For some medical conditions, getting treatment is not the last step in your journey. Whether you’ve conquered cancer, recovered from a major injury or achieved dramatic weight loss, plastic and reconstructive surgery can provide the final touch you need to feel like you again. Our highly skilled care team has the experience and proven results you can trust, backed by the reputation of high quality and safe care at our surgery centers right here in the Lowcountry.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction helps rebuild the shape and appearance of the breast after a mastectomy (breast removal surgery) or other injury. It’s often part of treatment for breast cancer or congenital breast abnormalities. When a plastic surgeon joins your team of doctors, you’ll be well-informed about all your options and important considerations when deciding whether a breast reconstruction surgery is right for you. Procedures include:
- Implant reconstruction. A saline or silicone implant is used to recreate the natural shape of your breast and is placed under the chest muscle or breast tissue. A tissue expander procedure may be used to prepare the breast for the implant.
- Flap reconstruction. Tissue is repurposed from other parts of your body to rebuild the breast. This can feel more natural to the patient and even allows the reconstructed breast to adapt to changes along with the rest of your body. There are several types of reconstructive flap techniques, such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap procedure which uses abdominal tissues to reconstruct your breast while preserving the muscle in your abdomen. When considering flap reconstruction, you’ll meet with your surgeon to discuss your specific case and which procedures may be appropriate for you.
Breast reduction or breast lift
Other reconstructive breast surgeries may be appropriate for someone experiencing pain or other physical symptoms. Our skilled plastic surgeons will use advanced techniques to restore the shape and balance of your breast to help you feel confident in your own skin.
- Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) helps alleviate pain or mobility issues caused by large breasts. Treatable health conditions include back, neck, and shoulder pain, skin irritation (rashes under the breasts), posture issues, chronic discomfort or difficulty with physical activities. This procedure removes excess breast tissue and may also reduce or reposition the nipple and areola.
- Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) raises and reshapes breasts to their natural position and firmness. This procedure may be needed after significant weight loss, breast cancer surgery, or other trauma to improve comfort and body function, not just appearance.
Skin tightening and body contouring
After significant weight loss or recovering from surgeries or other wounds, excess skin can be left behind, making it difficult for to feel comfortable in your own body. Loose skin that has lost its elasticity can result in discomfort or other medical issues such as skin infections or mobility issues. Skin tightening and body contouring plastic surgery helps remove this excess skin to reshape and firm the body, improving both physical appearance and function.
Surgical body contouring procedures include panniculectomy of the lower abdomen and “lift” procedures such as brachioplasty (arm lift) or thighplasty (thigh lift).
Tissue restoration
Plastic surgery to restore tissue may be appropriate for patients who have experienced severe wounds, disfiguring scars, or other injuries. Wound reconstructive surgery restores the function and appearance of skin and muscle in the affected part of the body. Procedures include skin grafting, flap surgery and scar revision surgery.
Lymphedema treatment
Lymphedema is excess fluid in the tissues that can cause swelling, usually in the arms or legs due to damage to the lymphatic system. Surgical procedures such as lymphovenous bypass can help manage and reduce this swelling and prevent further complications. Lymphedema surgery is carefully coordinated with your entire care plan including any other medical treatments and symptom management.