Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery is perfectly positioned to take care of all of your cosmetic surgery and non-surgical needs. The practice is led by Dr. J. Garrett Harper, Dr. Robert Graper, and Dr. Evon Zoog, all board-certified plastic surgeons. Graper Harper has three medical aestheticians/laser technicians and four aesthetic injectors offering a wide array of treatments for skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, hair removal and hair restoration.
Here, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Garrett Harper tells us about some of the latest focuses at the practice and why men have more options today than ever.
What are some of the newest trends at the practice?
I love this question…because I probably have a different opinion than most plastic surgeons that you see answer this. The newest trend is TO STOP FOLLOWING TRENDS. Trends are what got some people into trouble in the first place. Plastic surgery isn’t a handbag or a shoe or a hairstyle. This is major, transformative surgery and that shouldn’t be influenced by a trend. Patients know what they think is beautiful. I want them to choose based on their opinions and not what some Hollywood star or influencer tells them is the new thing. Often, these influencers are paid a lot of money to help set trends with total disregard for possible consequences and without any scientific proof that these procedures even work. The best thing is to stick to what you think is beautiful and ask the experts how best to achieve your goals.
Are there new techniques in 2025 when it comes to the surgery side of the practice?
There are always new techniques and ways of doing things that get presented in the plastic surgery field. A lot of what a surgeon decides is the best surgical plan for a patient is based on their own experiences with different techniques and approaches to surgeries. Often, the best outcomes happen when patients understand that their surgeon knows what he or she is best at and how they get their best results. I constantly tell my patients that besides them and their significant other, I am a not too distant third in wanting them to look their very best and love their results.
Another major focus in the industry right now is on GLP-1s. What are you all seeing in terms of patient needs and care? What has changed with these medications on the scene?
Loose skin and volume loss in their face are the most striking physical results from weight loss with the GLP-1s. I know people talk about muscle loss, but the majority of these patients are also working out more. They lose weight and start to feel better — inside and out. I see a ton of benefits from these medications and think they can help a lot of people get healthier and have less chronic disease hinder their lives. Depending on the degree of skin laxity, we have both non-surgical and surgical options available. When you visit a practice that doesn’t have the ability to offer surgical services, you often get non-surgical procedures suggested that are suboptimal and won’t do the job as well as surgery, which is the gold standard. We have the unique opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of either approach and let you decide what avenue you wish to pursue. From a facial volume loss standpoint, fillers are the way to go. They are safe when done by experts and can restore your face to a more youthful shape and appearance. At Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery, we are blessed to have the absolute best injectors. A lot of the people you may go see for injections were probably taught by our staff — they are that excellent!
What do you think men who are curious about cosmetic procedures should know if they think that cosmetic procedures aren’t “for them”?
I would want men to know that statistics show they are the fastest growing population for cosmetic procedures. I think what used to be “no way” is now “no brainer.” Men age just like women, despite the common statement that men “look more distinguished as they age.” Salt and pepper hair can only do so much! It starts with our skincare which is the foundation that every patient should start with and build from. Neuromodulators like Botox and hyaluronic fillers are the next step, as are skincare procedures to help dial back some of those years. The most common surgical procedures for men are liposuction and eyelid surgery, but it doesn’t stop there. Loose skin like we are seeing more of after weight loss using GLP-1s and traditional diet and exercise sometimes requires surgical excision to keep the physique toned and show off all the hard work that goes into losing weight and sustaining it.
What would you tell someone who has never sought surgical or minimally invasive treatments and wants somewhere “basic” or entry-level to start?
Easy question. The foundation for all things cosmetic is good skincare. Men and women need to take care of their skin and let an expert guide them. The days of thinking you are taking care of your skin’s health by using Dove instead of Irish Spring are over. The skin is our largest organ and along with good nutrition, is the most important thing to take care of. All of our cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, are predicated and depend on the quality of your skin. At Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery, we have the most knowledgeable aestheticians you will ever find. I won’t tell you how many years of experience they have because they’d kill me, but believe me when I tell you they are the best of the best.
Anything else current at Graper Harper that we should know about?
We always have new products and devices that we take our time researching in order to only offer things that actually work to our patients. So many new things come out every year in the cosmetic industry because companies realize it’s a booming field and try to get a piece of the market. Unfortunately, that means a lot of junk comes out as well. That’s why it’s important to do your own research and trust your physician to only offer you things that are tried and true. Patients will do best by communicating clearly what their expectations are and listening to their provider discuss the risks and benefits and likely outcomes of different treatment plans.
