Active Member
Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Robert T. Buchanan, MD, is an ASPS Member plastic surgeon who is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® and trained specifically in plastic surgery. ASPS members operate only in accredited medical facilities, adhere to a strict code of ethics and fulfill continuing medical education requirements in plastic surgery, including training in patient safety techniques. As your medical partner, Dr. Buchanan is dedicated to working with you to achieve your goals.
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Meet Dr. Robert Buchanan
We bring an established tradition of quality, excellence and patient satisfaction to the beautiful countryside and serene surroundings of the Highlands-Cashiers, Smokey Mountain area of western North Carolina. We are dedicated to providing total patient care and the highest quality expertise in the field of Plastic Surgery with compassion and understanding. This makes us unique, providing quality Plastic Surgery, aesthetic procedures and skin care in a warm, totally relaxed and rejuvenating environment. We also serve northern Georgia and upstate South Carolina. Whether you live locally, In Clayton, Dillard, Tiger GA, Cashiers, Franklin, Murphy, Cherokee, Sylva, Waynesville, Brevard, Toxaway, NC, Walhalla, Senica, Clemson, Anderson, Greenville SC, or anywhere between or beyond, we are here to help.
Your Consultation
Dr. Buchanan believes in the concept of personalized care. From discussions in the consultation and a thorough examination, a care plan is developed. This plan considers your specific goals, and matches them with what your body type and anatomy will allow and what the latest techniques can accomplish.The first meeting:
Determines what problem(s) need to be addressed.
Includes a complete medical history and examination.
Determines what solutions are available to accomplish your goals.
Choices of solutions are given if they exist.
The expected results as well as the risks and possible complications are outlined thoroughly.
Adequate time is allowed to answer any questions.
Brochures and printed materials are available on a wide range of procedures.
If surgery is the chosen option:
Printed materials are given outlining pre-operative and post-operative instructions and what can be expected from the procedure
A second consultation can be done if further questions arise to assure you feel comfortable with the decision.
If a non-surgical option is chosen:
The expected results as well as the risks and possible complications are outlined thoroughly.
If feasible, the appropriate intervention is started.
Patient Testimonials
See Web Site; www.PlasticSurgeryToday.com
See Web Site; www.PlasticSurgeryToday.com/testimonials/
Procedures Performed
Botulinum Toxin
Brow Lift
Burn Reconstruction
Chemical Peels, IPL, Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments
Chin Augmentation
Chin Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery
Dermal Fillers
Ear Reconstruction Surgery
Ear Surgery
Eyelid Ptosis Repair
Eyelid Surgery
Facial Implants
General Reconstruction
Hand Surgery
Head and Neck Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Injectable Fillers
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Lip Augmentation / Enhancement
Liposuction
Male Breast Reduction
Microdermabrasion
Neck Lift
Nonsurgical Fat Reduction
Retin-A Treatments
Scar Revision
Skin Cancer Removal
Wound Care
Ask a Surgeon
Dr. Robert Buchanan participates in the ASPS Ask A Surgeon service. View responses to public questions below.
after surgery
Body ContouringMember Response:
Unfortunately the only thing that can be done to minimize scars is the closure itself. Since that has already been done, the only thing that remains is to watch the area and see what happens over time with healing. If the scar begins to enlarge and thickened, it can be injected. Other than that, U simply need to wait until the scar is totally mature and then decide if it needs revision. It is mature when the scar no longer has any pinkness. This is usually after about a year, and occasionally significantly longer. The good thing is that during this time the body is remodeling the scar and it occasionally will almost disappear over time. I hope for the best for her. Otherwise, see an experienced plastic surgeon if the scar begins to become thick and red or, once it has totally lost all evidence of red if it is unacceptable at that time.
Dark Undereye Circles
Cosmetic SurgeryMember Response:
What you have is very common. The under eye circles are generally known as "tear troughs." They are easily corrected with a heavy filler like Juvederm Voluma or Radiesse when done by an expert. Do not allow anyone to inject a lighter filler like Restylane , Belatero Balance or Juvederm Ultra as they are quite apt to cause problems. Look for a plastic surgeon who does both injectables and eye surgery and, thus, understands the anatomy of the area very well.
Hand numbness and tingling
Hand SurgeryMember Response:
The only thing that makes seeing your primary physician first necessary is your insurance company's requirements. If they do not require it, see a hand surgeon of your choice.
Mole removal
Cosmetic SurgeryMember Response:
The best way to treat this so it does not recur, because of your history, is by excision by someone familiar with this area using very careful closure to realign the lip border. There are a number of plastic surgeons within 50 miles of you that you can find on this site.
Birth Mark Removal
Cosmetic SurgeryMember Response:
There are several things this could be and the treatment would vary depending on this and the size. When possible, make an appointment with an experienced plastic surgeon and discuss your options.
Broken jaw surgery
General ReconstructionMember Response:
You should be in luck. the University of Central Florida has a good plastic surgery program, including a residency. There should be a way to get your friend treated there, or, at least, learn what his options are.
Surgical tattoo removal
Tattoo RemovalMember Response:
It is difficult to give any specific advice since I cannot distinguish the exact part of the tattoo on your breast that you wish removed. Surgical removal works very well for smaller tattoos. However, if what you want removed is basically the entire tattoo or a significant portion of it, the problem is that surgical removal becomes exceptionally difficult, as closure of the defect would markedly distort the breast. In order to avoid that, you would need a tissue expander and flap or a skin graft, both quite involved procedures. Because of that, laser removal becomes much more reasonable. There should be plenty of good plastic surgeons in the Bay Area that could help you, though treatment may be expensive, depending on exactly what needs to be done.
Do you treat Rhinophyma?
Chemical Peels, IPL, Fractional CO2 Laser TreatmentsMember Response:
Rhinophyma is treated by sculpting the outside covering of the nose usually using an electrocautery. This removes the significant excess skin and glandular tissue leaving a raw area that reepithelializes in about a week like a skinned knee. The cost will vary depending on whether you have it done in the office or an OR and how bad the problem is. See a plastic surgeon who has had significant experience in doing this as it is not a common surgery.
Lipoma
Cosmetic SurgeryMember Response:
Lipomas that have been stable, especially in someone with multiple lipomatosis, do not require pathology as long as you agree. In fact, I frequently try to treat them with liposuction, which is almost always discarded. Make sure you discuss this with your surgeon.
Male nipple problems
Male Breast ReductionMember Response:
Nipple reduction is a simple office procedure done under local anesthesia. If the areolae are too large, they can be reduced also.
Do arnica&bromelain actually help with bruising? If so, what brands?
RhinoplastyMember Response:
I started using them many years ago when I found that they dramatically reduced bruising, especially in facial procedures. I, therefore, started giving it for all my patients pre op.
Earlobe repair
Ear SurgeryMember Response:
Stretched earlobe piercings are easily corrected in the office under local anesthesia. Price varies between localities, whether it is one ear or two and how complex the repair will be (determined by location, tissue thinning, and closeness to the edge).
Eye bags surgery
Eyelid SurgeryMember Response:
Eye bag correction can be done with surgery, injection or both. Only a plastic surgeon who is expert in both can determine what is best. The cost varies with what is done, who does it and where it is done (what part of the country and whether in the office or an OR). Instead of worrying about cost, make sure you see the right surgeon. You are much more likely to be happy with the results.
Lip reduction
Lip Augmentation / EnhancementMember Response:
Lip reduction is a rather simple surgical procedure that can be done in the office. Make sure you see a plastic surgeon with significant experience in lip reconstruction. Your closest is Savannah, Hilton Head, Augusta, or Macon.
Botox and Injectors- Nurse Injectors or MD?
Botulinum ToxinMember Response:
For me, Botox is simply one of the methods we use to improve the skin and face. It must be used considering all the other factors impacting the area. Therefore, I believe it is always best to have the physician who understands all these factors do the injections, or, at least, evaluate you first and carefully direct what is done.
Question for 13 month old large forehead cut and scar-time sensitive
Gender Confirmation SurgeryMember Response:
The only absolute reason to do multiple layers is if multiple layers have been cut. At this point, the only thing you need to worry about is leaving the stitches in too long. They should come out at 4-6 days. The eventual scar will be mainly defined by the method of injury, sharp injuries having better scars than blunt injuries.
Festoons
Eyelid SurgeryMember Response:
One thing I have learned in the last few years is that “festoons” are defned differently by surgeons and everyone else, and that the appropriate treatment is dependent on exactly what you have. Therefore, you need to see a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in both lower blepharoplasty and non-surgical eye rejuvenation. You should be able to find someone near you or this site.
Fix festoons that where made worse by another surgeon
Eyelid SurgeryMember Response:
Without pictures or more information about what was done, it is impossible to give specific advice. Different options are available depending on whether you had a surgical procedure or an injection. The former is much harder. If you had an injection, the worsening may be due to using the wrong filler in the wrong place. This is easily fixed. See a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in both eyelid surgery and non-surgical rejuvenation, who can be found on this site. Don’t ask the previous physician for a referral.
Before and after patient photos from Dr. Robert Buchanan. Use the menu to filter by procedure.


Liposuction


Tummy Tuck


Facelift


Eyelid Surgery


Liposuction


Facelift


Liposuction


Facelift


Liposuction


Liposuction
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Patient Testimonials
See Web Site; www.PlasticSurgeryToday.com
See Web Site; www.PlasticSurgeryToday.com/testimonials/