Adult Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Over the course of the last fifty years, we’ve seen attitudes towards plastic surgery change a great deal. Things that were once seldom spoken about in public, like facelifts and breast augmentations, have long since become virtual household words and today almost all men and women are familiar with the many different things that cosmetic plastic surgery procedures can accomplish. However, many people forget that the board certified plastic surgeons at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. can perform medically necessary reconstructive plastic surgery procedures as well. In fact, according to statistics compiled annually by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), last year reconstructive plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States outnumbered cosmetic procedures by more than three to one. There are almost as many different reconstructive plastic surgery procedures as there are individual parts of the body, but two of the most well-known are adult cleft palate repair and breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.
Adult Cleft Palate Repair and Nasal Reconstruction
When the two sides of the face fail to completely and properly fuse between the 6th and 11th weeks of fetal development, the result can be a cleft, or gap, in the roof of the mouth and/or upper lip. Because cleft lips and cleft palates can potentially interfere with eating, speaking, and even breathing they are almost always corrected surgically within the first few months of life, and as the child grows additional surgical procedures are required to account for the changing facial anatomy. However, cleft lips and palates can also leave long-lasting side effects. Specifically, such a separation can affect the nose, causing a deviated septum which can affect breathing and cause congestion problems, sleep apnea, chronic headaches, and recurrent nasal infections. Reconstructive rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, and adult cleft palate repair can correct the underlying problems and restore function while simultaneously improving aesthetic appearance.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
According to the American Cancer Society, at least one in every eight women is likely to develop breast cancer at some point in their life. For many of these women, treatment may involve a mastectomy, or the surgical removal of one or both breasts, and although it is not a necessity, most women who have undergone this procedure also choose to undergo surgical breast reconstruction to help them regain a sense of normalcy. There are several different approaches to breast reconstruction, ranging from the use of traditional breast implants to procedures that utilize the patient’s own fat, skin, and tissue taken from other areas of the body to reconstruct the breast. Regardless of the surgical approach chosen, the goal is to rebuild a natural-looking breast mound that closely mimics the appearance of the original.
Ever since it was founded in 1968, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. has been recognized as one of the leading cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery centers in the southeast. Over the years, we have continued to explore new techniques and technology so that we can continue to provide our patients with the most effective and advanced options. If you are interested in learning more about any of the plastic surgery procedures we perform, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Philip Beegle, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, Dr. Fernando Burstein, Dr. James Namnoum, Dr. Joseph Kerwin Williams, or Dr. Allyson Maske. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.
