Restoring Function and Confidence Through Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery is a vital step in restoring both physical function and personal confidence in patients who’ve been impacted by trauma, disease or congenital conditions. Through the repair and/or reconstruction of affected areas of the body, reconstructive surgery has the power to not just heal, but also rebuild and revitalize a patient’s ability to live their daily lives with greater ease and self-esteem.
In this blog, we’ll explore what reconstructive surgery is, some common examples of procedures, and the benefits to both body and mind it can provide.
What Is Reconstructive Surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is focused on restoring your normal appearance and function after an injury or disease or to correct birth defects. The goal of this type of surgery is to improve body function and to create a more normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is medically necessary surgery, and is usually covered by insurance.
Common Reconstructive Surgery Procedures
Facial Reconstruction
People seeking these types of surgeries may be motivated by a desire to reconstruct their face after an injury, disease or birth defect. Or they may want to reverse the signs of aging, remove contour irregularities or deformities, or make the features of the face appear natural and in proportion with one another. We offer a full range of services and will discuss all options with you before deciding together what best suits you.
Reconstructive Breast Surgeries
There are several types of breast surgeries that are considered reconstructive – breast reduction, breast reconstruction, and top surgery. Breast reduction surgery helps women who have disproportionately large breasts for their bodies, which causes pain in their shoulders and back. Breast reconstruction is surgery done after a woman has a mastectomy or lumpectomy, typically due to breast cancer or being diagnosed with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Top surgery is gender-affirming care provided to transitioning patients. Depending on the insurance plan a patient has, this may be covered by insurance as a reconstructive surgery.
Panniculectomy
The most common reconstructive surgery to the midsection or torso is a panniculectomy. This is a surgery to remove excess skin (called a panniculus) that hangs down over the patient’s groin, typically after significant weight loss. A panniculectomy is not a tummy tuck; there is no muscle tightening or contouring done. It’s very specifically the removal of excess skin that has caused medical problems such as skin breakdowns, rashes, and infections.
Body Reconstructive Microsurgery
Reconstructive microsurgery is a surgical discipline in which specialized operating microscopes and precision instrumentation are used to repair intricate structures such as blood vessels and nerves less than a few millimeters in diameter. Microsurgery is used to reconstruct delicate areas such as the hand and/or fingers after trauma. We also use this skill to repair areas with lost tissue from accidents or cancer removal and even something as severe as a reattachment after loss of a limb or finger(s). This allows us to restore both form and function in our best-case scenarios when used with other surgical skills.
Tissue Expansion
This is a relatively straightforward procedure that enables the body to “grow” extra skin for use in reconstructing almost any part of the body. Tissue expanders are temporary implants that are inserted beneath the skin and gradually filled with saline solution over the course of several weeks. This stretching of the skin creates new skin growth, which can then be used for reconstructive surgery. Tissue expansion is often used for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, as well as for correcting scars, burns and other skin defects.
Body Reconstructive Cancer Surgery
Removing cancerous tumors and tissue is a critical component of cancer care. Sometimes, a large defect is left behind after removing the cancer. Plastic surgeons can perform a flap surgery to close the wound left behind. This can be the case with any cancer but is more common with breast cancer reconstructive surgery.
Congenital Anomalies
A congenital anomaly is a medically diagnosed condition present at or from birth that significantly deviates from the common structure or function of the body, whether caused by a hereditary or developmental disability or disease. Common congenital anomalies include congenital heart defects, congenital limb deficiencies, cleft lip and palate, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for congenital anomalies. Treatment options will vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct the anomaly. For example, surgery may be used to repair a congenital heart defect or to correct a cleft lip or palate.
Skin Reconstruction
Reconstructive skin surgery is a very common form of treatment. Some types of skin surgeries are: major and minor burns, lesion and mole removal-including skin cancer, birthmarks and scar revisions from previous injury or surgeries. These may not all require surgery as there are several options for non-surgical treatments as well.
Trauma Reconstruction
Accidents are the number one cause of trauma that requires surgical intervention. Head and neck trauma can be caused by car accidents, dog bites and other unexpected injuries. Trunk and lower extremity trauma can include injuries from falls off of ladders, high machinery or roofs. Motorcycles are another common source of trauma, as they often involve things like gravel and loss of skin or broken bones. Explosions from tires, factory machinery and combustibles like fireworks are a few more traumas that can injure the trunk and legs, causing possible burns, cuts or muscle defects.
The Benefits of Reconstructive Surgery
One of the primary goals of reconstructive surgery is to restore function. For many patients, this means regaining the ability to perform basic daily tasks, which is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life. Reconstructive surgery can enhance mobility by repairing damaged muscles, tendons and joints; improving sensation in nerves to improve touch and balance; and restoring vital functions like the ability to speak clearly, eat comfortably, and breathe properly.
Beyond the restoration of function, reconstructive surgery plays a crucial role in enhancing psychological well-being. The restoration of appearance and function can have profound effects on a patient’s self-confidence and mental health by boosting self-esteem through the repair of defects or scars, restoring normalcy to a patient’s daily life, and encouraging social interaction by reducing feelings of isolation or stigmatization.
A Path To a More Fulfilling Life
In short, for those facing challenges due to physical deformities or functional limitations, reconstructive surgery offers hope and a path to a more fulfilling life. Through its transformative potential, it not only heals the body but also mends the spirit, enabling patients to move forward with renewed strength and confidence.
