How Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
When patients consider plastic surgery, it can be for any number of reasons – from physical to mental and emotional. They often overlap.
After all, some patients who want to improve physical features that cause embarrassment find increased self-confidence and enhanced body image post-op. So yes, plastic surgery improves quality of life.
And with surgeons worldwide using the latest technology, many of these transformations can happen in a matter of hours.
Physical Improvements
It’s fair to say that the majority of people seeking plastic surgery are looking for physical improvements. Perhaps they want to emphasize a certain part of their body – as they may with a Brazilian butt lift. For others, they want to draw the focus away from a body part such as a large nose or drooping eyebrows.
Yet, there’s another group of patients that may be looking to address an acute or chronic medical condition. Rhinoplasty or fixing a deviated septum, for instance, can greatly improve breathing for many patients. And patients who have survived breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy can benefit from reconstructive surgery.
In addition, other procedures can even address alignment issues in the body. In the cases of a tummy tuck or breast reduction, for example, patients report decreased back pain as a result of the front of the body no longer being pulled forward or the core muscles being out of balance.
Emotional/Psychological Benefits
In the vast majority of the above “physical” cases, the natural by-product of looking or feeling better is going to be higher self-esteem and a general sense of well-being that may have been missing previously.
The emotional outcomes will certainly vary from person to person. And much of this is based on their expectations. So a handful of patients may come in to have scarring or blemishes they want addressed. These procedures are usually straightforward and patients report a high rate of satisfaction.
For more complicated procedures, however, it’s crucial that patients understand what they can realistically expect. This is why each patient must spend time consulting with his or her board-certified surgeon.
Communication Is Key
Obviously, patients are made aware of the potential risks of their procedure. But if a patient is banking on plastic surgery to completely change his or her life for the better, their end result may end up being one of frustration, embarrassment, shame, or even anger.
That’s why there must be clear and concise preoperative communication between the patient and surgeon so that realistic outcome goals are established.
Plastic Surgery Improves Quality of Life
It’s pretty clear that, if done correctly and working from realistic expectations, plastic surgery improves quality of life. It can allow patients to feel empowered and confident.
What’s more, it may even allow patients to reclaim their body that was taken from them due to injury, illness, or pregnancy.
So if you’re considering plastic surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll take the necessary time to discuss your personal goals and expectations to ensure the best experience possible.
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!
The Lowdown on Scar Revision
If you’re an adult and you’ve lived life at all, chances are you have a scar. It’s the body’s way of healing after an injury, infection, inflammation, or surgery.
A scar consists of fibrous tissue that can be anywhere on the body. It might be flat, sunken, colored, or lumpy.
Someone with a flat and colorless scar in an obscure place may not think much about it. But for others with more obvious scars that cause them embarrassment, there is scar revision.
What Is Scar Revision?
Just as the name implies, scar revision is a procedure performed to alter the appearance of an unsightly scar, return function to a restrictive scar, or improve an itch or painful scar.
Depending on the type of scar, there are numerous approaches to scar revision:
Topical
Topical treatments are the least invasive approach. They’re usually the first go-to because of their simplicity.
Physicians may recommend OTC topical anesthetic ointments, antihistamine creams, or corticosteroids to encourage healing reduce any itchiness and discomfort. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a stronger corticosteroid cream for newer scars that are still pink and in the process of healing. This can combat excessive scar formation.
Another option that’s been used for decades is silicone. Used in sheet form, silicone is effective for treating scars from burns, surgery, or other more severe injuries that require hospital treatment. There are now silicone gels that can be applied to create a thin sheet within 4-5 minutes.
Injections
When a scar is raised, thick, and red, stronger interventions are usually required. Multiple small corticosteroid injections are made into the scar to reduce pain, itching, and redness from inflammation. Injections are typically given over several months at 4-6 week intervals.
Meanwhile, depressed scars are usually treated with filler injections. These may contain collagen and synthetic agents that are injected into or under the scar tissue. Filler injections are not permanent, however, So they need to be repeated every few years.
Surface Treatments
There are a wide variety of skin resurfacing treatments. They involve removing the top layer of damaged skin so new skin layers can form.
With dermabrasion, the skin layer is manually removed using a rapidly rotating device. This technique is ideal for minimizing skin lines, age spots, acne scars, and sun damage.
Acne scars and sun damage can also be treated with chemical peels. They’re also effective in treating wrinkles and melasma.
To flatten and soften scars, laser therapy involves pulsating concentrated beams of light at irregular skin in a targeted area. It also helps improve discoloration and tightens the skin to give it a younger-looking appearance.
Other surface treatments include skin bleaching (topical creams that lighten skin) and vascular laser treatment reduces the redness of scars with blood vessels.
Surgery
When it comes to changing the position and shape of scars, surgery can do the trick. It can also release a tight scar to improve movement. In the cases of scar excision and revision, scar tissue is removed, and a flap of adjacent skin reforms the area.
If there is no flap available, or if the scar being removed is very large, a skin graft is taken from a cosmetically less important area of the body to reform the area.
The Z-plasty method moves a scar into a natural crease or fold to minimize its visibility. In addition, tissue expanders can create healthy stretched skin by placing expandable silicone implants under the skin. The skin is then used to replace the excised scar tissue.
You Don’t Have to Live With Scars
There is a wealth of scar revision options.
So if you’re interested in lessening the appearance of (or getting rid of altogether) your scar, contact us today to set up a free consultation.
You’ll have the chance to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will guide you through the best treatment options for your situation.
What to Expect: Healing After Breast Implant Removal
If you had a breast implant in the past, there are many reasons you may be opting for breast implant removal. That’s nobody’s business but your own.
When an implant is removed, it’s known as explant surgery. And yes, it is surgery. So just as with any surgery, that means you can expect recovery time.
Obviously, every patient is different and there’s no one story that applies to all. There are some basics you can expect though.
The Basics for Recovering from Breast Implant Removal
You had implant surgery so you could use that as a baseline for your explant surgery. However, if your surgery was a long time ago, you may not feel comfortable relying on that.
Plan to spend the first several days recovering at home. It is essential during this period to avoid any excessive pulling or stretching of the area. Your incisions cannot be exposed to abrasion of any kind, so ditch the loofah. And don’t plan to hit the nudist beach for tanning. The incisions cannot be in direct sunlight either.
Compression garments will also be vital. These may seem like an inconvenience, but in the long run, they accelerate the healing process by managing swelling and bruising and promoting blood circulation. These garments are surprisingly comfortable. They do a stellar job at reducing postoperative discomfort. So regard them as supportive friends.
On average, you can expect to return to work in one week, unless you have a job that requires strenuous movement or lifting anything over ten pounds. (This includes children.) It’s important to give yourself extra time if that’s the case.
Further Explant Surgery Recovery Tips
Eating well and staying hydrated is always the rule of thumb. Abiding by your board-certified surgeon’s directions and attending follow-up appointments is also key. But there are a few other things you may not have considered.
Any time you’re healing from breast surgery (of any kind), you need to avoid using your upper body and chest muscles. You’ll need to wait at least four weeks to return to any exercise that uses these. Consider consulting a physical therapist who can design a post-op program that allows you to safely adapt to your new chest contour.
And speaking of adapting, any change to your appearance is going to require some adjusting. Having breast explant surgery can be particularly emotional. This may not be the case at all for you. Just in case you find yourself mentally struggling though, it’s a good idea to reach out to compassionate friends and family members ahead of the procedure to let them know you may need their support. Furthermore, you could also speak with a therapist.
At the end of the day, listening to your body is always the best practice so if you’re feeling that you need more time to rest and recover, honor that. You don’t want to end up with complications because you jumped the gun.
Wrestling With the Idea of Explant Surgery?
The decision to do breast implant removal is an important one and not to be taken lightly.
If you’re debating about whether this procedure might be right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our compassionate and board-certified plastic surgeons.
We will always have your back. (And front.)
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.
Pioneers In Plastic Surgery – Thomas Pomfret Kilner
In the overarching field of medicine, plastic surgery is certainly among the youngest. At least in its current incarnation.
Yes, there were rudimentary plastic surgery procedures performed as far back as ancient Egypt times. But you can bet they didn’t look anything like today’s modern procedures.
It took a group of trail-blazing physicians practicing in the early 1900s to create the foundation for plastic surgery as we know it today. Thomas Pomfret Kilner was among this esteemed group.
Who Was Thomas Pomfret Kilner?
Kilner was born on September 17th in 1890 and was the son of a grammar school master. Always a good student, Kilner would go on to study at Manchester University where he was awarded medals in anatomy and physiology.
By 1912, at the ripe age of 22, he had won distinctions in pathology and surgery. He served as a demonstrator of anatomy from 1912 to 1914 and was a senior house surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
As he continued his studies and teaching, he had his sights set on joining a doctor in general practice. But World War I changed his trajectory.
Practicing Medicine During WWI
Kilner’s plans shifted when he was enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) where he eventually became a captain. He served four years helping injured men and women and by the end of the war in 1918, he was in charge of an orthopedic unit that specialized in fractured femurs.
Wondering what his next step would be, he was serendipitously advised to meet with Major Harold Gillies about a new hospital unit in Sidcup, England. Gillies was already gaining steam as one of the premier practitioners in a burgeoning specialty known as plastic surgery.
Kilner hadn’t heard of this new modality, but he was interested. And it wasn’t long before he was appointed plastic surgeon to Queen Mary’s Hospital for Face and Jaw Injuries. And while he would later become a consulting plastic surgeon for many hospitals, it took determination and commitment to get there.
Turning Plastic Surgery Into a Thriving Specialty
In 1921, Kilner and Gillies were the only plastic surgeons in the United Kingdom. They were taken by all the promise this new field offered to so many people.
They would visit provincial surgeons who shared this same interest in order to educate them. Over time, their technical know-how and teamwork inspired many other surgeons to shift to this new specialty. And within a decade, he and Gillies had established plastic surgery in the U.K.
In 1931, Kilner was part of the staff of St Andrews’ Hospital where there were two wards and an operating theater devoted wholly to plastic surgery. He worked there up through WWII collaborating with another doctor to perfect the operation for palate repair that was originally designed by Victor Veau. His interest in congenital deformities led him to study speech therapy and he would eventually be elected a Governor of the Central School of Speech Therapy and of Moor House Residential School.
Throughout the second world war, Kilner remained active in fostering plastic surgery. During this time, he developed the Bunyan-Stannard envelope for the treatment of burns. And in 1935, he was a college professor lecturing on the transplantation of skin.
It’s safe to say he made a real difference.
In 1939, only three London teaching hospitals had plastic surgeons on staff. But by the time of Kilner’s death in 1964, there was hardly a teaching hospital in all of the British Isles that didn’t have consultant surgeons in plastic surgery.
See What Plastic Surgery Can Do for You
Today’s plastic surgeons are indebted to pioneers like Thomas Pomfret Kilner who helped to make the field what it is today.
If he could see what a difference a century has made, he’d be thrilled.
So if you’re interested in the myriad ways modern plastic surgery can improve your life, contact us today! You may be pleasantly surprised.
Insist On AAAHC Accreditation for Your Plastic Surgery
When you opt to have an in-office surgical procedure, you want to be sure you’re getting the best care from your board-certified surgeon. That’s a given.
You may not give much thought to the office-based anesthesia accreditation organization of the clinic or facility where you’re having the procedure though. You may just assume your location is accredited. And if so, there’s just one organization.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. That’s why it’s important you look for AAAHC Accreditation for your plastic surgery.
Office-Based Anesthesia Accreditation Varies
According to the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), there are three different accreditation organizations. JCAHO (the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations), AAAHC (the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), and AAAASF (the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities).
All three organizations have received “deemed” status from Medicare. For the purposes of this blog, we’ll be looking at AAAHC and AAAASF specifically.
Why You Want AAAHC Accreditation for Your Plastic Surgery
First of all, you’ll want to ensure that your in-office clinic or facility actually has accreditation. It turns out that many do not.
Once you establish that your site does, it’s important to consider that not all accreditation organizations are created equal. AAAHC holds higher standards and offers more meticulous oversight than AAAASF.
Standards Addressed Through AAAHC
For example, the issues of State Licensure, Distinct Entity, Review of Patient Satisfaction, Cost of Care Reviews, Report Carding, Professional continuing education, and Immediate pre-procedure assessment by MD are all addressed in the standards for AAAHC, but not for AAAASF.
The standard of Pre-discharge evaluation by physician is also addressed clearly with AAAHC, but with AAAASF, it is more vague.
In terms of Documentation, Physical plant, Assessment of Patients, Continuity of Care, Safety, Medical Records, Confidentiality, Peer Review, Quality Improvement, and Risk Management, AAAASF receives a “good” rating for Safety, “fair” for Medical Records and Peer Review, and a “weak” rating for all of the others. Risk Management is not even addressed.
By comparison, AAAHC receives a “good” rating for Medical Records, and “strong” to “very strong” ratings for everything else, including Risk Management.
In addition, AAAHC requires a board-certified doctor to perform anesthesia, while AAAASF requires only a nurse anesthetist.
Finally, a reappraisal of medical staff is performed annually through AAAASF, but biannually with AAAHC. So it seems that the choice is pretty clear.
You Deserve the Best!
The decision to have plastic surgery is not one most patients make without careful consideration. So if you’re ready to take the leap, then contact us today.
We insist on only board-certified surgeons and AAAHC accreditation for your plastic surgery. We will not settle for less.
And neither should you.
