| Dr. Heller is an associate professor in the department of plastic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Here the doctor has answered some common questions that Bizymoms visitors have about Reconstructive Surgery.
Q. What is Reconstructive Surgery?
A. The term plastic surgery derives from the Greek word plastikos which means to mold or to shape. Reconstructive plastic s surgery is a specialized part of the practice which includes the procedures performed to reshape abnormal structures of the body, to improve or restore function and/or to allow a person to have a normal appearance. Abnormal structures of the body that are corrected during reconstructive surgery may be the result of birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumors, or disease. The three most commonly performed reconstructive surgeries in the United States are associated with tumor ablation (removal) and reconstruction, hand surgery, and breast reconstruction. For example, many cancer patients, especially those of breast cancer, will undergo reconstructive plastic surgery to recreate and rebuild the bust line while patients with broken nose may require reconstructive procedures as well.
Q. What is the difference between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery?
A. Cosmetic plastic surgery (also called aesthetic plastic surgery) is the part of plastic surgery which provides "enhancement" of appearance through surgical and medical techniques, and is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. Examples of cosmetic procedures include procedures such as face lift, breast augmentation or tummy tucks as well eyelid procedures. liposuction or fillers injection. Surgical techniques used in the cosmetic surgery are frequently applied in reconstructive surgery and vice versa. In addition to this procedures which can be considered in one setting cosmetic procedures can be considered in different setting reconstructive procedures. For example if breast implants are used to enlarge the breast; this is a cosmetic procedure however if the same surgical technique is used to provide symmetry of the breasts in a teenager breast asymmetry, this will be considered a reconstructive procedure.
Q. What benefits does Reconstructive Surgery provide?
A. The main benefits of reconstructive surgery are restoration of function and normal appearance. This by itself has a major impact on the quality of life of the patients as shown by many studies and allows them to return to normal life. In many cases the surgical techniques employed today in reconstructive surgery allow resection of large malignant tumors such as sarcoma which are associated with very large defects. Without the capabilities of closing the wounds as provided by the reconstructive surgery the large tumors could not have been respected.
In the future reconstructive surgery may be associated with sophisticated methods of delivery of new modalities of therapy targeting specifically tumor.
Q. Who is a good candidate for Reconstructive Surgery?
A. Any patients who is interested in reconstructive surgery is a candidate for this type of procedures however the presence of risk factors in the patient’s medical history should be taken in consideration when planning the surgery. In addition to this the patient should be educated about the risks and benefits of the surgery and should have realistic expectations.
Q. Does Reconstructive Surgery have possible risks and complications?
A. Any surgery has risks and potential complications. The complications can be divided in a number of groups:
General complications associated with surgery such as bleeding, infection, scars, etc.
Complications associated with a specific surgery such as flap complications when a flap is performed.
Complications associated with the general condition of the patients such as heart problems or respiratory problems in smokers.
Q. How long does it take to recover from Reconstructive Surgery?
A. The length of the recovery period depends on the type of surgery the patient undergoes and the general condition of the patient. For example the recovery from a breast lift requires a few days while a patient who undergoes a breast reconstruction with a flap may need between 4-6 weeks to recover. It is important to discuss with the surgeon before the surgical procedure the estimated time required for recovery. This will allow the patient and the family to prepare for this specific period of time. In addition to this it was shown that patients that are well educated about the surgery and the recovery period of time cope better with all the aspects of the surgery.
Q. Does Reconstructive Surgery leave any visible scarring?
A. As any surgery, reconstructive procedures are associated with scars; however plastic surgeons invest significant efforts in achieving the less visible scars. The root of this approach may be found in the fact that due to the nature of our profession we as plastic surgeons are very sensitive to every aspect of the physical appearance and a significant part of our training and research efforts is dedicated to achieving the ideal and the less visible scar. Some of the factors that need to be taken in consideration in every surgical plan are orientation of the scar, the type of stitches that will be used in what layers of the tissue the stitches will be applied
Q. How can we contact Dr. Heller if we have further questions?
A. Contact information includes the following phone numbers:
713 798 4865;
713 798 6141;
713 798 6153.
Questions in the field of plastic surgery can be referred to the following email lheller@bcm.edu.
Our website is http://www.bcm.edu/plasticsurgery/physicians/heller.cfm |
