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Christopher K. Patronella, MD, FACS, FICS homepage

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“One of the Ten Most Dependable Plastic Surgeons of the Western United States”

Goldline Research Studypublished in Forbes Magazine

Dr. Christopher K. Patronella

ASPS, Aesthetics, ABS, ACPS, ABPS, TSPS UTMB Health
Dr. Patronella’s impressive results and premier care have made him the personal plastic surgeon of choice for thousands of physicians, nurses, and others across the globe. Named one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons in a Statista survey published in Newsweek, Dr. Patronella has developed and refined numerous techniques to advance plastic surgery results and safety.

His True Form Aesthetic Surgery® approach is the culmination of his efforts to perfect traditional cosmetic surgery methods while avoiding some of their most commonly encountered pitfalls. With each procedure he performs, Dr. Patronella incorporates a combination of techniques he has refined through more than 20 years of experience, capturing and restoring the subtle features that characterize natural beauty and create authentic-looking results.

Living Magazine Read about Dr. Patronella in Living Magazine’s annual “Top Docs” section!

Exceptional Proficiency

Acclaimed Surgical Expert

Houston-area physicians and residents have repeatedly voted Dr. Patronella one of the top doctors for cosmetic surgery and breast surgery in annual magazine polls. Fellow plastic surgeons elected him to be president of the Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2012-2013. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and founding partner of the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) in Houston, Texas—one of the largest private medical partnerships specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery in Texas—Dr. Patronella has received numerous awards, board appointments, and invitations to speak to surgeons across the globe.

Exceptional Proficiency

Award-Winning Safety Innovator

While surgical precision and artistic expertise are defining hallmarks of his esteem, Dr. Patronella also has made significant contributions to advance the safety of plastic surgery procedures. As a founder of the ACPS SurgiCentre, a private AAAASF-certified operating room licensed by the Texas Department of Health, Dr. Patronella developed and mandated strict safety guidelines for the SurgiCentre. He implemented patient care guidelines that are a reflection of his commitment to providing patients with specialized service and excellence in surgical techniques.

Exceptional Proficiency

Commitment to Comprehensive Care

Dr. Patronella’s commitment to patient safety and satisfaction is reflected in his comprehensive approach to providing patients with attentive care at each step of their experience to ensure that it is positive and rewarding. Patients appreciate not only the attention to detail he devotes to achieving successful aesthetic outcomes, but also the compassionate service he and his staff provide from the initial consultation through postoperative recovery. It is this high level of care and satisfaction that inspires so many of his patients to refer their family and friends to his practice.

Guiding Practice Principles

Dr. P with his dog

Why Choose Dr. Patronella?

A founding partner of The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery in Houston, one of the largest and most respected private plastic surgery practices in Texas, Dr. Patronella is consistently voted in magazine surveys as one of the top cosmetic plastic surgeons to whom local physicians would send their family and friends. Dr. Patronella is internationally acclaimed for the True Form Tummy Tuck® method he developed over 10 years to perfect tummy tuck surgery results and deliver elegant, beautifully sculpted results.

Dr. Patronella and his friendly, highly skilled staff look forward to helping you achieve the new look you desire with tummy tuck, liposuction, body lift, breast augmentation, and breast lift surgery. Dr. Patronella also offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical procedures to restore a more youthful, refreshed facial appearance, including facelift/neck lift, eyelid surgery, cosmetic injectables, and laser skin resurfacing.

Credentials

Board Certification

  • The American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1992 – present
  • American Board of Surgery, 1989 – 1999

Academic Training

Medical Education
  • Board Certification – American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1992
  • Graduate Plastic Surgery Fellowship, St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, Texas, 1990
  • Graduate Surgical Residency, The Ochsner Clinic, 1988
  • Doctor of Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, Galveston, Texas, 1982
Residencies
  • 1988-1990 Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship: St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, TX;
    The Cronin, Brauer, Biggs Clinic
  • 1983-1988 General Surgery Residency: The Ochsner Clinic and Medical Foundation,
    New Orleans, Louisiana
  • 1984-1985 Surgical Research: The Ochsner Medical Foundation
  • 1982-1983 Internship: The Ochsner Clinic and Medical Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana
Specialized Training
  • Microvascular Surgery
  • Endoscopic Facial Surgery
  • Aesthetic Surgery of the Face
  • Aesthetic Body Contouring Surgery
  • Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery
  • Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
  • Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)
  • Ultrapulse CO₂ Laser / Sciton Erbium Laser
  • Fraxel® Laser / Pulsed Dye Vascular Laser
  • Candela® Vascular Laser / YAG Laser

Organizations

  • American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
  • International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS)
  • Fellow, International College of Surgeons (FICS)
  • Harris County Medical Society, Houston
  • Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Texas Medical Association (TMA)
  • American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery

Honors and Achievements

  • Newsweek: America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2023 (in the categories of Facelift Surgery, Breast Augmentation Surgery, Liposuction Surgery, and Rhinoplasty Surgery)
  • Newsweek: America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2022 (in the categories of Facelift Surgery and Breast Augmentation Surgery)
  • Newsweek: America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2021 (in the categories of Facelift Surgery, Liposuction Surgery, and Breast Augmentation Surgery)
  • Makeover of the Year – Face, 2019, My Face My Body Awards
  • Male Plastic Surgeon of the Year, 2018, My Face My Body Awards
  • Named one of the “Ultimate 100 Global Aesthetic Leaders,” 2019, 2020; My Face My Body
  • Texas Super Doctors Hall of Fame, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2018 – present
  • Super Doctors, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2008 – present
  • Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery in Houston award – H Texas Magazine, 2004 – present
  • Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery award, Houstonia Magazine, 2013 – present
  • Dr. Patronella’s tummy tuck method spotlighted as the “Featured Operative Technique article” in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (Patronella, C.K., Redefining Abdominal Anatomy: 10 Key Elements for Restoring Form in Abdominoplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2015;35:972-86.)
  • Best Paper Award (Fox Award) – Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons (TSPS) 2015 Meeting, “Redefining Abdominal Anatomy: A New Application of the Progressive Tension Suture Technique.” Dr. Patronella received this award based on the votes of the plastic surgeon members at the TSPS meeting.
  • Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 2013-present
  • Italian Flame Award, 2014, Honors Italian-American medical professionals for contributions to the medical field
  • President, Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2012-2013
  • Forbes Magazine, Goldline Research Study: Leading Providers – Plastic Surgeons of the United States, 2009
  • Forbes Magazine, Goldline Research Study: “The Ten Most Dependable Plastic Surgeons of the Western United States,” 2008
  • Best Published Aesthetic Surgery Article – Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Official Publication of the The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2008
  • Doctor’s Choice Award, Health, and Fitness Sports Magazine, December 2008-2012
  • Best Plastic Surgeon Reader’s Choice Winner, Living Magazine—Katy, Texas, 2013
  • Shaping Futures – National Body Contouring Board of Advisors (Sponsored by ETHICON), 2006
  • Charter Member: NOVO (National Council of Leaders in Breast Aesthetics), Allergan Medical, Board of Advisors, 2007
  • Best Paper Award – Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2006
  • Ochsner Medical Foundation Chief Resident, Surgery, 1987-1988
  • Trustees Award for Excellence in Medical Writing, Ochsner Medical Foundation, 1985
  • Mu Delta Medical Service Honor Society, 1982
  • Texas A&M University – summa cum laude, B.A. Biology, 1978
  • Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Society – Distinguished Student Award, 1975-1978
  • Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, 1975-1978
  • Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, 1975-1978

Professional Appointments

  • Founder and Director: The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS SurgiCentre), 1997
  • Founder: ACPS – The Added Touch MediSpa, 1999
  • Clinical Professor of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, 2013-present
  • President, Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2012-2013
  • Clinical Professor of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, 2013-present
  • President, Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2012-2013
  • Charter Member: NOVO (National Council of Leaders in Breast Aesthetics), Allergan Medical, Board of Advisors, 2007
  • Shaping Futures – Sponsored by ETHICON – National Body Contouring Board of Advisors, 2006

Presentations

Dr. Patronella in the office

Publications

  • Nneamaka Agochukwu-Nwubah, MD, Christopher Patronella, MD, Expanding the Progressive Tension Suture Concept: A Study of its Utility in Body Contouring Procedures, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2021; sjab120, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab120
  • Patronella, C.K., Restoring Form in Abdominoplasty. ISAPS News. Volume 14, Number 1, January 2020 – March 2020
  • Patronella CK, Nemir S, Deigni OA. Screening and Safety Issues in the Massive Weight Loss Patient. In: Nahai F,  Kenkel J, Stevens G, Nahai F, Hunter J, Adams WP, eds. The Art of Aesthetic Surgery: Principles and Techniques. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Thieme; 2020.
  • Patronella CK, Husmann K, Mentz HA III, Newall G, Johnson DJ, Snyder BJ. Group Practice in Plastic Surgery. In: Korman JM, Furnas HJ, eds. The Business of Plastic Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Thieme; 2020.
  • The ‘True Form Tummy Tuck.’ In: Artsruni N, Conway C,eds. Best-In-Class Surgeons—Procedures and Outcomes in Plastic Surgery. London, UK:B.B. Publications; 2019.
  • Marc Everett, Rolando Morales, Jr, German Newall, Paul F Fortes, Kristi L Hustak, Christopher K Patronella, MD, FACS, FICS Henry A Mentz, III, Safest Practices for Autologous Buttock Augmentation With Fat Grafting Using a Roller Pump Injection Technique.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Volume 38, Issue 7, June 2018.
  • Morales Jr .Rolando,  Ruff Eric , Patronella Christopher,  Mentz III Henry, Newall Germán, Hustak Kristi L., Fortes Paul, Bush Amelia  “Safety and Efficacy of Novel Oral Anticoagulants vs Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboprophylaxis in Large-Volume Liposuction and Body Contouring Procedures.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Volume 36, Number 4, April 2016.
  • Patronella, C.K., Redefining Abdominoplasty Through 10 Key Elements. ISAPS News. Volume 10, Number 3, September – December 2016
  • Patronella, C.K., Redefining Abdominal Anatomy: 10 Key Elements for Restoring Form in Abdominoplasty. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2015;35:972-86.
  • Patronella, Christopher, et al. “Safety and Efficacy of Novel Oral Anticoagulants Versus Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboprophylaxis in Large-Volume Liposuction and Body Contouring Procedures. ” Aesthetic Surgery Journal. April 2016.
  • Patronella, Christopher K.; Mentz, Henry A.; Johnson-Alviza, Jaclyn: The Delay Fill Technique: A Safer Approach to Combination Augmentation Mastopexy. Semin Plastic Surg. 2015; 29(02): 085-093. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1549049
  • Morales, Rolando/ Mentz, Henry/ Newall, German/ Patronella, Christopher, “Use of Abdominal Field Block Injections With Liposomal Bupivicaine to Control Postoperative Pain After Abdominoplasty.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal Volume 33, Number8, November 2013
  • Minkowitz, Harold/Onel, Erol/Patronella, Chris/Smoot, John D.,”A Two-Year, Observational Study Assessing the Safety of DepoFoam Bupivacaine after Augmentation Mammoplasty.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Volume 32, Number 2, February 2012
  • Patronella, C.K./ Ruiz-Razura, A./ Newall, G./ Mentz, H.A./ Arango M.L./ Assavapokee T./ Siarski J., “Thromboembolism in High Risk Aesthetic Surgery: Experience with 17 Patients in a Review of 3,871 Consecutive Cases.: Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Vol 28, Issue 6, November/December 2008.
  • Patronella C.K./ Ruiz- Razura A., Book Chapter: Body Contouring Surgery. In “Be Your Best: A Comprehensive Guide to Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, written by the Experts: by Dr. Peter Bela Fodor, Medical Editor. International Press 2007.
  • Patronella, C.K./ Ruiz-Razura, A./ Mentz, H.A./ Newall, G., “Precautions to ensure safe one stage abdominoplasty in combination with body contouring procedures. Plastic Surgery Products. Ascend Media Pub. April 2006. Mentz, H.A./ Ruiz-Razura, A./ Newall, G./ Patronella, C.K., Pectoral Etching: A Method for Augmentation, Delineation and Contouring the Thoracic Musculature in Men. Ideas & Innovations, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Journal. Vol 120 Num 7, 2122-2123. December 2007
  • Ruiz-Razura, A./ Newall, G./ Patronella, C.K., “Correction of the Bra Strap Shoulder Groove Deformity in Women. View Points. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Journal. Vol 120 Num 7, 2122-2123 December 2007.
  • Ruiz-Razura, A./ Patronella C.K., book chapter: “ The Surgical Facility.” In Be Your Best: A Comprehensive guide to Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, written by the Experts. By Dr. Peter Bela Fordor, Medical Editor. International Press. 2007.
  • Mentz, H.A./ Ruiz-Razura, A./ Newall, G., Patronella, C.K., “For men only: Body contouring for the athlete.: Plastic Surgery Products. Ascend Media Pub. Pp. 26-32, December 2004.
  • Mentz, H.A., Ruiz-Razura, A./ Newall, G./ and Patronella, C.K., “Facelift: Measurements of Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System Advancement with and without Zigomaticus Major Muscle Release.” Aes. Plast. Surg. 29: 353-362, 2005.
  • Mentz, H.A./ Ruiz-Razura, A./ Newall, G./ and Patronella, C.K., “The Use of a Regional Infusion Pump for the Control of Postoperative Pain After an Abdominoplasty.: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 29: 415-421, 2005
  • Newall, G./ Ruiz-Razura, A./ Patronella, C.K./ Mentz, H.A./ Ibarra F.C./ and Zarak A., “A Retrospective Study with the Use of a Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Large Volume Liposuction and Body Contouring Procedures.: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 30: 86-95, 2006.

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