Training and board certification
Source for all rows: source
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| College | College of William and Mary, Chemistry major with Honors, minor in Mathematics and Art History |
| Medical school | University of Virginia; 98% on the USMLE; published four research papers as a student |
| Residency | 6-year combined Plastic Surgery program, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond: 3 years General Surgery (90th percentile, ABSITE) and 3 years Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
- Chief Resident of Plastic Surgery; 92nd percentile on the Plastic Surgery In-Service Exam; received the S. Dawson Theogaraj Scholarship Award.
- Joined the academic faculty at VCU Medical Center, teaching residents and conducting research.
- Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2006.
- Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; member, Medical Society of Virginia.
- Entered private practice in Miami Beach, FL in 2004; returned to Virginia after 3 years and founded Richmond Aesthetic Surgery. Performs surgery in his office suite, St. Francis Hospital (Midlothian) and St. Mary's Hospital (Richmond's West End).
Eyelid surgery work
- Blepharoplasty (upper and lower). "Dr. Zemmel makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids," sometimes extending into the crow's feet; excess fat, skin and muscle are removed and incisions closed with fine sutures (blepharoplasty).
- Transconjunctival blepharoplasty. For a fat pocket beneath the lower eyelid without skin removal, "the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar," usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin (same page).
- Combined with midface lift. "Dr. Zemmel sometimes combines lower blepharoplasty with a midface lift. This combination can restore the lower lid and cheek together" (same page).
- Brow lift. Listed as a facial procedure that may be combined with blepharoplasty for an overall balanced rejuvenation (source).
- No ptosis repair, double eyelid or canthoplasty pages found.
Other procedures
Facelift, breast augmentation/lift/reduction/reconstruction, abdominoplasty (including fleur-de-lis), liposuction, mommy makeover, body contouring after major weight loss, weight loss injections (Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic), BOTOX Cosmetic, injectable fillers, laser hair removal, Aveli cellulite treatment, CoolSculpting (source).
Insurance and cost
"Many cosmetic procedures are considered elective and not covered by insurance, [but] some treatments may qualify for partial or full coverage depending on your plan and the medical necessity of the procedure" (source). The practice accepts Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, is in-network with Aetna, and accepts Cigna and United Healthcare plans (same page). Financing offered through Cherry and CareCredit. No numeric blepharoplasty price is published.
Recovery
- Bruising. Peaks during the first week and generally lasts 2 weeks.
- Sutures out. Stitches removed 5 days after surgery.
- Back to work. Normal daily activities resume in 2-3 days; may not be socially presentable for 7-10 days.
- Exercise. Activities kept to a minimum for 3-5 days; avoid strenuous activity for about 3 weeks.
- Final result. No contact lenses for about 2 weeks; sun/wind sensitivity may persist for several weeks.
Source for all: blepharoplasty.