Ole Miss Alum is 'the' plastic surgeon

Beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, but as far as Hollywood is concerned, only one eye truly counts. That eye belongs to plastic surgeon and University of Mississippi alumnus Garth Fisher, who has been labeled “plastic surgeon of the stars.”

As the original surgeon behind hit TV series “Extreme Makeover,” Fisher has not merely made a name for himself in the field of cosmetic surgery, he has become the only name. Celebrities, politicians and anyone who is anyone come to California to have him do their face-lifts and reconstructive surgeries.

But out in Beverly Hills, Fisher is a long way from home. As a fifth grader, Fisher and his mother and sister, moved to Laurel to stay with family while his dad was sent to Vietnam. What was supposed to be a year away from home turned into a new life for Fisher when his dad went MIA and was never heard from again.

“Losing him taught me to work hard,” Fisher said. “I was motived to put my nose to the grindstone.”

After graduating from R.H. Watkins High School, Fisher attended Jones County Junior College. He soon realized he was meant to go into the medical field and poured all of his focus into achieving that goal.

“I was working as a janitor at the hospital when Dr. Charles McCray, the head surgeon, invited me to watch a surgery,” Fisher said. “I left work that day and changed my major to pre-med.”

After two years at JCJC, Fisher made the trek to Oxford to continue his education at Ole Miss and ended up at the University of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson. He chose to specialize in plastic surgery because the meticulousness of the speciality fit his personality.

Today he is known for being a visionary in terms of using media to educate prospective patients about plastic surgery. In addition to “Extreme Makeover,” Fisher put together “The Naked Truth” video series that digs deep into the facts of plastic surgery. His professional success has trumped everyone’s path he has crossed.

“I was fortunate to be trained by some of the best surgeons around,” Fisher said. “I’ve outworked everybody that I’ve come across. I think a combination of sound judgement and technical expertise is what really sets me apart.”

Although by now he claims to be “pretty disconnected” from the South, Fisher still recognizes the interpersonal skills that were embedded into him while growing up in Mississippi.

“There is nothing like the incredible roots of the South,” Fisher said.

While Fisher admits that “most people from Jones County (Laurel) couldn’t afford me,” he occasionally gets the Mississippi visitor at his office.

“Patients come from everywhere,” Fisher said.

For those of us that can’t afford “facial beautification and revitalization,” Fisher has a new line of skin care products available. CellCeuticals, his skin care line, is now available online and through QVC.

“CellCeuticals was created through sound science,” Fisher explained. “It’s quite affordable and very simple. Anyone can use it.”

As for what’s next with the ever busy doctor, there has been talk of a new “Extreme Makeover” planned for Russia. Exact details are still under wraps, but until then Fisher can be found working and promoting plastic surgery and beauty.

While his profession calls for him to make people beautiful, he explains that beauty isn’t something that occurs under a knife.

“Beauty is something that pleases you,” Fisher said. “It’s unique and very strong. It’s certainly non-surgical.