What to Expect – Recovering From a Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, is one of the most popular plastic surgeries performed in the world. It’s no wonder – given what an effective procedure it is for body contouring.
Even so, recovering from a tummy tuck requires patience, diligence, and the ability to deal with some discomfort. There are many factors that affect each person’s tummy tuck recovery. A mini tummy tuck, for example, will require less recovery than an extended tummy tuck.
Whatever the case, the best way to minimize postoperative complications is to follow the recovery instructions exactly as prescribed by your surgeon.
Recovering From a Tummy Tuck Overview
Generally speaking, most patients take 1-3 weeks off from work after a tummy tuck – though some will do less. Depending on the scope of the surgery, you’ll be able to return to regular activities such as cooking and driving within a week or two.
If your job is physically demanding, you’ll need to plan plenty of time off for your recovery. In addition, if you’re a fitness fanatic, you’ll be advised to ease back into your workout routine slowly and mindfully.
There are other factors that will significantly slow your recovery, such as smoking and drinking alcohol. So those will need to be avoided for optimal recovery. If you are prescribed narcotics, you will be able to drive once you stop taking them.
We’ll break it down into a more detailed timeline:
- First Week
The first week of recovery is usually the most uncomfortable. While rest is important for healing, you’ll also need to walk around for about five minutes every two hours to help prevent blood clots and promote the return of bowel function.
Along with having to wear compression garments, you’ll experience swelling, bruising, and soreness in the abdomen. You can also expect to experience exhaustion during the first one to three days post-op.
Pain medication will be prescribed and you can use ice packs outside of compression garments to further reduce swelling. Following the medication schedule as prescribed at the beginning will result in having to take significantly less medication for pain in the long run. During surgery, Exparel – a long-acting local anesthetic block – will be injected before you wake up to provide additional pain control.
- Second Week
The pain begins to subside and bruising continues to fade by the second week of recovery. While swelling decreases at this time, it is still present. Thus, you’ll need to continue wearing your compression garment.
Some patients feel well enough to return to work in seven to ten days, provided they don’t have a strenuous job. Any activity during this time should be slow and gentle though. Taking light walks is recommended during this time to increase blood circulation and prevent blood clots. If pain medication is still required, you’ll want to continue to follow the instructions as written.
Even if you’re feeling a lot better, you should continue to avoid lifting anything over 15-20 pounds or partaking in vigorous cardio.
Toward the end of that second week, you’ll be able to resume your normal diet and, should you wish, return to drinking alcohol in moderation. Because smoking is counter-indicated to proper healing, many patients choose their recovery time as an opportunity to quit smoking altogether.
- First Month
Around the third or fourth week, the pain, swelling, and bruising are greatly reduced. For some patients, they’re nearly or completely gone. Once you’re at that point, you’ll no longer need your compression garment.
- Second Month
For the vast majority of patients, life returns to normal and you’ll be able to resume more rigorous physical activity during the second month. Some patients are cleared around six weeks to do this, while others may have to wait until the end of the second month.
The Long View
Although the two-month point is when most patients are ready to get back out into the world, it’s not uncommon to experience some numbness for months afterward. There may also be occasional swelling as well as twinges of abdominal pain. All of this is normal and no need for concern. Different sorts of shapewear (such as Spanx) can assist with these.
Change Your Life With Body Contouring
While recovering from a tummy tuck can be a little challenging, the payoff is so worth it.
So if you’re ready to explore how a tummy tuck could improve your confidence and boost your self-esteem, contact us today.
We’ll guide you through the procedure, as well as the recovery, so you know exactly what to expect.
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser
If you’ve never heard of Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser, you’re not alone.
There’s the off-chance that you know him as the man who coined the term “stent” for the dental impression compound created by English dentist Charles Stent for facial reconstruction. It would later be used to expand constricted tubes of body tissue.
In the plastic surgery world though, he’s better known as a Dutch plastic surgeon who pioneered innovative methods of reconstructive surgery during World War I.
Early Life
Born in 1877 in Leiden, Netherlands, Esser suffered an attack of acute rheumatism in his youth. When he was thirteen, he lost his father and his grandfather followed shortly after. His mother, overcome with grief, became a recluse and couldn’t care for her children any longer. He and his siblings were placed with foster families.
Even at his young age, Esser was able to successfully sell the family home and buy new property. With such business acumen, it seemed for a while that Esser was heading into the business world. He was also a distinguished chess player and quickly defeated all the best players in Leiden.
Entry Into Medicine
Esser was such an excellent student that he gained entrance at Leiden – the oldest university in Holland – to study medicine. He demonstrated a profound interest in anatomy and assembled a collection of malformed skulls.
He continued to play in chess tournaments and wrote a column for the daily paper. His income from these ventures enabled him to finish his medical studies and graduate in 1903. He was also crowned Dutch National Chess Champion in the same year.
He practiced throughout the Netherlands and Europe. When the First World War struck, he became known for the treatment of frostbite, the improvement of various arterial lobes and pre-prosthetic–kineplastic amputation–stump formation, and cheek rotation flaps to address facial defects. He also performed breast reconstruction, facelifts, and hand and foot operations that included transplantation of toes.
Position of Prestige
His revolutionary work drew the attention of three university professors in Berlin who offered him a position in 1917 as head physician for plastic surgery. He eventually settled there.
A year later in 1918, he was awarded a medical license by the Ministry of Science, Art, and National Education. August Karl Gustav Bier, a famous general surgeon, emphatically recommended him.
In terms of his contribution to the proliferation and establishment of plastic surgery, his years in Berlin (1917-1925) were his most productive. He developed innovative surgical techniques, operated in 23 different hospitals, published groundbreaking articles, had connections with colleagues at specialist society meetings, and had a bevy of skilled assistants.
Esser would go on to operate on request as a consultant for Berlin’s most well-known surgeons. His main focus was plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face.
Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser Paved the Way
Without pioneers like Johannes “Jan” Fredericus Samuel Esser, plastic surgery as it exists today would never have come to fruition.
Fortunately, plastic surgery has come a long way since the early 20th century. So if you’re considering a procedure today, contact us.
You’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ll be under the best and most advanced medical care today.
Was There Cleft Palate Surgery in the 19th Century?
Surprisingly, there is evidence of cleft lip and palate surgery as far back as 390 BC in China. The Egyptians and Greeks also developed cleft palate ‘surgical’ techniques, though no descriptions of these remain.
There are descriptions of operations on cleft lip in the Middle Ages, and further evidence of cleft lip repairs pop up in European literature from the 13th to the 17th centuries. Even so, none of them involved advanced procedures.
Cleft palate surgery in the 19th century though was a different story.
Physicians Performing Cleft Palate Surgery in the 19th
Century
Early procedures before the 19th century mostly involved freshening cleft edges and suturing them together. It wasn’t until 1816, however, that the first successful cleft palate surgery was recorded.
One of the major reasons for this was the development of effective anesthetics. Without them, the procedure was difficult and very painful. Karl Ferdinand Gräfe and Philibert Joseph Roux were the first to publish a satisfactory result. From there, others followed.
Philibert Joseph Roux
Trained as a military surgeon, Philibert Joseph Roux moved to Paris and befriended Xavier Bichat. Bichat was a well-known anatomist and pathologist and had a major influence on Roux.
As he moved up the ranks, Roux would eventually become chief surgeon at Hôtel-Dieu de Paris. He is most remembered for being among the first to perform a staphylorrhaphy, or surgical repair of a cleft palate.
Improving upon the earlier works performed by von Gräfe, Roux would go on to write a memoir that provided details of the procedure that involved working on an infant’s mouth.
Victor von Bruns
Meanwhile, in early 19th century Germany, surgeon Victor von Bruns was making advances in plastic surgery and laryngology. As a founding member of the German Society of Surgery, he was most well-known for his impressive reconstruction of the cheek and lip in patients who had experienced trauma. He also gained fame for his surgical resections for cancer and other diseases.
Furthermore, he popularized the use of absorbent cotton dressings, which has since become a standard practice in treating wounds.
John Collins Warren
Founder of the New England Journal of Medicine, John Collins Warren was an American surgeon who was revolutionary in the field of anesthesia during the first half of the 19th century. He was also the first dean of Harvard Medical School and the third president of the American Medical Association.
In 1846, he removed a tumor from his patient’s neck. It was the first time ether was used to ease the pain from a surgical procedure. Along with another surgeon William Morton, Warren would continue to champion the use of sulphuric ether for surgical operations.
One of Warren’s works describes the first American procedure for soft palate repair. He had been completely unaware of Roux’s description which had been published three years previous to that.
Cleft Palate Surgery Gives Many a Reason to Smile
Technology and innovation have come a long way since cleft palate surgery in the 19th century. And it’s because of all this past work that today’s cleft lip and palate surgeries are far more predictable and incredibly safe.
Though plastic surgery is a newer field, it has a colorful history. Be sure to keep checking back with our blog for more great stories on how plastic surgery has evolved.
And if you’re interested in exploring all of the plastic surgery procedures we offer, please contact us today!
Which Plastic Surgery Procedures Require More PTO?
Any time you have surgery, some (if not a lot) of your body’s tissue is manipulated. This means there is always going to be at least a small amount of time for your natural tissue vitality to be restored.
Patients considering a procedure who have a full-time job often inquire as to which plastic surgery procedures require more PTO.
It’s an important question because planning ahead is going to give you the best odds for faster healing. Especially for procedures that have a longer recovery time.
Some Plastic Surgery Procedures Require More PTO Than Others
In a previous post, we looked at procedures with the shortest average recovery times. We say ‘average’ because no two patients will ever have the same experience. Depending on a number of factors, some of the so-called ‘shorter’ recovery time procedures end up being longer than anticipated.
Nevertheless, we’ll look at some of the more complicated procedures here and what you can expect in terms of arranging for that paid time off.
- SMAS Facelift
A SMAS facelift is not to be confused with the simpler in-office or ‘lunchtime’ lift (also known as MACS). The SMAS facelift is considered by many surgeons to be the only true facelift, as it is more than just a skin-supported facelift.
With a SMAS facelift, muscle and connective tissue are manipulated. As such, the recovery time is much longer. Nurse care may even be required for the first night or two.
Generally speaking, it takes about two weeks before the bruising dissipates enough that makeup becomes effective. So if you’re choosing this procedure, start saving up those days now.
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
The tummy tuck is the next biggest contender for most PTO required after a procedure. Similar to the SMAS facelift, nurse care may be required for the first night or two.
Because of the complexity of this procedure, it is crucial to do sit-ups for at least six weeks. That doesn’t mean you’ll need to take six weeks off though! Most people do well by planning to take a week and a half to two weeks off.
You may find you’re ready to go back after five days or so. But whatever the case, you’ll still need to wear a compression garment and avoid heavy lifting for four to six weeks.
- Nose Job (Rhinoplasty)
The good news is, rhinoplasty doesn’t require aftercare nursing. And the pain will likely be mild for only a couple of days.
Unfortunately, the under-eye bruising is significant for a solid week – regardless of any efforts to conceal it. So if you’re in the public eye, the recommended time off for rhinoplasty is one week.
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The general recommendation for time off after a BBL is three to seven days. It all depends on your ability to tolerate pain.
There is going to be swelling after a BBL procedure so you’ll be required to wear a compression garment for eight weeks. This also means that you shouldn’t sit or sleep directly on your buttocks for one to two weeks. You can sit on a donut cushion though and sleep on your side.
- Breast Reduction/Lift/Implants
Much like the BBL, the recommendation for time off after a breast reduction/lift/implant is in the three to seven-day range.
A breast reduction removes excess tissue and fat and raises the breasts without manipulation of the pectoralis major muscle. This fact means there will only be some discomfort – though you can expect swelling and bruising.
Additionally, in the case of a breast lift that does NOT require manipulating the pectoralis major muscle, the discomfort may also not last too long. The bruising and swelling could stick around for seven to ten days though.
Meanwhile, in an augmentation procedure where the implant is placed under the pectoralis major, there is going to be more discomfort for an average of four to seven days.
At the end of the day, the amount of time you opt to take off for any of these breast procedures will depend largely on your ability to deal with pain.
Be Realistic When Considering the Time Off You’ll Need
While the above plastic surgery procedures require more PTO than many others, it’s important to remain realistic about what you need during recovery.
There will be times post-op when you feel more discomfort than other times. You’ll want to prepare for those.
So if you’re considering a procedure, be sure to contact us to get the low-down on what you might expect from your own recovery based on how you specifically heal. Then you can more comfortably go from there.
What To Expect – Bruising After Rhinoplasty
Having any kind of surgery is a serious commitment. An honest and ethical surgeon will always provide full disclosure about what to expect after a procedure.
While bruising is common after many procedures, the bruising after rhinoplasty can be particularly remarkable. Especially in cases where the procedure is more extensive.
Understanding that bruising is the body’s natural response to the healing process and that it will go away after two or three weeks can bring comfort. Even so, a face that appears battered around the nose and eyes can be shocking to a patient who hasn’t been prepped for it.
Rhinoplasty Is SO Worth It Though
Many patients consider rhinoplasty because they’re currently not happy with the appearance of their face. With the nose being a major focal point on the face, some alterations through rhinoplasty can do wonders to improve one’s facial appearance.
As such, patients are often excited to see the results after the procedure and can feel let down by the appearance of bruising. For those who only needed a simple change to the nasal tip, the bruising may not be too extreme.
For those who need changes that involve breaking and resetting the bone, manipulating nasal cartilage, and/or altering the framework of the nose, however, the bruising can be more extensive.
Whatever the case, with proper care and attention the bruising does eventually subside and the patient is left with the increased confidence that comes with a brand new appearance.
The 411 on Bruising After Rhinoplasty
As always, the best way to help prevent major bruising is take preemptive measures to stay healthy (quit smoking, drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious diet, etc.) before the surgery. In addition, always follow the surgeon’s instructions to a tee. A patient must also disclose any blood thinners, other medications, or even supplements he or she is taking as they may need to avoid them to promote healing.
Again, the extensiveness of the procedure as well as the individual’s own ability to heal will all be factors in how long to expect bruising. We’ll look at a general timeline here though.
The First Few Days
Bruising can appear immediately following rhinoplasty surgery. These early bruises tend to be more red in color because of oxygen in the blood. Thus, they may not look as severe.
It’s in the days that follow this that the bruising becomes more apparent. At this point, they become darker purple, blue, or even black. This is normal for a few days.
Five to Ten Days Later
As the body continues to heal over those first five days, the bruising starts to change colors. It will fade from intense purple to a lighter purple with shades of green. By the time the patient hits day ten, the blue and purple may be completely gone and the colors shift from green to yellowish-brown.
Two to Three Weeks After
Most patients with who have had extensive work will find their bruising completely gone after three weeks. For those who had a simpler procedure, it could be as little as two weeks.
When you look at the big picture and in the scope of one’s life, it’s not really that long. Right?
Reap the Benefits of Rhinoplasty
Despite the strong possibility of facial bruising after rhinoplasty, the benefits of having one far outweigh this temporary inconvenience.
So if you’re ready to discuss the possibility of rhinoplasty with an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon, contact us today.
And prepare to love your new face.
4 Plastic Surgery Procedures With Shorter Recovery
Life is busy these days. Sometimes overwhelmingly so. And time is of the absolute essence.
So when you glance over your self-improvement list, you may want to dismiss any sort of cosmetic surgery because, well, recovering from surgery takes a long time, right?
In fact, there are a handful of plastic surgery procedures with shorter recovery times that may just surprise you. And these procedures can also improve your professional and personal relationships.
Plastic Surgery Procedures With Shorter Recovery
If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure but have been putting it off because you’re dreading the recovery time, you may want to look over the following four procedures that require less time for recovery.
The most important thing to keep in mind with all of these procedures, however, is that there will always be variations in recovery times from one treatment to another. Patients who don’t bother to diligently follow their board-certified surgeon’s post-op directions are likely to experience longer recovery times.
- In-Office Facelift
Not all facelifts are created equal.
With an in-office facelift, there’s no need for general anesthesia. Instead, this less involved facelift uses local anesthesia. That fact alone cuts down on recovery time. And while there is minimal bruising and stitches, most patients can work from home in three to four days – with the bruises healing and the stitches removed usually within a week.
While the patient will need to hold off on strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects for two to three weeks, he or she can expect to resume their regular activities within a week or two.
- Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty is also known as arm lift surgery. It reduces excess sagging skin and localized fat hanging off the upper arm while tightening and smoothing underlying supportive tissue.
Also performed under general anesthesia, there are two types of brachioplasty. With a full brachioplasty, more skin and fat are removed. A modified brachioplasty does not require as much removal. Therefore, it is the one that will involve a shorter recovery time.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for the modified variation. For those who are though, they can expect to return to work and regular activities within a week.
- Localized Liposuction
We’ll start this one off with a disclaimer because recovery from this procedure depends wholly on the extent of the liposuction and the area of the body where you need work.
BUT if you’re wanting to get rid of love handles or small pockets of fat on the lateral thighs or abdomen, you can do so with localized liposuction. No need for general anesthesia here. Local anesthesia does the job in this case. And you can expect to be back to work within three or four days – though you’ll still need to avoid heavy lifting or vigorous activity for two to three weeks.
- Blepharoplasty
Finally, as complicated as cosmetic surgery around the eyes might seem, blepharoplasty is performed in one to two hours as an outpatient procedure. This cosmetic eyelid surgery procedure corrects drooping upper eyelids as well as puffy bags under the eyes.
A cold compress is applied in the first two hours after the surgery with minimal bruising resolving within a week. And eye makeup and contact lenses should be avoided for five to seven days. Beyond that first week though, patients can expect to resume strenuous physical activity within two to three weeks.
Be Kind to Yourself
Even when choosing one of the plastic surgery procedures with shorter recovery time, it’s important to give your body the care it needs while healing.
And, as mentioned above, it’s crucial you follow your plastic surgeon’s exact post-op specifications to keep recovery time at a minimum.
Given that, if you’re ready to explore a cosmetic surgery procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. We’re excited to open you up to a new world full of possibility. And in less time than you may have imagined!
Is There Plastic Surgery for the Arms?
Given all the attention to having a flatter belly, firmer breasts, and fuller buttocks, you may not have considered the idea of plastic surgery for the arms.
Then again, you may have. Particularly if you find yourself dodging sleeveless clothing or covering up on the beach to avoid exposing the loose and saggy skin under your arms.
While liposuction can do the trick where there is minimal sagging and good skin laxity, plastic surgery is the best approach for more advanced cases. And it’s highly effective.
What Is Plastic Surgery for the Arms?
You might be quite trim. You eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Yet, no matter how many times you hit the arm weights each week, you’re still noticing that ‘batwing’ effect. And yes, it’s frustrating.
In these cases where aging and/or weight loss have left saggy upper arms that are disproportionately wider in circumference than the remainder of the arm, diet and exercise are not going to be a fix. This is when plastic surgeons will typically recommend brachioplasty.
Known more simply as an arm lift, brachioplasty removes the excess skin and fat that hangs from the upper arms. The end result is a sleeker, more toned upper arm with no more sagging skin or irregular bulges.
The Brachioplasty Procedure
Brachioplasty is generally done on an outpatient basis and under either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will discuss the best option for your specific needs.
Once you are adequately sedated, your surgeon will begin with an incision either inside the arm or on the back of the arm. The incision length and pattern vary from patient to patient depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed and where it’s located.
Your plastic surgeon will do everything in his or her power to limit the incisions and scarring as much as possible. However, in cases where there is a lot of excess skin and fat, a longer incision may be required. And while this will leave a scar, it will fade significantly over time.
Regardless of the incision, excess fat is either directly excised or removed through liposuction. From there, underlying tissue is tightened and then reshaped using internal sutures. Then the skin is smoothed over the resulting toned contour.
Finally, incisions are closed with either absorbable sutures or with stitches that will need to be removed within a week or two of the procedure.
What to Expect During Recovery
First, plan to take at least a few days to a week off from work to facilitate your recovery. Particularly if you have a very physical job.
As with any surgery, you will likely feel some soreness for the first few days so your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to provide comfort as you heal.
You may also notice some swelling and bruising for the first week or so after the procedure. It’s important that you wear the prescribed compression garment to offset this and promote quicker healing.
Finally, you’ll want to avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise until the incisions are fully healed. After that, you are good to go to the gym or the beach or anywhere else you want to show off your gorgeous new arms!
Are You Interested in Brachioplasty?
With the huge array of other confidence-boosting cosmetic procedures available, it only makes sense there would be plastic surgery for the arms.
So if you’re frustrated with jiggly upper arms that don’t get any more toned with diet and exercise, contact us today for a free consultation. And start shopping for sleeveless clothes again!
What Is Otoplasty?
If you scan through a class picture of elementary school children, you’re bound to see one or two kids with some sort of ear abnormality.
For many of these kids, their ‘unusual’ ears are a source of embarrassment. Some of them grow into adulthood without the issue being addressed and are forced to navigate some rather awkward social situations. The lucky ones get otoplasty.
Which leads to the question, what is otoplasty?
What Is Otoplasty?
Cosmetic ear surgery that’s performed on the visible part of the outer ear (known as the auricle) is known as otoplasty. It’s performed on both children and adults.
Under the umbrella of otoplasty, there are three different procedures.
Ear pinning is recommended when the patient has prominent ears that expand out from the sides of the head. An ear reduction helps patients who have oversized ears – also known as macrotia. Finally, augmentation is for those who have misshapen, small, or underdeveloped auricles.
Those Who Benefit From Otoplasty
The majority of people who seek otoplasty tend to have congenital ear conditions. For many, the auricle didn’t develop properly. This can result in protruding, constricted, or misshapen ears.
Otoplasty corrects these conditions.
But otoplasty doesn’t just address congenital anomalies. Patients who have sustained ear injuries or trauma from car accidents, dog bites, etc. will also benefit from otoplasty. A common injury among boxers, wrestlers, and martial artists is cauliflower ear. Otoplasty addresses that as well.
Since the auricle doesn’t reach 90% of its adult size until the age of five, that’s the minimal age for otoplasty. Of course, adults of all ages can get otoplasty. Patients should be in good health and be non-smokers or quit smoking weeks before the procedure.
What to Expect From the Procedure
Because there are different types of procedures, there is no one-size-fits-all. The specific surgical technique depends on the patient’s needs.
In general though, there will be an incision on the back of the ear or inside the folds. The ear tissue will be manipulated to either remove skin/cartilage, fold and shape the cartilage, or graft cartilage to the ear.
Any incision made is closed with stitches.
In most cases, otoplasty is done as an outpatient procedure that takes between one and three hours. Because the procedures tend to be outpatient, surgeons typically use local anesthesia with a sedative.
For younger children, however, the surgeon may choose general anesthesia.
Recovery
Once the procedure is complete, a compression bandage will be applied to the ears and kept there for the first 24 hours. After that, lighter dressing will cover the surgical incisions. It’s important that the dressing is kept clean and dry.
Avoid sleeping or resting in any position that will put pressure on the ear(s). Also, while the ear(s) are healing, it’s best to stick with clothes that button or zip up rather than those that need to be pulled over the head.
And for parents of children having otoplasty, they’ll need to be watchful that their child doesn’t touch or scratch his or her ear(s).
Most patients can expect to return to normal activity within a few days – although rigorous physical activity should be avoided for a couple of weeks during healing.
Could Otoplasty Help You or Your Child?
Now that you know the answer to the question of what is otoplasty, it’s time to consider it as an option for you or your child.
Contact us today to talk with our board-certified surgeons to find out how we can help.
We will happily advise you on the next best steps for getting this confidence-boosting procedure.
Pioneers of Plastic Surgery – Dr. Harold Gillies
The long-term disabilities from World War I were overwhelming. Many men came off the battlefield quite disfigured.
Not only were they in pain, but the disfigurement impacted their prospects for work. And the government offered little financial or social support.
Fortunately, pioneering surgeons like Dr. Harold Gillies were changing the face (literally) of surgery and providing needed relief for many of these men.
The Early Days
Treating facial injuries on the frontline was difficult, to say the least. Gaps and holes in the face were stitched together leaving jagged scars. And because there was so much missing flesh, the scars would tighten as they healed and pull the face into permanent grotesque expressions.
Some men were blinded or had a hole where their nose was. Others were unable to eat or drink because of severe deformities in the jaw. They had to be fed sitting up so they didn’t suffocate when they laid down.
The early days of skin grafting were awkward and unpleasant. A large flap of skin was lifted from somewhere near the wound and swung over the injury site. To maintain the blood flow and increase the chances of the graft being accepted, however, it was not severed from the donor area.
Then came Dr. Harold Gillies.
Dr. Harold Gillies
The history of plastic surgery dates back to 800 BC – though it was highly rudimentary at that point. By the Civil War, experimentation had advanced. Even so, the results were often disappointing and soldiers were left with gaping holes in their faces.
During World War I, Dr. Gillies worked at a French military hospital and was horrified by the head injury patients. He knew something needed to change. Working alongside other surgeons and dentists, as well as portraitists and sculptors, he explored new skin graft and bone repair procedures.
He recognized that the flaps in the above-mentioned surgical procedure would curl in on themselves when under tension. He proposed sewing the flaps into a tube to increase blood supply and also decrease the risk of infection.
Then once the tubed flap was attached near the injury site, it could be cut away from the donor area. From there, the skin could be opened and spread out to cover a wider area.
The procedure was a success.
Ushering in the Dawn of Modern Plastic Surgery
Dr. Harold Gillies had the courage to commit himself to a burgeoning wing of surgery that many told him he’d never make a living doing. By the time he had settled into Britain’s Queen’s Hospital, he and his team had advanced the field of reconstructive surgery to help thousands of veterans live a more normal life.
His work also laid the foundation for modern plastic surgery that would grow in strength and stature by World War II to provide the veterans of that war with even more life-changing procedures. And luckily so.
How Can Modern Plastic Surgery Help You?
Pioneering surgeons like Dr. Harold Gillies had a huge part in advancing plastic surgery and making it accessible to and safe for so many people today.
So if you’re considering a plastic surgery procedure, you can do so with peace of mind.
Further that peace of mind by working with only board-certified surgeons. Contact us today to see how plastic surgery could change your life for the better.
Is There Plastic Surgery for Congenital Anomalies?
If you’re not familiar with the term congenital anomalies, you may know them better as birth defects. Whatever the case, they are defined as structural or functional anomalies that occur in utero.
Some of these defects can be very serious and difficult, if not impossible, to resolve.
Fortunately, there is plastic surgery for congenital anomalies that are not as serious. Treatment involves many choices – the first of which is finding a highly skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Is There a Cause?
Congenital anomalies can have many causes. And as much as the world at large would like to zero in on specific causes in order to eliminate birth defects, it’s just not that easy.
In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), only half can be directly linked to a specific cause. There are two general areas from which the cause may rise:
- Genetic/Inherited
These are the hardest to pinpoint because they exist on the DNA or chromosomal level. When there are too many or too few chromosomes, or the structures are flawed, it can lead to a variety of different conditions.
In some cases, there may be mutations in genes, or a recessive inheritance whereby two parents carrying a recessive trait but don’t present with the condition themselves will pass it on to their offspring. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an example.
- Multiple Factors
In many cases, birth defects are the result of a specific combination of genes and environmental exposures. Some children inherit genes that cause sensitivity to certain environmental triggers. This is the most common cause of a cleft lip or palate.
Plastic Surgery for Congenital Anomalies
Among the many congenital anomalies plastic surgeons treat, procedures for cleft lip and palate are among the most commonly performed.
This condition can undermine a developing child’s ability to eat, speak, hear, and breathe properly. Left untreated, it can negatively impact his or her development and optimal functioning. Plastic surgery can successfully repair this condition.
It’s not just cleft lips and palates though. Plastic surgeons provide profound and even life-saving treatments to those struggling with a variety of congenital anomalies. Working with a team of specialists in other areas, they can treat the following:
- Congenital breast reconstruction
- Ear deformations or malformations
- Poland syndrome
- Tuberous breast deformity
And the above list is only a smattering of the diagnoses different plastic surgeons across the country can treat – sometimes in stages and over years. It may seem like a long journey, but the destination is hugely rewarding.
Do You Struggle With a Congenital Anomaly?
If you have a treatable congenital anomaly and feel you would benefit from reconstructive surgery, contact us today.
With the prevalence of plastic surgery for congenital anomalies, there’s a good chance a surgeon can help. We’ll take the time to discuss all of the options available to you.
