Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery involves the reconstruction of facial and body tissue defects due to illness, trauma or birth disorders. Plastic surgery restores and improves function, as well as appearance, and can involve surgery on any part of the anatomy, except the central nervous system.

Crozer Health offers both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery services.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct facial and body abnormalities caused by birth defects, trauma, disease, or aging.

Usually, the goal of reconstructive plastic surgery is to improve body function. However, reconstructive plastic surgery may also be performed to create a more normal appearance and improve self-esteem (this may also be called cosmetic surgery). Abnormal structures of the body may result from the following:

• Trauma
• Infection
• Developmental abnormalities
• Congenital (present at birth) anomalies
• Disease
• Tumors

Plastic Surgery to Treat Burns

Our goal is to improve both the function and the cosmetic appearance of burn scars. Reconstructive burn surgery involves altering scar tissue, with both non-operative and operative treatment. 

Benefits of Reconstructive Burn Surgery

Surgery will not be able to remove burn scars entirely, but it can help improve appearance and basic functions. Scarring can limit the normal motion, particularly in areas around a patients’ neck, shoulder, hands, or legs. Often surgery can help improve and regain range of motion.

Facial scarring that leads to problems with the eyelids, lips, nose, or hair loss can also be helped with reconstructive burn surgery. Scars that are especially thick, wide, or discolored might also be improved by a variety of operative and non-operative methods.

Options for Reconstructive Burn Treatment

There are many options for patients, your physician will work with you to develop a plan for your specific needs. Most procedures are performed in an outpatient setting.

Non-operative therapies might involve scar massage, application of pressure garments, or other topical therapies. Our occupational therapists can help fit patients with pressure garments.

Surgical options consist mainly of scar release procedures. The tight scar tissue is released and the open area closed by a plastic surgeon.

Visit our scar revision page to learn more about treatment options. 

Having Reconstructive Burn Treatment

The first step to having reconstructive burn treatment is scheduling a personal consultation with a plastic surgeon. Communication is crucial in reaching your goals -- you will explain the results you'd like to see from therapy, and your surgeon will explain what is possible and what treatment is best for your particular case. Every patient is different, and your surgeon will prepare a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific need During the initial consultation, you should expect:

• To provide a complete medical history, including information about previous surgical procedures; past and present medical conditions; and any medications or herbal supplements you are taking
• A complete physical examination
• To discuss possible risks and complications of the procedure­­­

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on preoperative skin cleansing, eating, drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.

After Procedures or Surgery

Following post-surgery instructions are important to heal and obtain the best possible results. You will have follow-up appointments so your surgeon can assess your long-term results and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Since a variety of procedures can be performed, your individual postoperative instructions may vary. In general, follow-up visits are scheduled within two weeks of surgery, and there may be stitches to remove at that time. Additional physical therapy or occupational therapy may be required in the weeks and months following surgery to ensure a complete recovery of function. This may involve splints or casts, as well as exercises you perform at your treatment visits and in your own home. Your treatment team will work together to develop the plan that is best for you

Breast Reconstruction

With advances in breast reconstruction surgery, many women undergoing breast removal (mastectomy) choose to have their breast(s) rebuilt. Breast reconstruction involves creating a breast mound that comes as close as possible to the form and appearance of the natural breast.

The goal of reconstructive surgery is to create a breast mound that matches the opposite breast and to achieve symmetry. If both breasts have been removed, the goal of breast reconstructive surgery is to create both breast mounds about the size of the patient's natural breasts.

Learn more about breast cancer.

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed in order to change one's appearance. For some, it may mean redesigning the body's contour and shape, the elimination of wrinkles, or eliminating balding areas. Others may choose varicose vein treatment or breast augmentation. There are a number of cosmetic surgery procedures that men and women can choose from in order to create an image that makes them feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance.

Some of the most common minimally-invasive and invasive cosmetic procedures include:

• Botox injections
• Breast augmentation or enlargement
• Breast lift
• Brow lift
• Buttock lift
• Cellulite treatment
• Chemical peel
• Chin, cheek or jaw reshaping
• Collagen injections
• Eyelid lift
• Facelift
• Hair restoration or transplantation
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Laser treatment of leg veins
• Lip augmentation
• Liposuction
• Lower body lift
• Microdermabrasion
• Nose reshaping
• Thigh lift
• Tummy tuck
• Upper arm lift