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Dr. Kara K. Criswell, MD, FACS - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Charlotte, North Carolina

Dr. Kara K. Criswell, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Charlotte, North Carolina
NPI: 1669686572· License: 261168690 (NC) verify
Medical school: New York Medical College · Graduated 1999(~27 yrs since med school)
Industry payments (2025): $73 across 3 payments (what this means)
4.87(85 ratings)

In Dr. Kara K. Criswell's own words

How Dr. Kara K. Criswell describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.

Approach

  • Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell take a personalized approach to tummy tuck surgery, focusing on results that complement the rest of the body rather than looking overdone
  • At Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa, the goal is about more than exceptional results

Specialization

  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell is one of the surgeons and a co-owner of Criswell and Criswell Plastic Surgery.
  • The practice specializes in Cosmetic Surgery.

Technique

  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell's practice performs plastic surgeries, including facial plastic surgery and facelifts, using techniques that hide most scars, with only a small area in front of the ear potentially visible upon close inspection.
  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell's practice prefers liposuction over CoolSculpting.
  • Dr. Kara Criswell and Dr. Bryan Criswell bring surgical precision to every consultation and procedure.

Training & credentials

  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell is Board Certified.

Recovery guidance

  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell recommends a low-salt diet after surgery to help with swelling and emphasizes that hydration is key.
  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell suggests that patients add a multivitamin if they do not eat a balanced diet pre-operatively.

Safety

  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell's practice advises patients to disclose all supplements and energy drinks they consume daily to prevent increased bleeding risk and extended recovery time.

Results

  • Dr. Kara K. Criswell's practice achieves their best facelift results in patients who are in their 40s and 50s.

Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. Kara K. Criswell's own public posts and are their claims, not NavMDs' medical advice. Doctors can correct or remove any item via their claimed profile or support [at] navmds.com.

About

Dr. Kara K. Criswell, MD, FACS, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in Charlotte, North Carolina, at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery & Medspa in Ballantyne. She specializes in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, offering procedures such as breast reconstruction, augmentation, reduction, revision, tummy tucks, lip balancing, and facelifts. Dr. Criswell, alongside Dr. Bryan Criswell, applies advanced training, surgical precision, and artistry to patient care. Their practice aims to create an experience where patients feel heard, supported, and cared for from the initial consultation through recovery, focusing on the overall journey as much as the results. Dr. Criswell emphasizes that recovery begins before surgery, with diet and hydration playing a significant role. She provides guidance on post-operative care, including the use of compression garments to reduce swelling and instructions for self-lymphatic massage. Her approach to procedures like tummy tucks and facelifts prioritizes natural-looking results that complement the body and avoid an overdone appearance, with carefully placed incisions for discreet scars. For lip balancing, she focuses on strategic product placement, proportions, and correcting asymmetries, recognizing the uniqueness of every lip shape.

Connect with Dr. Kara K. Criswell on Social Media

SpecialtiesProceduresAverage CostReviewsIndustry PaymentsInsuranceLocationAffiliationsEducationFAQ

Specialties

  • Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Procedures & Services

Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Kara K. Criswell

Sourced directly from Dr. Kara K. Criswell's social posts and replies.

What should I expect and how can I manage recovery after surgery?
Swelling and bruising are a normal part of recovery. Compression garments can help reduce swelling, improve comfort, and support the treated area as it heals. Lymphatic massage can help manage fluid and support smoother healing, and patients are given instructions on how to perform appropriate self-massage at home.
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What pre-operative information should I share with my surgical team?
Patients should tell their surgical team about all supplements, medications, and energy drinks they regularly use before surgery, as some can increase bleeding risk or affect recovery.
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How do diet and hydration impact surgical recovery?
Recovery from surgery begins before the actual procedure, and diet and hydration significantly influence how a patient feels. Prioritize protein intake before and after surgery. Stay well hydrated to help with dryness and process medications and fluids from surgery. After surgery, choose balanced, lower-carbohydrate meals and limit excess sodium to reduce swelling. Consider a multivitamin if your diet is lacking. Small choices before and after surgery contribute to a smoother recovery. Always follow the specific nutrition and recovery instructions provided by your surgical team, as recommendations can vary based on your procedure and individual needs.
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What is Dr. Criswell's approach to lip balancing?
Dr. Criswell recognizes that every lip shape is unique. Her approach to lip balancing requires strategic placement of product, focusing on the patient's proportions, correcting any asymmetries, and paying close attention to detail.
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What is Dr. Criswell's approach and philosophy for tummy tucks?
Dr. Criswell takes a personalized approach to tummy tuck surgery, customizing each procedure to the patient’s anatomy and goals. The goal is to create a smoother abdominal profile while maintaining natural proportions, addressing excess skin and tissue, and weakened or separated abdominal muscles when needed. She focuses on results that complement the rest of the body rather than looking overdone.
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What community organizations does Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery support?
Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery is a proud sponsor of the 10th Annual Pink Pumps & Bow Ties Gala, benefiting the Pretty In Pink Foundation. They support this foundation because it helps uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients access lifesaving medical treatment.
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What is the typical recovery timeline for a facelift?
Facelift recovery varies for each individual, depending on the specific technique used and whether additional procedures like fat grafting or skin resurfacing are performed. With modern techniques, recovery is often much shorter than the six weeks patients were once told to expect. Around 2 weeks post-facelift, most patients can wear makeup, style their hair down, and comfortably go out in public. By 3–4 weeks, most feel comfortable being out and about with little to suggest they’ve had surgery. Around 8 weeks is a good benchmark for feeling fully prepared for a major formal event.
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What is Dr. Criswell's philosophy for facelift results and scarring?
The goal of a facelift is not to make it look like one has had a facelift, but rather to look like a refreshed, natural version of oneself. Modern techniques allow incisions to be carefully placed, resulting in discreet scars once healed.
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From Dr. Kara K. Criswell's Instagram

@criswellplastics →

Recent photos posted by @criswellplastics, Dr. Kara K. Criswell's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.

Images © Dr. Kara K. Criswell / @criswellplastics, shown here with a link to the original post. Procedure labels are inferred from the post's caption and hashtags. If you are the account owner and want an image removed, contact support [at] navmds.com.

Patient Experience

Dr. Kara K. Criswell Review Summary

4.7
Dr. Criswell receives stellar reviews, averaging 4.7 stars across multiple platforms. Patients consistently praise her surgical skills and compassionate bedside manner.

Ratings from Other Platforms

healthgrades.com

4 out of 5

Based on 12 reviews

View on healthgrades.com

health.usnews.com

5 out of 5

Based on 141 reviews

View on health.usnews.com

realself.com

4.8 out of 5

Based on 101 reviews

View on realself.com
Dr. Kara K. Criswell, MD, FACS - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Charlotte, North Carolina

Criswell & Criswell Plastic

14835 Ballantyne Village Way, 210, Charlotte, North Carolina

Book a Service Consultation

Each service is approximately 60 minutes.

Industry Payments

Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.

Total received (2025)

$73

Payments

3

Compared to peers

Small

Dr. Kara K. Criswell received $73 across 3 payments in 2025. That is in the lower half for physicians here — totals this size are typically meals at sponsored talks. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was ABBVIE INC..

What this means for your care

  • A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
  • Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
  • Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
  • A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”

Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗

Patient Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Insurance Information

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Location & Contact Information

Criswell & Criswell Plastic

14835 Ballantyne Village Way, 210

Charlotte, North Carolina

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Office Information

Where does Dr. Kara K. Criswell practice?

Doctor's Office

Criswell & Criswell Plastic (Primary)

14835 Ballantyne Village Way, 210, Charlotte, North Carolina

(101 reviews)

Hospital Affiliations

Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center

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Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center

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Education & Experience

Certifications & Licenses

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Facs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an appointment with Dr. Kara K. Criswell online?
The provided information doesn't specify whether online appointments are available. It's best to contact Dr. Criswell's office directly to inquire about booking options.
Does Dr. Kara K. Criswell offer telehealth?
The provided information doesn't mention telehealth services. Contacting the office directly is recommended for inquiries about telehealth options.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Kara K. Criswell?
Patients rave about Dr. Criswell's compassionate care, incredible surgical results, and artistic talent. Reviews highlight her expertise in breast augmentation, reduction, and reconstruction, as well as her overall positive impact on patients' lives.
What areas of care does Dr. Kara K. Criswell cater to?
Dr. Criswell specializes in plastic surgery, with a focus on procedures such as breast reconstruction, augmentation, reduction, revision, and tummy tucks. Her expertise extends to body sculpting and achieving aesthetically pleasing results. The practice specializes in both Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Criswell believes that knowing what to expect and diligently following post-operative instructions are key to a successful recovery. The practice aims to create an experience where patients feel heard, supported, and cared for from the initial consultation through recovery, focusing on more than just exceptional results. Every member of the Criswell & Criswell team, including surgeons, nurses, patient care, front office, surgical, and aesthetic teams, plays an important role in creating a personal and trusted patient experience.