomes come from surgeons who have performed your particular operation many times.

During your consultation, ask directly: “How many of these procedures do you perform per year?” A surgeon who does 10 facelifts a year is very different from one who performs 100. Volume builds precision, and precision builds results.

Questions to ask your surgeon:

• How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
• Can I see a portfolio of before-and-after photos from actual patients?
• What is your revision or complication rate for this procedure?

Prioritize Safety: Accredited Surgical Facilities Only

Where your surgery is performed is just as important as who performs it. Accredited surgical facilities are held to rigorous standards for safety, staffing, sterilization, and emergency preparedness — standards that are not required of non-accredited procedure rooms.

Look for accreditation from one of the three leading organizations: the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or The Joint Commission. These designations tell you the facility has been independently inspected and meets hospital-level safety standards.

Nashville Cosmetic Surgery operates from a fully accredited, private surgical facility on-site — providing our patients with the comfort and privacy of a boutique experience without compromising on safety standards. When you walk into our operating suite, you can be confident that the environment, equipment, and team surrounding you have been rigorously vetted.

Review Before-and-After Photos Critically

A surgeon’s portfolio of before-and-after photographs is one of the most valuable tools you have as a patient. When reviewing a surgeon’s gallery, look beyond whether results look impressive in general — look for consistency, naturalness, and results on patients who look like you.

What to look for in a photo gallery:

• Consistent lighting and photography standards (a sign of professionalism)
• Natural-looking results, not over-corrected or distorted
• A wide range of patient ages, skin types, and starting points
• Long-term results, not just immediate post-operative photos

Be cautious of practices that display only a handful of idealized results, rely heavily on stock photography, or cannot show photos of the specific procedure you are inquiring about.

The Consultation: What to Look For Beyond the Credentials

Your consultation visit reveals as much about a practice as any credential. You are not just evaluating a surgeon’s qualifications — you are evaluating whether this person and this team are the right fit for your care.

Green flags during a consultation:

• The surgeon spends significant time with you — not just a few minutes
• You are encouraged to ask questions, and answers are thorough and honest
• The surgeon discusses realistic expectations and potential limitations — not just possibilities
• You feel comfortable, respected, and unhurried
• The facility feels professional, clean, and reflects the standard of care you expect

Red flags to watch for:

• High-pressure sales tactics or time-limited pricing offers
• Inability to clearly explain the risks of your procedure
• Promises of perfection or guaranteed results
• The surgeon is difficult to reach, or follow-up care is vague

Understand the Full Continuum of Care — Not Just the Procedure

The best plastic surgery practices in Nashville don’t just perform surgeries — they are invested in your long-term outcomes. This means comprehensive pre-operative preparation, attentive post-operative care, and an ongoing relationship that supports your aesthetic health over time.

An integrated practice that combines surgical expertise with a medical spa — staffed by skilled aestheticians and injectors working directly under the supervision of a plastic surgeon — offers a distinct advantage. Non-surgical treatments like injectables, laser resurfacing, and medical-grade skincare are not just add-ons; they are tools for maintaining and extending your surgical results.

At Nashville Cosmetic Surgery & The Skin Lounge, our surgical and non-surgical services are fully integrated under Dr. Griffin’s oversight. From your first consultation through your long-term maintenance, you benefit from a coordinated team that understands your full aesthetic picture — not just the procedure in isolation.

Research Reviews — But Read Them Intelligently

Online reviews on Google, RealSelf, and Healthgrades can provide useful insight, but they require a discerning eye. Look for patterns rather than individual outliers. A single negative review in a sea of glowing, detailed, long-term testimonials tells a very different story than a practice with consistently mixed feedback.

What to focus on:

• Reviews that describe the full patient journey — not just the result
• How the practice responds to negative feedback (professional and empathetic responses are a strong signal)
• Long-term satisfaction, especially from patients who are 6–12 months post-procedure

Beware of Pricing That Seems Too Good to Be True

Plastic surgery pricing in Nashville varies considerably, and it is natural to compare costs. However, the cheapest option is rarely the wisest investment when it comes to a surgical procedure performed on your face or body.

Unusually low pricing often reflects compromises in surgeon experience, facility quality, anesthesia qualifications, or implant and product grade. Revision surgery — correcting unsatisfactory results from a prior procedure — is far more expensive, complex, and emotionally taxing than getting it right the first time.

The right question is not “who is the cheapest?” but rather “who offers the best value — the highest quality of skill, safety, and personalized care — for my investment?”

Nashville-Specific Considerations

Nashville has grown into a nationally recognized destination for aesthetic medicine. With that growth has come an influx of practices — some excellent, some less so. Here is what savvy Nashville patients should keep in mind:

• Longevity matters. Practices that have served Nashville patients for decades have a track record that newer entrants simply cannot match. Dr. Griffin has been a trusted name in Nashville plastic surgery for over 30 years.
• Celebrity culture and social media are not credentials. Nashville’s entertainment industry means you will encounter practices that market aggressively on social media. A large Instagram following is not a substitute for board certification, surgical volume, or a history of excellent patient outcomes.
• Continuity of care matters in a city this size. In a boutique practice, you can expect to interact with your surgeon directly — not hand off to a physician assistant or nurse practitioner at every follow-up. Personal, consistent care from the surgeon who operated on you is the standard you should expect.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Nashville

How do I verify that a plastic surgeon in Nashville is board certified?

You can verify a surgeon's board certification through certificationmatters.org, the official verification tool of the American Board of Medical Specialties. You can also search the American Society of Plastic Surgeons member directory to confirm membership. Dr. Don Griffin is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of both ASPS and ASAPS.

What questions should I ask during my plastic surgery consultation in Nashville?

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
• What is your complication rate, and how do you handle complications?
• Can I see before-and-after photos of your previous patients?
• What type of anesthesia will be used, and who will administer it?
• What does the recovery process look like, and when can I return to normal activities?

Asking these questions will help you evaluate a surgeon's experience, transparency, and commitment to patient care.

How much does plastic surgery cost in Nashville?

Costs vary widely depending on the procedure, surgeon experience, facility fees, and anesthesia. For example, a facelift in Nashville may range from $12,000 to $25,000 or more. During your consultation, you will receive a personalized quote that includes all associated fees. Many practices, including Nashville Cosmetic Surgery, offer financing options to make procedures more accessible.

What is the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon in Nashville?

A board-certified plastic surgeon has completed an accredited residency in general surgery followed by an additional fellowship in plastic surgery, totaling at least six years of surgical training after medical school. They must also pass rigorous examinations administered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The term "cosmetic surgeon" is not a recognized medical specialty and does not require the same level of training or board certification.

Does Dr. Don Griffin in Nashville offer consultations for new patients?

Yes. Dr. Don Griffin welcomes new patients and offers personalized consultations at Nashville Cosmetic Surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Griffin will discuss your goals, evaluate your candidacy for your desired procedure, and create a customized treatment plan. Schedule your consultation today or call (615) 321-1003.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Choosing the right plastic surgeon in Nashville is a deeply personal decision. The criteria above are not meant to overwhelm you — they are meant to empower you to ask the right questions and recognize the right answers when you hear them.

At Nashville Cosmetic Surgery & The Skin Lounge, Dr. Don Griffin and our entire team have built a practice grounded in the belief that exceptional results and exceptional care are inseparable.

Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward your goals with a team you can trust.