J. Craig Merrell Plastic Surgeon MD, FACS

My husband and I consulted with Dr. Merrel today after my friend Heather spoke very highly of him. I am looking at a tummy tuck, arms and breast reduction. I am not at goal but am losing my health insurance soon so now is the time. Dr. Merrel is very intelligent and is a good hearted person. I was impressed with his work with Operation Smile, a volunteer program where he has done free surgery for economically disadvantaged children. Be sure to check out the book in his waiting room. Its amazing. His staff speak very highly of Dr. Merrel. One of his staff is having surgery herself with this doctor. She reported he is a very religious man. He also has eight children. I have much respect for him. The hardest part of the process was the photos. Anyone consulting with a plastic surgeon... there will be photos taken. Just be prepared. His nurse helped me out psychologically. She made reassuring comments and it seemed more comfortable. Still, standing in a thong is not an activity I care to repeat. :) There is a book of post gastric bypass photos in his office you can review as well. Most photos on the net are people size 6 getting tummy tucks. It was nice to see photos of someone who looks like me in pre/post op pix. The office runs smoothly. *ALL* of the staff were professional and caring. I will post more as we go for insurance approval and the actual surgery. After the consult, I agree with Heather... couldnt ask for better.

Dr. Merrell was excellent from start till finish. The end result which is only 3 months out was more than I ever could have dreamed about. He has a way of making you feel comfortable from the start when the preop pictures are taken and even when the stiches are being removed its almost as if he were a good friend that you have know for a long time. His office staff is helpful and friendly. I would recommend him to all of my friends and family with no reservations. There are very few doctors I look forward to seeing but he is one of them, you can not go wrong with Dr. Merrell.

After emailing Dr. Merrell's office for information on his practice and the proceedures that I needed, I recieved a personal call from him the very next day- to my suprise.
He spoke to me for over 40 minutes and I decided to meet with him.
His warmth and caring really shines through. He is a very kind and caring man. I never felt like just one of the faceless numbers in his care.
I have now had a tummy tuck, breast reduction and arm lift with him and I am scheduled Jan 2004 to have a thigh lift and later on a back lift.
I had gastric bypass surgery- Aug. 21,2002- weighed 428 pounds. Have lost over 220 pounds and I had massive amounts of flesh to be removed.
Dr. Merrell has always treated me with respect and kindness. He has taken the time to know me. He emails me often to let me know he is thinking about me and that he cares.
After being so over weight and INVISABLE to people- including other doctors- because they do not want to deal with heavy people- Dr. Merrell's kindness has given me a new outlook. He has never judged me. He has always helped me.
His before, during and after care is second to none. His entire staff is just as wonderful. I have always felt comfortable in their care.
The hospital in which he did my surgery is also second to none- OBICI Hospital in Suffolk. Their care was just as amazing.
Dr. Merrell has the entire care package for his patients. BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER!

I am thankful everyday that I ran across Dr. Merrell and Plastic Surgery Associates of Tidewater in Suffolk, VA.
If you need body contouring done- check into Dr. Merrell. He was WONDERFUL!
Dr. Merrell did a beautiful job on my body. I couldn't be happier. I love the new me and so does everyone else.

Thank you Dr. Merrell for helping the beautiful me shine through.