Gruber Plastic Surgery

Gruber Plastic Surgery was founded by Dr. Meegan Gruber and operates from a single facility in Tampa, near Tampa International Airport, about 15 to 20 minutes away. The practice previously had locations in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, and it now serves patients from out of town and abroad. The practice describes its facility as state-of-the-art, and surgeries take place there.

Awake surgery under local anesthesia with no sedation is central to the practice. Patients stay awake and can give feedback during the procedure. Where a procedure calls for it, general anesthesia is also available, and twilight sedation is offered for some procedures. Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists monitor vital signs throughout general anesthesia. The practice says the awake approach supports faster recovery and avoids general anesthesia risks. Facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, arm and leg procedures, and lipedema surgery are all available.

The process starts with an intake form and an online virtual consultation through a secure patient portal, where photos, medical history and goals are reviewed and a financial estimate is provided. The surgeon sketches the expected result during this stage. An in-person consultation is then held, usually on the morning of surgery, to confirm or adjust the plan. Medications are delivered to the surgery center so patients do not need to pick them up. After surgery, postoperative garments are provided, with a follow-up visit the day after and a second set of garments.

For out-of-town patients, the Fly-In Program covers the virtual consultation, hotel recommendations and aftercare planning.

Financing is covered during the consultation. Insurance coverage for lipedema surgery depends on the provider, and the office helps figure out what a patient's plan will cover. Staff speak English, Spanish and French. The office is open weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

Centers on awake surgery under local anesthesia with no sedation, so patients stay alert and can give feedback during the procedure. General anesthesia is available where a procedure calls for it.

The facility is described as state-of-the-art.