An exciting new medical practice, Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery, is now open in downtown Homewood.
Headed by Dr. Blake Raggio — a highly skilled Facial Plastic Surgeon and Mountain Brook resident — the facility focuses exclusively on providing patients with the latest cosmetic and aesthetic procedures for the eyes, face, nose and neck.
Dr. Raggio has dedicated his entire career to becoming an expert in these procedures. Not only has Dr. Raggio obtained extensive training in both Facial Plastic Surgery and Head & Neck Surgery, but he has continually refined his techniques over the last several years in practice.
“We’re able to provide patients the safest, most up-to-date techniques,” he says.
Procedures are performed in the Raggio MD office which represents a state-of-the-art medical facility with no detail overlooked.
Dr. Raggio says he’s “beyond thrilled” about his practice, which opened in January at 1920 Huntington Road.
“Opening a private practice has always been my ultimate goal, and we couldn’t have found a better location,” he says.
Homewood is centrally located for patients from across Birmingham, including Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.
In addition, downtown Homewood “has an upscale yet inviting atmosphere and is the perfect setting for our boutique practice,” Dr. Raggio says.
Dr. Raggio and his wife, Kristin, who’s a registered nurse, co-own Raggio MD, and Kristin serves as practice manager.
New Orleans natives, Dr. Raggio and Kristin moved to Birmingham in October and live in Mountain Brook.
“From a surgical perspective, we’re excited to share our expertise in cosmetic rhinoplasty and facial rejuvenation procedures, including face, neck, brow and eyelid lifts,” Dr. Raggio says. “In addition, we’ll provide non-surgical options, including Botox, dermal filler and other medical spa treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing and radiofrequency microneedling.”
Raggio MD is the only cosmetic plastic surgery facility in the region offering in-house hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which promotes faster healing and less bruising, minimizes complications and enhances the result.
Dr. Raggio earned his undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University and his medical degree at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans.
He completed an extensive residency in Head & Neck Surgery at the Tulane University Medical Center. Dr. Raggio then finished a highly competitive fellowship program in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto with renowned rhinoplasty and deep-plane facelift surgeon, Jamil Asaria.
He has dual board certification in both Facial Plastic Surgery and Head & Neck Surgery.
One of Dr. Raggio’s most sought after and favorite procedures is the rhinoplasty.
“I have great confidence in performing rhinoplasty for patients of all shapes and sizes, including teenage, male, ethnic, and Asian rhinoplasty concerns.” Beyond the primary rhinoplasty, Dr. Raggio also specializes in performing revision rhinoplasty for patients who may not have had a great first surgical experience. “We’re talking about complex revision rhinoplasties, which require using rib cartilage and other advanced techniques,” he says. “I have a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in the rhinoplasty arena, and I’m excited to offer these modern rhinoplasty techniques to Birmingham and the surrounding region.
Dr. Raggio is also an expert at doing surgical full-facial rejuvenations in which a patient has several procedures performed at once.
“We’re doing more than just the routine eyelid surgery or a facelift, but rather we’re focusing on panfacial rejuvenation by implementing cutting-edge therapies such as full-face fat grafting, surgical lip lifts, and deep-plane facelift and neck lift techniques,” he says.
Both rhinoplasties and full-facial rejuvenations are “extremely rewarding procedures to perform, and the results are often life-changing,” Dr. Raggio says.
His practice also offers the best in non-surgical facial rejuvenation, including “full-face botox treatments and filler treatments that are really safe, modern and effective techniques,” he says.
It’s very gratifying to start a business with his wife, Dr. Raggio says.
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else more to not only run the practice but also interact with patients,” he says. “As the surgeon, the technician, I have a vision, and sometimes it’s hard to articulate that, but Kristin gets it and is able to help bring it to life in every aspect of the practice.”
“I believe Blake and I make an outstanding team because we share the same goals and philosophy regarding patient care,” Kristin says. “Blake and I truly understand each other. We know what works and, more importantly, what doesn't. In addition, we are both perfectionists and never settle for anything less than exceptional.”
The co-owners hope to create a warm, friendly, inviting atmosphere at the practice.
“In New Orleans, Southern hospitality is alive and well, and we want to bring that to what we do here,” Dr. Raggio says. “Patients love our bedside manner and like the warm, friendly interaction.”
The couple have a growing young family, with three children — a 7-year-old girl, 4-year-old girl and 16-month-old boy — and a fourth child on the way.
They’re very happy they moved to Mountain Brook.
“The people are kind, the landscape is beautiful and the city’s infrastructure and amenities are top-notch, including a great public school system,” Dr. Raggio says. “It’s a perfect place to raise a family and start a new business. Mountain Brook may be the South’s best-kept secret.”
Dr. Raggio’s work with patients brings him a lot of satisfaction.
“I’m blessed with the incredible opportunity to positively impact people’s lives,” he says. “My patients entrust me with their care, and this is something I take very seriously and enjoy thoroughly.”
Dr. Raggio listens carefully to each patient’s desires and concerns in order to design a personalized treatment plan. He also makes sure they fully understand what he can offer them and — more importantly — what he can’t offer them.
“Sometimes the hardest thing I have to do is say ‘no’ to a patient, or to steer them away from a certain desired treatment or procedure,” he says.
“We focus a lot of our attention on listening to patients and educating them before we even consider moving forward with a procedure,” Kristin says.
“I have a duty and responsibility to the patient to provide them with a treatment plan that I feel confident will produce a beautiful result that will be safe, natural and conform with the classical standards of beauty – a result that we would both be happy with and proud to share,” Dr. Raggio says.
Dr. Raggio has an artistic eye and a keen appreciation for beauty — essential traits for a plastic surgeon.
“It’s about understanding facial proportions, balance and harmony, as well as identifying how to maximize that certain individual’s traits to their fullest potential,” he says.
These principles allow him to “deliver a subtle, natural result that stands the test of time,” he says.
In addition, Dr. Raggio “tirelessly searches” for ways to refine his skills and “maximize the patient experience,” he says. “The journey never ends.”
“Our passion for excellence will allow us to deliver that outstanding patient experience that we know people will love at Raggio MD,” Kristin says.
