Portrait of a smiling bald male doctor wearing a white coat and black turtleneck with a name tag that reads 'Chris Nichols, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon' against a plain background.

Chris Nichols, MD

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Olympia, Washington

Dr. Nichols provides aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery with a focus on natural outcomes, technical precision, and patient safety. Areas of emphasis include breast surgery, body contouring, facial rejuvenation, and fat grafting.

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CREDentials At a Glance

  • Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)

  • Founder, Pearl Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa

  • Comprehensive training in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery

  • Clinical focus on fat grafting, body contouring, and facial rejuvenation

  • Serving Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and the South Sound

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Logo of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Logo of the Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons featuring a stylized snake wrapped around a speech bubble.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Nichols

Patients come to Dr. Nichols for natural-appearing results, thoughtful surgical planning with clear expectations, technical precision in contouring and symmetry, and safety-first care supported by meticulous follow-up.

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About Dr. Nichols

Dr. Chris Nichols is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of Pearl Plastic Surgery in Olympia, Washington. He completed plastic and reconstructive surgery residency training at Washington University in St. Louis and general surgery training at Columbia University’s Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, earning his MD from the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Nichols provides cosmetic and reconstructive procedures with a focus on natural-looking results, surgical precision, and safety-first care. He is deeply committed to breast reconstruction after breast cancer, offering options that prioritize both function and appearance. Pearl Plastic Surgery serves patients throughout Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tacoma, and the surrounding South Sound.

  • Dr. Nichols completed his Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency at Washington University in St. Louis. He also trained in General Surgery at Columbia University’s Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, New York. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine and his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. Dr. Nichols is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

  • Dr. Nichols is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association. These memberships reflect his commitment to evidence-based care, ongoing education, and high professional standards.

  • In addition to cosmetic surgery, Dr. Nichols is committed to breast reconstruction after breast cancer. He provides reconstructive options designed to restore both function and appearance, with careful planning and individualized treatment strategies.

  • Dr. Nichols and his family have lived in the Pacific Northwest since 2008. Outside of surgery, he enjoys the region’s outdoor lifestyle, including snowboarding, hiking, kitesurfing, and kayaking.

Research & Publications

    • Plastic Surgery Education Foundation and Academy of Otolaryngology Poster. Motor Nerve Architecture and Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, 2007.

    • Co-Investigator Award, First Prize. A paradigm Shift From Sensory to Motor Nerve Grafting to Improve Nerve Regeneration. Plastic Surgery Education Foundation Basic Science Essay Contest, 2007.

    • American Society for Surgery of the Hand Research Grant ($9930) Determinants of Motor Neuron Pathway Specificity, 2003-2005.

    • Christopher Nichols, MD; Daniel Albershardt, MD: Tissue Contraction With Helium-Based Plasma Radiofrequency Technology: A Preliminary Report of Initial Ultrasound Findings. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, Volume 6, November 14, 2024.

    • Perlyn CA, Nichols CM, Woo A, Becker D, Kane AA. Le Premier Siècle: One Hundred Years of Progress in the Treatment of Apert Syndrome. J Craniofac Surg. 20(3): 801-6, May 2009.

    • Sakiyama-Elbert SE, McKee A, Ahmad S, Soman NR, Lowe JB, Brenner MJ, Fox IK, Nichols CM, Myckatyn TM, Hunter

    • DA, Tung TH, Mackinnon SE. Effect of Sciatic Nerve Injury on Gene Expression in Ventral Horn, Dorsal Root Ganglia and Sciatic Nerve. Muscle and Nerve. In review.

    • Moradzadeh A, Borschel GH, Nichols CM, Koob J, Hunter DA, Mackinnon SE. Motor nerve architecture and peripheral nerve regeneration. Otolaryngology-Head and neck Surg. 137(2) S1: 213, 2007.

    • Hess JR, Brenner MJ, Fox IK, Nichols CM, Myckatyn TM, Hunter DA, Rickman SR, Mackinnon SE. Use of cold-preserved allografts seeded with autologous Schwann cells in the treatment of a long-gap peripheral nerve injury. Plast Reconstr Surg. 119(1):246-59, 2007.

    • Snyder A, Fox IK, Nichols CM, Hunter DA, Rickman SR, Mackinnon SE. The neuroregenerative effects of pre- injury

    • FK-506 administration. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 118(2), August 2006, pp 360-367.

    • Nichols CM, Myckatyn TM, Fox IK, Rickman SR, Mackinnon SE: Choosing the correct functional assay: A comprehensive assessment of functional tests in the rat. Behavioral and Brain Research. 163(2):143-58, 2005.

    • Nichols CM, Brenner MJ, Fox IK, Tung TH, Hunter DA, Rickman SR, Mackinnon SE: Effect of motor versus sensory nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration. Experimental Neurology, 190, 347-355, 2004

    • Nichols CM, Kane AA. Periumblical Dermolipectomy: A Novel Technique for Abdominoplasty. Presented at: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Orlando, Florida, January 2008.

    • Morazadeh A, Borschel GH, Nichols CM, Koob J, Hunter DA, Mackinnon SE. Impact of Sensory and Motor Nerve Architecture in Nerve Regeneration. Presented at: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington DC, September 2007.

    • Nichols CM, Kane AA. A Novel Technique in Abdominal Dermolipectomy. Presented at: Washington University Resident Research Symposium 2007.

    • Moradzadeh A, Nichols CM, Koob J, Myckatyn TM, Tung T, Hunter DA, Mackinnon SE. The Role of Motor and Sensory Nerve Architecture in Regeneration through Cold Preserved Nerve Grafts. AAHS/ASRM/ASPN Annual Meeting, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 2007.

    • Nichols CM, Moradzadeh A, Hunter DA, Mackinnon SE. Effects of motor versus sensory nerve architecture on regeneration through cold preserved nerve grafts. Presented at: Washington University Resident Research Symposium 2006.

    • Nichols CM, Brenner MJ, Fox IK, Tung TT, Hunter DA, Rickman SR, and Mackinnon SE. Effects of motor versus sensory nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration. Presented at: Missouri Medical Society Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, 2006.

    • Nichols CM, Luginbuhl RD, Brenner MJ, Rocque B, Hunter DA, and Mackinnon SE. Use of Modality Matched Autogenous Nerve Material in Peripheral Nerve Repair with Conduits. Presented at: AAHS/ASRM/ASPN Annual Meeting, Tucson, AZ, 2006.

    • Nichols CM. Current concepts and new horizons in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries: CME course. Presented at: AAPA 33rdAnnual Conference, Orlando, FL, 2005.

    • Nichols CM, Brenner MJ, Fox IK, Tung TT, Hunter DA, Rickman SR, and Mackinnon SE. Effects of modality matched nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration. Presented at: AAHS/ASRM/ASPN Annual Meeting, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 2005.

    • Fox IK, Nichols CM, Brenner MJ, Hunter DA, Jaramillo A, Wood PM, Mohanakumar T, and Mackinnon SE. Schwann cell injected cold preserved nerve allografts for reconstruction of the long nerve gap: Preliminary results. Presented at: AAHS/ASRM/ASPN Annual Meeting, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 2005.

    • Snyder A, Fox IK, Nichols CM, Hunter DA, and Mackinnon SE. The Effect of FK506 Preload Treatment on Nerve Regeneration. Presented at: AAHS/ASRM/ASPN Annual Meeting, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 2005.

    • Nichols CM, Brenner MJ, Tung TT, Jensen JN, Hunter DA, Mackinnon SE. Anti-CD40 Ligand Monoclonal Antibody in Murine Nerve Allografts. Presented at: Saint Louis Surgical Society 2004.

    • Nichols CM, Brenner MJ, Fox IK, Tung TT, Rickman SR, Hunter DA, Mackinnon SE. Effects of motor versus sensory nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration. Presented at: Washington University Resident Research Symposium 2004.

    • Friedman, J., Mooney, E., Lippitt, C., and Nichols CM. Reconstruction of excisional wounds of the nose with immediate cadaveric dermal scaffold undergrafting and full thickness autologous skin grafting. Presented at: Symposium of Advanced Wound Care, Las Vegas, NV, 2003.

    • Nichols CM, Mooney EK. Reconstruction of Nasal Defects Using Dermal Undergrafting. Presented at: Upstate New York Plastic Surgery Society 2003.

    • Nichols CM, Mooney EK. Repair of the Superficial Fascial System of the Lower Extremity. Presented at: Upstate New York Plastic Surgery Society 2002.

    • Nichols CM, Balkwill, D. Expression of the traI Gene in Deep Subsurface Microorganisms. Presented: Florida State University Honors Undergraduate Thesis Defense Committee, FSU Department of Biology 1997.

  • Nichols CM, Tung, TH: Urethral Reconstruction Surgery. (Chapter 3). In: Urethral Reconstructive Surgery. Humana

    • Press, Totowa NJ, In Brandes, SB (ed), 2008, pp 43-52.ription

Procedures performed by
Dr. Nichols

BREAST

BODY

FACE

  • Facial Fat Grafting
    Restore youthful volume to the face, smooth wrinkles, and improve skin quality.

  • Face Lift
    Lift and tighten sagging skin in the face for a refreshed, youthful appearance.

  • Neck Lift
    Lift and tighten sagging skin in the neck for a refreshed, youthful appearance.

  • Neck & Jawline Contouring
    Define and refine the neck and jawline with advanced fat removal and skin tightening.

  • Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
    Remove excess skin and fat to brighten and refresh tired-looking eyes.

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Call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nichols of Pearl Plastic Surgery.

Book Consult

 First step is a brief call with our Patient Care Coordinator