Rhinoplasty healing takes several months to years to reach the final result. While patients can often appreciate their side profile result within a few weeks after surgery, it takes at least one year for the subtle contours to appear on the nose. The initial changes in rhinoplasty swelling occur in about 6-8 weeks post rhinoplasty and then monthly up to…
Reconstruction of lumpectomy defects has advanced over the past several years with the implementation of oncoplastic reconstruction techniques. Patients often have questions about how their skin will look following post-lumpectomy radiation therapy. This patient underwent right lumpectomy with post-operative radiation therapy and left breast reduction/mastopexy for symmetry. The right sided scars that underwent radiation therapy have healed better than the…
Pathologic fractures of the mandible following tumor excision and radiation can be challenging to correct. These fractures are often best definitively treated with free fibula flap reconstruction of the mandibular defect with careful attention to the patients occlusion. More specific information to step-by-step reconstruction of these challenging defects can be read by clicking on this link.
Often patients with breast cancer who undergo lumpectomy have implants in place that may have been ruptured or are not in anatomical position. Often these patients wish to have the mammary prosthesis removed at the time of lumpectomy while their cancer is being effectively treated. Removal of the mammary prosthesis and improvement of the shape of the breast can improve…
In patients with DCIS or breast cancer, the cancer can be removed using patterns to improve the appearance or shape of the breast. These patterns accomplish several things: 1) It allows large margins to be obtained as well as the overlying skin. 2) It prevents a post-operative lumpectomy defect. 3) It improves the appearance of the breast and “psyche” of…
Radiation is a therapy that patients will receive post-lumpectomy. After the oncoplastic reconstruction of the lumpectomy defect, patients will have tattoos or stickers placed to help guide the radiation beam. Radiation therapy typically occurs 6 weeks post lumpectomy. It is important for patients to eat a high protein diet post surgery to facilitate wound healing prior to initiating radiation therapy.
There are many patients who have undergone previous surgeries and who have complex abdominal wall hernias. Often these hernias have had previous mesh placement or previous infections. When these hernias occur after a repair, they are called recurrent abdominal wall hernias. Repairing these hernias often requires removal of the previous mesh, placing a new biological mesh, and then releasing some…
There are many different types of procedures that can be done to improve the appearance and youthful features of the face. In younger patients, the lower blepharoplasty is very helpful to restore a a more refreshed appearance to the face. This procedure involves removing the fat that accumulates from the lower eyelids. In facelift surgery, the skin along the jowls,…
Tissue Expanders are often inserted as a first stage of breast reconstruction during the mastectomy. The tissue expanders can be placed above the muscle or below the muscle and depending upon the type of reconstruction that is going to be undertaken. When the tissue expander is placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle it often assumed a higher position that expected…
Breast cancer lumpectomy defects can be closed with plastic & reconstructive surgical techniques. Often times at the time of a lumpectomy for breast cancer, patients choose to remove their mammary prosthesis. Removal of the mammary prosthesis can create a potential space where fluid can accumulate in the post-operative period. Patterns used to reduce this post operative space and at the…
