New Tampa Plastic Surgery – Expertise & Artistry To Help You Look Your Best

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Dr. Peter Fakhre & his professional staff invite you to visit New Tampa Plastic Surgery off BBD.

New Tampa Plastic Surgery, a premier cosmetic surgery “boutique,” has been helping New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents look and feel their best since 2011.

 Specializing in the aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breasts and body, Board-certified plastic surgeon Peter Fakhre, M.D., rejuvenates and enhances the natural beauty of his patients with the latest cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Dr. Fakhre also has been named one of the top doctors in the country by Vitals.com (a medical review forum for consumers). According to the website, Dr. Fakhre was named a “Vitals Top 10 Doctor.” Of more than 870,000 doctors nationwide, Dr. Fakhre has been recognized as being in the top one percent, of all physicians, as determined by patient ratings.

Located in the Windfair Professional Park off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC), New Tampa Plastic Surgery sees patients from all across Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Dr. Fakhre and his staff help everyone who walks through their doors feel welcome; their primary goal being to make the patient feel comfortable while exploring his or her best options for plastic or reconstructive surgery (as well as non-surgical alternatives, in some cases) in a highly professional and confidential environment.

You can see the results of Dr. Fakhre’s work when you visit NewTampaPlasticSurgery.com. Although his work definitely speaks for itself, he also is highly recommended by his patients. In a physician review on Vitals.com, Dr. Fakhre’s patient Jane Gibbons said, “Plastic surgery? More accurately — Surgical Artistry! Dr. Fakhre is a master of his craft. He not only is an accomplished surgeon, (he also) is a man of integrity who listens, counsels and guides his patients toward the goals they are seeking. (He) then satisfies those goals with skill and precision!”

She continues, “Dr. Fakhre works with his patients to determine the best surgical and non-surgical options that will achieve the desired outcome. As a bonus, his office staff is compassionate, efficient and shares his philosophy that everyone deserves to look their best. Unquestionably, Dr. Fakhre is the best that Tampa Bay has to offer!”

NTPlasticDr. Fakhre, who is one of the few plastic surgeons in the Tampa Bay area to be double-Board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and by the American Board of Surgery, explains, “There are many things that are important in achieving successful outcomes in plastic surgery: an understanding of the patient’s desires, their physical examination, realistic goals, sound surgical technique, attention to detail and outstanding postoperative care, all of which contribute to success in cosmetic plastic surgery.”

He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, graduating summa cum laude. He then elected to attend the University of Florida College of Medicine. It was while he was at UF that Dr. Fakhre’s surgical talent, aesthetic eye and love for plastic surgery were realized.

Dr. Fakhre then completed a general surgery residency at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, where he scored in the 98th percentile in the American Board of Surgery in Training Exam, the highest among all of the residents in his program. He was involved with numerous publications and research projects, which have been presented at numerous scientific meetings, including the distinguished American Society of Plastic Surgeons. During his surgical training, Dr. Fakhre was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Mayo Clinic Medical School and served as Chief Resident in Surgery in his final year of surgical training.

Dr. Fakhre was then privileged to match at his first choice of Plastic Surgery fellowship programs at the prestigious Methodist Hospital where he again excelled, scoring the highest in-service exam score among all plastic surgery residents in his program and serving as Chief Resident during his final year of plastic surgery training.

“I had the wonderful opportunity to train with members of the original group of plastic surgeons that invented the breast implant, as well as facial and body plastic surgeons whose surgeries have been featured on The Discovery Channel,” Dr. Fakhre says. “Working in such an environment provided great exposure to a large volume of primary as well as revisionary cosmetic surgery cases. This experience was priceless and I’m happy to bring this type of training to the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area.”

This training and his own expertise helped Dr. Fakhre earn the highest score possible, in the 99th percentile among Plastic Surgeons, in plastic surgery of the breast, on the American Board of Plastic Surgery written examination.

In addition to refining his surgical skill and technique during his plastic surgery training, Dr. Fakhre also volunteered his time with Operation San José and traveled to Guatemala on a cleft lip and palate surgical mission. There, he helped deliver surgical care to many cleft lip and palate patients who may have otherwise never received the treatment they needed.

Dr. Fakhre says that he was happy to return to the Tampa Bay area after his training and currently lives in Seven Oaks with his wife of 13 years and two children, who keep them busy and entertained.

So Many Surgical Options

So many of us have things we would like to change about our bodies. Time, age and weight changes all take a toll on the body and these factors can affect your appearance and self-image. Dr. Fakhre says that cosmetic plastic surgery is a way to help you look and feel better. “When we are happy with our appearance, we feel more confident,” he says.

New Tampa Plastic Surgery offers a plethora of cosmetic surgery procedures for women and men, including breast enhancement (augmentations, lifts and reductions), tummy tucks, face and neck lifts, eyelid surgery, liposuction and more. Known for his technical skill, eye for beauty and superior aesthetic practice, Dr. Fakhre will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve your desired outcome and to make the “new you” a reality.

“Cosmetic plastic surgery allows the surgeon to combine artistry with sound surgical techniques to produce superior results,” says Dr. Fakhre.

Breasts, for instance, are often at the core of a woman’s femininity and self-confidence. Dr. Fakhre explains that breast surgery is one of the most personal decisions a woman can make.

“Breast augmentation surgery can increase your self-confidence and satisfaction with your body,” says Dr. Fakhre. “By increasing or restoring breast volume, we can help our patients achieve a better-proportioned body.”

Dr. Fakhre’s breast augmentation patients are first educated about implant size and types so they can make informed decisions about which would best satisfy their personal goals. He says that the two main implant types available are still silicone and saline and that the implant selected depends upon a variety of factors.

Currently, the most common implants that Dr. Fakhre uses are silicone implants, which he says look and feel more natural than their saline counterparts.

Breast lift surgery removes excess tissue and repositions the breast and/or nipple to a more youthful position. This procedure is often chosen by women desiring to restore form to their breasts or reclaim their “before-baby” appearance. And, although breasts are intertwined with the feminine profile, women are not the only ones who have breast surgery. In fact, Dr. Fakhre says that he has helped many men feel better about their appearance with reduction surgery for men with female-looking breasts (also known as Gynecomastia).

Liposuction, ‘Mommy Makeovers’ & More

Another popular cosmetic surgical procedure at New Tampa Plastic Surgery is liposuction, which can improve the body’s contour by removing fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction restores proportionality and minimizes problem areas. Dr. Fakhre says that if you find yourself shopping for clothes to hold your tummy in or help slim your thighs, liposuction may be your answer. He adds that liposuction offers significant results with minimal downtime.

“In fact, many (liposuction) patients recover over a weekend and return to work on Monday,” he says.

A full “Mommy Makeover” also is a popular procedure sought by women who want to get back to the body they had before they had children. Dr. Fakhre says that the most common “Mommy Makeover” combines a breast lift (with or without breast augmentation for reshaping), a tummy tuck to tighten the midsection that was stretched during pregnancy and liposuction to remove unwanted fat deposits.

Dr. Fakhre, who has surgical privileges at Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, says that he performs most of his surgeries at the New Tampa Surgery Center, located nearby (off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel), although he adds that he does perform minor procedures in his office as well. Wherever he performs his artistry, however, his satisfied patients are a testament to his experience and training.

“From the moment I walked through the door in his office I was always greeted by first-name basis, which made me feel like I wasn’t just another patient to get in and out,” Christina Vargas wrote in her patient testimonial about her experience with New Tampa Plastic Surgery. “The whole process — from scheduling my appointments to the day of the procedure, even my recovery — went so smoothly. I highly recommend Dr. Fakhre. I give him 10 stars!”

Non-Surgical Options, Too

But, the office also is a true cosmetic boutique, offering skin and other non-surgical cosmetic procedures, in addition to plastic surgery. Many of these non-surgical procedures — such as Botox and dermal fillers, Latisse eyelash lengthening and thickening, fat injections, chemical peels that rejuvenate and energize the skin to beautify your natural state and more — often provide the results a patient is looking for, and are less “invasive” than surgical options.

Board-certified nurse practitioner Christina Ahrens has nine years of experience in dermatology and plastic surgery and performs all of the non-surgical procedures at New Tampa Plastic Surgery.

“We are fortunate to have Christina as part of our team,” says Dr. Fakhre. “she does an outstanding job in the treatment of our patients.”

For your free cosmetic surgery consultation, call to make an appointment with Dr. Peter Fakhre at New Tampa Plastic Surgery at (813) PLA-STIC (752-7842). The office is located at 2541 Windguard Cir.

For a full menu of services, visit NewTampaPlasticSurgery.com. And, be sure to check out the ad on page 11 of our latest issue and ‘Like’ New Tampa Plastic Surgery’s Facebook.com page so that you can be notified of the office’s monthly promotions on various services.

Need A New Look For The Summer? Try Raquel.Does.Hair!

Raquel Torres of Raquel.Does.Hair has a private room inside the Visionary Hair Company salon in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56
Raquel Torres of Raquel.Does.Hair. has a private room inside the Visionary Hair Company salon in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off S.R. 56

Raquel Torres of Raquel.Does.Hair. is an independent veteran hairstylist who gives her clients an exclusive salon suite experience in her own private room located in the Visionary Hair Company salon in the Cypress Glen Professional Park off of S.R. 56 (just east of I-75).

“You pay for my full attention,” says Raquel. She says she never double-books, so she won’t be attending to someone else’s haircut while you’re sitting under a dryer. “I control my own schedule, which is nice because I can set the appropriate appointment length to give each client the best experience possible.”

Raquel became licensed as a cosmetologist in Florida in 2003. She was dual enrolled in high school, where she thought cosmetology school would help her gain independence and an option for supporting herself while she attended college. Instead, she “fell in love and found I had a knack for hair.”

She did go on to receive her Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Pasco Hernando Community (now State) College in Brooksville in 2005. In addition to her cosmetology schooling and general education, she also recently went to barber school and became licensed as a barber last July.

Raquel says men, women and children come to her for, “everything in the color and cut family.” She says that includes hair cuts, razor cuts (which she says offer more texture versus a blunt cut using scissors), pixie cuts and short hair cuts for women, among other styles. She does color and highlights, and especially loves a technique she uses with many of her clients called “balayage highlighting,” where she hand-paints your highlights instead of using foils.

“It makes it so the outgrowth is more natural with no heavy horizontal lines,” Raquel says, “so people can carry their natural color much longer without needing any kind of touch-ups.”

Especially now that Raquel has her barber’s license, she says she offers men much more of an experience than any of those “quick places” men often go to for their haircuts. Her high-quality cuts include shampoo and a scalp massage, which she says men really enjoy.

“When a man comes to me for the first time, they often tell me no one had ever given them a scalp-massage before,” she says. “Now, they won’t let me skip it. They enjoy the relaxation of the experience.”

Raquel2Raquel worked in salons in Brooksville, Gainesville, and Wesley Chapel for many years before she says she “took a leap of faith” and began working independently in 2012. She found the room for rent at Visionary Hair Company and felt that striking out on her own at that time in that location was meant to be. “My faith played a huge part in this,” Raquel says. “I really wanted this decision to come when I was sure it was what I was supposed to do.”

Raquel says that, to date, her business has grown primarily from word of mouth and referrals. She encourages clients to refer their friends to her when they’re looking for something new.

“Every client you refer to me means $10 off your next service, and your friend gets $10 off, too.” says Raquel.

“I hear from people all the time that it’s harder to find a new hairstylist than to find a new doctor,” she adds, “especially because, when you try someone new, you have to walk around ‘wearing’ that until your next experiment.”

So, Raquel wants to make the experience of giving her a try easy and pressure-free. She says she talks with each client for 5-10 minutes before she ever takes out her cutting tools. Because her room is private, she can close the door, so there’s no one else watching. She says she prides herself on being able to communicate with her clients.

“Anyone can say they are a hair stylist, but I really work to understand how my clients see themselves so that we can agree on a vision for their look,” says Raquel. “I take as much time as needed to be sure we find a style that complements them and their lifestyle.”

She also says the private room allows each client to have the experience that really fits their needs at that time. “A lot of moms come in and just want peace and quiet while they drink their coffee,” she says. Then she laughs, “Others want to talk, and I tell them they can talk as much as they want as long as they hold their head still.”

She says she also has clients who want to come in and have a good time, so she’ll put on some good music and maybe even sing and dance while she works. “If you’re looking for entertainment, I can do that, too,” she laughs.

Client Allen Williams says that Raquel’s warm, bubbly personality, and excellent work has kept him coming back to Raquel since the day he went to a salon and the person he wanted to see wasn’t there, so he ended up with her.

Allen says she cut his hair and his response was, “Wow! I like this.” Allen’s been going to her ever since, following her to her new location.

Allen’s wife Julie started going to Raquel a little over a year ago. “She’s always in a happy mood, and I feel super comfortable with her,” Julie says. “She really seems to know what’s going to look good on me.” Julie adds that she wanted to “go blonde” for the summer, but Raquel talked her out of it.

“She’ll do what you want,” Julie says, “but the times I’ve gone against her advice, I’ve regretted it.” Julie says Raquel suggested she tone the blonde way down so it goes with her complexion, and she loves the end result.

Allen and Julie’s son, who is a high school student, began getting his hair cut by Raquel, too. Raquel describes his style as “hipster chic” and says he’s “very particular” about his hair. His parents say people often ask him who cuts his hair, so they refer them to Raquel.

“I love her,” says Julie, “and everyone I’ve recommended her to loves her, too.” Allen concurs, “I refer everybody to her, because you can pretty much guarantee they’re going to be happy.”

That’s Raquel’s goal. “I don’t care how you looked when you came in,” she says, “I’m responsible for how you look and feel when you leave.”

Raquel.Does.Hair. is located at 2405 Creel Ln., Suite. 101, inside the Visionary Hair Company salon. Raquel is available by appointment Tuesdays-Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m. To make an appointment, call Raquel at (352) 442-1082. You can see before and after photos of her work, check her prices, and read client testimonials at StyleSeat.com/raqueldoeshair.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Picks Up Two Important Designations

The staff of the Baby Place at Florida Hospital is proud to have won a 2016 Women’s Choice Award as one of the top obstetrics hospitals in the U.S.
The staff of FHWC’s Hip & Knee Replacement Center is proud to have been designated as the country’s first Center of Excellence by an international health care accreditation organization.

Living in Wesley Chapel, we can consider ourselves fortunate to have Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) close by for our medical needs.

The 200,000-sq. ft., 83-bed facility, which is currently being expanded, continues to be recognized for being outstanding in various ways.

The hospital recently was named the country’s first Center of Excellence for its Hip & Knee Replacement Center.

This designation was awarded by DNV GL Healthcare USA, an international health care accreditation organization.

“This comprehensive, independent evaluation is recognition of the high-quality orthopaedic care provided by our physicians and staff and dedication to the best outcomes for our patients,” says Dr. Stephen Raterman, orthopaedic surgeon and medical director of FHWC’s Hip & Knee Replacement Center.

In addition, FHWC also has received the 2016 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s best hospitals for obstetrics.

The Women’s Choice Award is an organization that seeks to give women a collective voice to choose brands, products and services with confidence, knowing that other women have tried and would highly recommend them.

The designation is based on a variety of criteria that consider patient satisfaction, patient recommendation rating, and what women say they want from a hospital.

FHWC’s Baby Place opened in 2012 with 11 private rooms for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care.

Each room features overnight space for family, spa-like amenities, such as Jacuzzi tub or walk-in shower, and 42” TV.

Wireless fetal monitoring and a state-of-the-art infant security system are other highlights of The Baby Place.

“Women choosing us as the hospital to welcome their babies into the world is the highest honor we can receive,” says Denyse Bales-Chubb, CEO and president of FHWC. “This award is another reflection of that honor, and we pledge to keep earning it every day.”

For more information about FHWC, visit FHWesleyChapel.org. And, don’t forget, FHWC also is the Studio Sponsor for WCNT-tv.

Your Children Will Love Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center!

PandaHugs9Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center — located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of Tampa Palms — has been family owned and serving the children of New Tampa since 1997, by Sue Anne Allbaugh, who serves as the center’s educational director, and Sue Ann’s daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Tom Driscoll.

Panda Hugs offers full-time childcare for infants (ages six weeks and older) to age five, VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten), plus after-school programs and summer camp for elementary-aged students (registration is now open for camps from June 13-August 9).

At Panda Hugs, the classrooms are large and roomy, and filled with toys for fun and learning. And, there are big windows from the halls looking into the classrooms, so parents can easily watch what’s happening. Panda Hugs has an open-door policy, where parents and caregivers are encouraged to stop in anytime to see what their kids are learning, and the learning center’s owners say they welcome the inevitable comments, questions, and even complaints that arise.

They point to the longevity of many of the school’s teachers as an example of what makes Panda Hugs special. Of the school’s 20 employees, six have worked there for more than 15 years, including the school’s director, Elsa Espinosa.

Before joining Panda Hugs 16 years ago, Elsa was the director of a preschool in Miami that was part of a large corporation — unlike Panda Hugs, which is independent, and not part of a chain.

“Here, it feels more like home,” Elsa says. “There, it was of a lot of paperwork. Here, our focus is more on working with kids, parents and teachers.”

A Unique Learning Environment

At Panda Hugs, kids don’t stay in one classroom all day. In addition to the large, open classrooms, the facility has a “music and movement” room for all kids older than age one. Teachers lead their students through activities such as singing and dancing, walking on the balance beam or playing with hula hoops.

Kids also get to visit “Rainbow World,” a fun, colorful room designed to look like a small town. There are “shops” and a “theatre” where kids play dress up and put on puppet shows. Plus, they can climb up to the “second story” and peek out of windows, then slide down a big slide into a ball pit.

Panda Hugs offers a truly unique learning environment, where the kids love to play. They also spend time each day on the school’s outdoor playground.

“The most important thing we emphasize is that children learn through playing,” says Elsa. “We provide an introduction to language, writing, math, the alphabet, phonics and reading,”

Elsa notes that the young students learn in small groups through centers. “We make it fun,” she says, “because the interaction with what they’re learning is the most important part.”

The school’s curriculum is a “blend” of programs created by Kaplan Early Learning Company and a curriculum created and developed personally by Sue Ann, who oversees how the curriculum is implemented in each classroom.

Sue Anne says that she spent 35 years teaching kindergarten, first and second grade in New Jersey, New York, Texas and Ohio. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY, and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

Panda Hugs also is a provider for Florida’s free voluntary pre-kindergarten program, known as VPK. This year, more than 50 kids are getting ready to celebrate graduating from the school’s VPK and move into kindergarten.

At Panda Hugs, VPK is offered five days a week (9 a.m.–noon), or three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.). There is no cost to parents for the part-time VPK program, and parents have the option to choose extended care so their children can attend Panda Hugs full-time.

Elsa says in VPK, teachers are focused on preparing kids for kindergarten. Plus, Pand Hugs offers some extras parents might not expect.

“We teach sign language and also implement Spanish into the curriculum,” says Elsa. It’s a natural fit, she explains, since each classroom has one teacher who is Latin American. This diversity is reflected in the school’s students, too. “Our kids are very multicultural,” she says. “We are close to USF and have kids who are Asian, Arabic and Latin.”

When Jada McAlpin was looking for a VPK program for her daughter, a trusted friend who is an elementary school teacher recommended Panda Hugs. “I love that it’s a smaller, cozy facility,” Jada says. “From day one, it’s seemed like a family.”

She also appreciates the safety and security measures in place, like the fact that kids can’t open the front door (you have to be a certain height or the door doesn’t open) and she says she’s never seen a child standing alone in the hall.

“My daughter is doing so great, I can’t believe it,” Jada says, explaining that Shannae hasn’t just memorized her numbers and letters, but truly understands what she’s learning.

She also appreciates the teachers’ confidence to handle whatever comes up.

“There were some days where Shannae was crying and didn’t want to go to school, but the teachers just told me to go on and they would handle it,” Jada says. “As moms, we worry so much, but then I pick her up at the end of the day and she says she’s had the best day! I am in love with Panda Hugs!”

After-School Care

Panda Hugs also offers after-school care for elementary school kids, offering transportation from five local elementary schools: Chiles, Clark, Hunter’s Green, Pride and Tampa Palms.

Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are picked up at their respective schools at the end of the day and arrive at Panda Hugs around 3 p.m. Their afternoons include homework, arts & crafts, snack, and time outside on the playground.

Summer Camp

For any parent looking for fun, full-time care for their children over the summer – Panda Hugs offers a unique summer camp program.

Kids who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in fun and engaging programs while on summer break from school. This summer, activities will center around the theme, “ROCK-it!” From learning about rocks to rockets, and even rock music, summer camp will be all about rocks.

The price of summer camp includes all field trips – three or four each week – to favorite places such as MOSI, Gator Fred’s Party Center on Ehrlich Rd, the movies, Hillsborough River State Park, and more. There are also activities that fit the theme offered on the school’s premises, such as a scheduled hip-hop class.

Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center is located at 15051 BBD Blvd. It is open Mon.–Fri., 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. For more information, visit PandaHugs.com or call 977-8195.