tram flap

Happy Holidays from the Atlanta Plastic Surgery Family

/ , / , , , , /

For over 50 years, Atlanta Plastic Surgery has been recognized as one of the Southeast’s premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery centers. Every year, we make a point to look back on what we’ve accomplished, who we’ve helped, and how we can make our services even better moving forward. With things slowing down a bit during the holiday season, we think it’s important to pause and reflect on what we do. And every year, we’re reminded of how truly grateful we are to have such wonderful patients.

plastic surgery, educational, breast reconstruction, facial rejuvenation, TRAM flapWhether you come to Atlanta Plastic Surgery to have breast reconstruction after breast-cancer treatment or merely to alleviate some signs of aging with <nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures, we cannot express how inspired we are by your support. We’re always committed to achieving the best plastic surgery results, but reflecting on the support of our patients during this time of year makes us realize how fortunate we are. We feel a renewed sense of gratitude and responsibility, and we’re reminded why we’ve always gone above and beyond in everything we do—from helping people look their best, to providing the most outstanding customer service possible, to helping educate readers with this blog.

We’re proud of the skill, commitment, and kindness our surgeons have demonstrated this year, and we’re looking forward to bringing those qualities into the upcoming decade and beyond. Atlanta Plastic Surgery has a strong track record of innovation. Cofounder Dr. Carl Hartrampf was a pioneer in the development of the revolutionary TRAM flap breast reconstruction technique, and many have benefited from this surgery. Additionally, our current team is responsible for a whole host of research and clinical contributions and has continued to incorporate the most advanced technology and techniques into the services we provide, and we’re excited to continue pursuing excellence as we end this year and begin a new one. Our surgeons have positively impacted countless people’s lives, and their dedication and work will continue to do so indefinitely. We couldn’t be prouder.

Everyone at Atlanta Plastic Surgery would like to wish our patients and readers a restful, peaceful, and love-filled holiday season, as well as a happy and fruitful new year. Let us take what we’ve learned and make 2020 even better than this fantastic year has been!

If you’re interested in any of the many plastic surgery procedures we perform, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation today. In addition to discussing your prospective procedure, we can go over our available financing options for plastic surgery with you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.

What’s in Store at the 2019 Annual Breast Surgery Symposium

/ , , / , , , , /

Last year, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C., had the honor of celebrating our 50th year as the premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery center in the southeastern United States. Since our founding in 1968, we’ve strived to provide the absolute best in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, establishing strong, lasting relationships with our patients and setting the highest standards for patient care. Our ongoing goal is not only to consistently achieve seamless, natural-looking results for our patients, but also to continue to make substantial contributions to the ever-evolving field of plastic surgery. The world-renowned plastic surgeons with whom we partner go above and beyond in performing clinical work and fostering innovation. In a continuation of our surgeons’ professional efforts, we’re pleased to announce our participation in this year’s 35th Annual Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium.

Atlanta Night Traffic Blur (smaller)The Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium was originally established by Dr. Carl Hartrampf, a co-founder of Atlanta Plastic Surgery and breast reconstruction pioneer. The event has become internationally known in the plastic surgery community, hosting some of the most innovative and renowned plastic surgeons in the world. Members of our team will be among the hundreds of breast surgery experts in attendance, and playing important roles in the three-day event will be Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s own Dr. James Namnoum (symposium co-chair) and Dr. L. Franklyn Elliott (symposium emeritus chair), both of whom will be moderating panel discussions and presenting on important topics.

The title and central topic of this year’s program will be “How to Achieve Good Results After Common Complications.” The plastic surgery professionals in attendance will have the opportunity to learn from panel discussions on a wide range of topics, including breast enhancement and reconstruction procedures, transgender breast surgery, fat transfer, types of breast implants & other technologies, doctor-patient communication, surgical safety, and more. This year, the program promises to address current perspectives on emerging issues in the plastic surgery community, as well as strategies for enhancing and expanding surgical techniques.

Every year, some of plastic surgery’s leading experts perform live surgical demonstrations at the Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium. Like last year, these demonstrations will be performed at Northside Hospital and streamed live to the attendees at The Intercontinental Hotel and viewers around the world. As part of this year’s live telecasts, surgeons will perform transgender breast augmentation, “double bubble” correction after prior breast augmentation, and breast reconstruction with autologous mastectomy flaps & contralateral breast reduction. During these procedures, physicians observing remotely will be able to submit questions directly to the attending faculty to be answered in real time. For more information on this year’s Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium, including a full program of the weekend’s events, visit their website at www.sesprs.org.

At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we’re dedicated to ensuring that our surgeons are always operating from an up-to-date knowledgebase and using the safest, most effective techniques. Moreover, we take pride in the fact that our plastic surgeons consistently make meaningful contributions to the plastic surgery field as a whole. If you’re interested in any of the plastic surgery procedures we offer, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery locations to schedule a consultation today. There, in addition to discussing your prospective procedure, we can go over our available financing options with you, and in some cases, even offer simulations on what you may look like after your procedure. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates and to check back soon for a new blog.

Which Type of Breast Reconstruction is Best for You?

/ , , , , / , , , , , , , /

At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we offer all kinds of reconstructive procedures, and breast reconstruction surgery is one of our most common for women who have endured breast cancer. Reconstructive surgery is about more than getting your old body back—it’s about rejecting the toll, both physical and emotional, that something like a mastectomy can take. There are many types of breast reconstruction surgery, but two of the most common are implant reconstruction and autologous, or “flap,” reconstruction. A decision between these two methods will likely come down to your own goals for your body, your unique situation, and how much time you’re willing to spend in surgery and recovery.

Which Type of Breast Reconstruction is Best for You?Autologous surgery

Autologous or “flap” breast reconstruction surgery involves transplanting tissue from a donor site (the part of the patient’s body chosen to provide tissue for new breasts) to the chest, where it’s molded into the shape of a breast and set into place. Although this procedure requires two incisions and is therefore more time-intensive, the results typically last for the rest of the patient’s lifetime.

The most common donor sites are the back, belly, buttocks, and inner-thighs. There are several subcategories of autologous reconstruction, but some of the most common are DIEP flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and TRAM flap, all of which are offered at Atlanta Plastic Surgery.

Women who have had single mastectomies (only one breast removed) may prefer autologous surgery over implant surgery, as artificial implants are not as easily shaped to recreate the fall and shape of a patient’s remaining natural breast. Autologous surgeries can differ from one another in several ways, but your surgeon will use his or her experience and expertise, as well as your distinct circumstances and wishes, to decide what’s best for you.

Implant surgery

During implant reconstruction surgery, your surgeon uses a saline or silicone implant to reconstruct the breast mound, much like he or she would during traditional breast augmentation surgery. Unlike autologous surgery, no donor site is required. The use of an implant eliminates the need to transplant tissue from one part of your body to another. However, the same qualities that make implant surgery a shorter, simpler procedure also contribute to some of its potential drawbacks for some considering this option.

Although artificial implants can look effectively natural, some patients prefer the look and feel of tissue from their own bodies. Implant surgery can sometimes be a better choice for thinner patients, as slimmer women typically don’t have as much excess tissue to transplant. Double mastectomy patients (women who have had both breasts removed) may opt for implant reconstruction surgery to eliminate concerns of breast asymmetry. Single mastectomy patients with little-to-no sag on their remaining breasts may also prefer this option.

Artificial implants can last for decades, but most manufacturers recommend that they be replaced every 10­–20 years. If you’re concerned about the amount of time you’ll be spending in waiting rooms and on operating tables, this factor may help you make your decision.

If you’re looking to have reconstructive surgery in Atlanta, GA, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

/ , , , , / , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /

Since 1968, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. has been recognized throughout the medical community as one of the premier centers for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in the Southeast, and from the very beginning one of our primary areas of specialization has been breast reconstruction.  Dr. Carl R. Hartrampf, one of the original co-founders of our practice, developed the TRAM flap method, which was first performed in 1982 and is still regarded as the standard of care for creating natural appearing breasts and improved abdominal contours.  He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium, an educational conference that is still co-hosted by Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. each year allowing plastic and reconstructive surgeons from around the globe to gather and discuss the latest issues and developments in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery.  Because we are honored to have had the opportunity to work so closely with women recovering from breast cancer over the years, all of the Atlanta Plastic Surgery doctors: Philip H. Beegle Jr., M.D., L. Franklyn Elliott, M.D., Fernando D. Burstein, M.D., James D. Namnoum, M.D., Joseph Kerwin Williams, M.D., and Allyson B. Maske, M.D., would like to remind everyone that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

FOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Monthounded originally in 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is now an international health campaign that aims to increase awareness of the disease and to help raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.  Studies conducted by the National Breast Cancer Foundation have found that as many as one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women.  Early detection and treatment, often followed by breast reconstruction surgery, make it possible for most of those afflicted with the disease to go on to live normal lives, but unfortunately many women neglect to take the necessary steps to detect the disease in its early stages.  This is why one of the primary goals of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.  Although current research does suggest that regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, a mammogram, or X-ray picture of the breast, is regarded as the most effective method of early detection and can sometimes detect early signs of breast cancer up to three years before they can be felt.

The American Cancer Society recommends women undergo clinical breast examinations every three years beginning at the age of twenty, and yearly mammograms upon reaching forty.  A very small number of women (less than 2%) should also be screened with MRIs because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors.  Talk with a doctor about your history and whether you should have other tests or start testing at an earlier age.  Successful screening largely depends upon noticing changes over the course of time, so it is often beneficial to have a mammogram performed before undergoing breast augmentation, as the introduction of breast implants can obviously change the architecture of the breasts and may make simple scanning tests less reliable.

If you have additional questions about breast reconstruction or are interested in any of the breast or body contouring plastic surgery procedures that we perform at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, viewing before and after pictures, or in learning more about the many insurance and financing options that we can provide in order to assist you, please feel free to contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery in Alpharetta or at one of our other Atlanta area offices located in Sandy Springs (Northside), Newnan, or Cumming, to schedule a full consultation.

TRAM Breast Reconstruction Option for Post-Mastectomy Patients

/ , , / , , , , , , , , /

After conquering a mastectomy to remove one or both breasts in order to treat breast cancer, many patients often elect to have breast reconstruction surgery in order to rebuild breasts and restore body confidence. At Atlanta Plastic Surgery we offer several breast reconstruction methods to best fit our patients’ needs.

tram flap breast reconstructionDuring your breast reconstruction consultation, we will get a full medical history, discuss your available options and answer your questions about the different reconstructive options available. It is important to remember to fully discuss why you wish to have the surgery and review your cosmetic goals with one of our plastic surgeons. This will ensure that your expectations are in line with what our surgeons can realistically provide you with.  In addition, there are many factors used to determine if a patient is a good candidate for breast reconstruction, including overall health, smoking, variety of breast cancer treatment, and previous surgical history.

The founder of Atlanta Plastic Surgery, Dr. Carl Hartampf Jr., is known for his significant contributions to one of the most popular techniques for natural breast tissue reconstruction, the TRAM flap operation. There are two types of TRAM flap procedures, each providing an end result of shaping a new breast(s) from tissue from your own body. The pedicled TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap) procedure uses tissue from the torso, including abdominal fat, muscle, and skin, to form a new breast(s). The difference between this and the free TRAM method is that the pedicled TRAM flap maintains connection to blood vessels within the abdomen, whereas free TRAM separates the donor tissue completely,  and reconnects the blood supply once the tissue has been repositioned.

If a patient does not have enough donor tissue, building new breasts by inserting a saline or silicone implant under the skin or underneath the chest muscle is another option. Determined by volume of saline or silicone within the implant shell, implant size is tailored to fit each patient’s total physical appearance and desire.

Don’t be afraid to ask essential questions about your recovery period regarding medication, follow-ups, and any other care concerns. At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we are here to help you find the best option for your breast reconstruction surgery. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest in breast reconstruction surgery news and procedures.

1 2