Plastic Surgeons are most associated with aesthetic surgery, procedures such as facelifts, tummy tucks and breast augmentations, surgeries performed to enhance one’s appearance. The goal of reconstructive surgery, however, is to restore form and or function. This type of surgery is a significant part of every Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon’s training.
All Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons are Board-Certified and well versed in various reconstructive surgery procedures. These procedures include restoration of different parts of the body due to trauma, cancer, or chronic disease as well as procedures to reconstruct congenital conditions in children and adults such as cleft lip and palate or other craniofacial issues. These procedures are performed in hopes of providing a better quality of life, better self-esteem and improved function since such ailments can make living a “normal” life difficult if not treated appropriately.
Examples of reconstructive plastic surgery provided by our members include:
Breast Reconstruction
There are many different procedures that can be utilized for breast reconstruction. Breast implants are not the only option. Parts of the stomach, back, thigh and buttock can be used to reconstruct breasts. Using part of the body to reconstruct breasts is known as an autologous breast reconstruction.
Tissue expansion
This is a technique for producing extra skin on any part of the body. Tissue expanders are inflatable devices that are placed under the skin. They are gradually inflated to stretch the skin. In effect, tissue expansion creates additional skin that be used to reconstruct large areas of skin loss. This approach is commonly used in burn patients as well as in in breast reconstruction.
Craniofacial surgery
Craniofacial surgery involves the complex manipulation of the bones and soft tissues of the head and face. Craniofacial procedures include cleft lip and palate repair, reshaping of the skull and jaw surgery.
Hand surgery
Hand surgery is also part of Plastic Surgery training. This training is very broad based and can include re-implantation of amputated fingers, repair of lacerated tendons or nerves, repair of broken bones, relief of nerve compression such as a carpel tunnel release as well as a number of surgeries related the correction of long-term sequela of arthritis or other chronic diseases. Most Plastic Surgeons who perform procedures on the hand will take an extra year of training specific to hand surgery.
A large number of the board-certified members of the Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeon offer reconstructive surgery procedures to their patients.
When considering a reconstructive surgery procedure, it’s imperative that you speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon about the operation for you or your loved one. During your consultation, your surgeon will assess not only the defect but also and your objectives to determine which reconstructive procedure is most suitable for you.
Speak to a member of the Dallas Society of Plastic surgeons to get the answers to your questions about reconstructive surgery. Our top priority is to provide you with relief and restoration. Contact one of board-certified surgeons today to schedule a consultation.
