Improving Quality of Life Through Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

People often think of plastic surgery as a way to enhance a person’s beauty. They are not often aware that a common form of plastic surgery is reconstructive in nature. This type of surgery aims to help people regain the form or function of their body and improve their quality of life.

Reconstructive plastic surgery can be done on almost any part of the body, except for the brain and spinal cord. Some common areas include:

• Skin – remove scars or birthmarks and treat burns.
• Face – repair facial fractures and improve peripheral vision.
• Body – reconstruct areas of the body such as breasts, eyelids or ears

Plastic Surgery Can Improve Quality of Life in Several Ways:

Ease Pain and Discomfort

Many injuries or health issues can cause ongoing pain, and surgery can help provide relief.

• Scar Revision – Burns or serious injuries can develop into scars that cause discomfort and restrictive movement. Plastic surgery can help make scars softer, flatter or smoother, reduce skin tension and improve movement.
• Breast Reduction – Individuals with large breasts often suffer from rashes under the breasts and ongoing pain in their back, neck and shoulders because of the weight. Breast reduction surgery can relieve these issues by removing part of the breast tissue and reshaping the breasts. This can improve posture and reduce strain on the spine.

Restore Mobility and Functionality

Reconstructive plastic surgery can restore and improve function in areas of the body needed for basic tasks like walking, breathing and using your hands.

• Aging Conditions – Ear irregularities such as constricted or lop ear, or blurred vision due to sagging skin around the eyes, can be amended with surgery to help prevent long-term health issues as well as improve function and appearance.
• Post-Trauma and Injury Repairs – Plastic surgery is often performed to repair damage caused by accidents or trauma-related injuries. For instance, burn reconstruction surgery relieves skin tightness and improves mobility where scar tissue has formed. Another example is facial fracture repair, which can restore one’s facial symmetry or correct a breathing issue.
• Post-Cancer Surgery – For those who have undergone cancer procedures like tumor or breast removal (mastectomy), reconstructive surgery can help restore form and function as well as appearance.

Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing

Living with physical differences or injuries—whether from birth, illness, trauma or other changes to the body—may cause feelings of anxiety and depression in some people. Reconstructive surgery can be a meaningful step in the journey toward emotional healing and an improved sense of well-being.

Long-Term Quality of Life

Whether it is helping a burn survivor regain movement, restoring one’s vision due to sagging skin or offering a breast cancer survivor a renewed sense of self, the benefits of reconstructive surgery can be truly transformative.

Consult a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

The surgeons at Bronson Plastic Surgery Specialists are skilled in a variety of cosmetic, medical and reconstructive surgery procedures. Whether you want to improve mobility, address physical conditions or enhance your features, schedule a consultation by calling (269) 372-3000 or completing this form. To learn more about our services, visit bronsonplasticsurgery.com.