Plastic surgery covers a wide variety of procedures. It is called "plastic surgery" because the term "plastic" derives from the Greek word "plastikos", meaning "to mold" or "to give form." Plastic surgery falls into two categories: cosmetic and reconstructive.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body (caused by injury, disease, or birth defects) to improve function or to approximate a more normal appearance and to correct deformities present from birth, such as a cleft palate, or the results of injuries, diseases, or burns. Reconstructive procedures are generally considered medically necessary and are usually covered by insurance while cosmetic procedures are not.

Burn and Wound Care The Department of Plastic Surgery staffs the Burn Unit and Wound Care Center at the Regional Medical Center. The Burn Unit and Wound Care Center are extremely active and provide excellent care to patients. The Burn Unit, one of two in the state, is the region's only comprehensive burn care facility.

"Almost 100,000 Americans are hospitalized each year due to serious burns. The West Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas regions have one of the highest incidences of death by fire in the United States," observed Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Medical Center Sylvester L. Reeder, III.

The Wound Center is a regional referral center for wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). The center serves as an outpatient clinic for the treatment of a wide range of acute, chronic, and non-healing wounds, including:

• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Failing skin grafts
• Outpatient burns
• Traumatic wounds
• Venous stasis ulcers

Dr. Bill Hickerson is the Director of our Wound Care Services, both inpatient and outpatient, in addition to serving as Director of the Bunr Center of Excellence.

Dr. Stephen King is the Director of our Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Service.

Cosmetic or Aesthetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve a person's appearance, self-esteem and self-confidence. In addition to Plastic Surgery, Tracey Snider, RN performs non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox® and injectable fillers. She is a well-qualified and talented aesthetic nurse.

Our surgeons, Dr. Robert Wallace, Dr. Roberto Lachica, and Dr. Jon Ver Halen regularly perform each of the procedures listed below and are experienced and specially trained in each one. The UTMG Department of Plastic Surgery staff is also knowledgeable about these procedures and will be able to give you thorough information to help you understand the benefits as well as the risks of each one. Please feel free to call our office at 901-347-8290 or (Toll Free) 1-800-733-0622 Option 3 for more information.

Patient care is our first concern. Often, illnesses affect many areas of the body and may require evaluation and treatment by several types of doctors. UT Medical Group doctors can easily call on their colleagues in other specialties for consultation.

Links:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

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• Botox^® Injections to remove the appearance of wrinkles
  • Botox: Facial Rejuvenation - ASPS
  • Botox Cosmetic^® - Allergan Inc.
  • Botox - National Institutes of Health (NIH): Medline Plus

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• Breast Enlargement (Augmentation / Implants)
  • FDA Breast Implant Consumer Handbook
  • Saline-Filled Breast Implant Surgery: Making An Informed Decision
    (Mentor Corporation)
  • Mentor Breast Augmentation Information

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• Breast Reconstruction
  Recent advances in reconstructive surgery include microvascular procedures. For example, surgeons may use microvascular techniques to reconstruct areas of the head or neck after cancer or to reattach a finger injured in an accident. Microvascular techniques are also used to reconstruct a patient’s breast after mastectomy.  One illustration of this is DIEP free flap surgery, in which the surgeon transfers skin, fat and blood vessels from the patient’s abdomen to the chest.  The doctor then uses a special microscope to reconnect the blood supply to the new breast.  
  • DIEP Breast Reconstruction
  • DIEP Sisters - DIEP Flap
    

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• Collagen Injections
  • Facial Aesthetics
    (INAMED Aesthetics, formerly known as McGhan Medical)

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• Cosmetic Procedures - ASPS
  • Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures at a Glance
  • Breast Lift (Mastoplexy)
  • Chin Surgery (Mentoplasty)
  • Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
  • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
  • Facelift / Necklift (Rhytidectomy)
  • Forehead Lift / Brow Lift
  • Laser skin resurfacing
  • Liposuction (including Ultrasonic Techniques)
  • Liposuction (Tumescent Techniques)
  • Men and Cosmetic Surgery (Abdominoplasty, Liposuction for Gynecomastia, Laser Skin Resurfacing)
  • Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)
  • Thigh Lift, Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
  • Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

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• Pediatric Surgery for Craniofacial Disorders & Birth Defects
  Children's Craniofacial Association - CCA Includes: Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, Facial Cleft, Frontonasal Dysplasia, Goldenhar syndrome, Miller syndrome, Nager syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, Pierre Robin syndrome, Saethre-Chotzen syndrome as well as the following syndromes for which patient brochures are available in pdf format:
  • Abnormal Growth of the Skull (Apert Syndrome)
  • Craniosynostosis (fused bones of the skull)
  • Crouzon syndrome (facial abnormalities)
  • Ear Deformities such as Microtia and Artresia
  • Facial Palsy
  • Fibrous Dysplasia (Non-cancerous bone disease)
  • Hemangioma (benign tumor occuring in infancy)
  • Moebuis syndrome (congenital developmental disorder)
  • Treacher Collins syndrome (underdeveloped cheek and jawbones)

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• Reconstructive Procedures - ASPS
  • American Cleft Palate Association
  • Breast Reconstruction following Breast Removal (Mastectomy)
  • Breast Reduction Surgery (Mammaplasty)
  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Reconstruction after traumatic injury
  • Scar Revision

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• Skin Cancer - Surgery to repair defects caused from tumor removal
  • American Society for Moh's Surgery
  • Skin Cancer and Your Plastic Surgeon - ASPS
  • What is Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer - American Cancer Society

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• Skin Care:
  • Obagi System

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• UT Medical Group, Inc.
  • UT Medical Group Departments
  • UT Medical Group Physician Directory
  • UTMG Surgery Maps and Locations
  • UTMG Health Topic - Plastic Surgery

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Information and links found on the UT Medical Group, Inc. web site are neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency call your healthcare provider immediately.