Unlike cosmetic surgery, which is performed to improve a person's appearance by enhancing and rejuvenating their natural features, reconstructive surgery aims to correct abnormal form and function. This may be present at birth (congenital deformities), or may be acquired later in life due to injury, infection, cancer and other diseases. The goal of any reconstructive procedure is to achieve, as far as possible, a normal appearance and function.

We offer:

Removal of skin lesions
Scar revision
Breast reduction (Female and Male)
Ptosis surgery
Jaw surgery (Orthognathic surgery)
Treatment of facial injuries including lacerations and fractures

 

Growths on the skin can range from harmless moles and age spots to skin cancers. If the growth is small, surgical removal is straightforward and can be performed quickly under local anaesthesia. Larger growths may require more complex reconstructive procedures.

 

Scars may be due to accidents, such as cuts, abrasions or burns, infections, or following a surgical procedure. The severity of the scar depends on many factors: the size, direction and depth of the original wound, the blood supply to the area, the patient's skin type, and the type of treatment originally done.

Although a scar may appear prominent soon after the injury, most scars will improve in appearance over time. This process of improvement can be aided by use of scar creams, silicone gels and steroid injections. Hence, surgery to improve a scar's appearance is often delayed for several months to allow the scar to settle and improve.

Procedures for improving the appearance of scars include surgical excision (cutting out the scar) and repositioning the line of the new scar to be less conspicuous. Laser therapy can sometimes be used to smooth out the surface of certain kinds of scars.

Keloids are large scars that have grown beyond the edges of the original wound. These scars are usually treated with steroid injections and silicone gel. Surgery is generally not recommended as they tend to recur.

 

Breast Reduction (Female)

This operation is done to correct excessively large and sagging breasts. These may give rise to symptoms such as shoulder, neck and backache, postural difficulties and skin problems. In this procedure, excess breast tissue, fat and skin are removed, and the nipple and areola are resited to an aesthetically pleasing position. Surgical scars are hidden in the lower portion of the breasts.

Breast reduction is usually done under general anaesthesia, takes approximately 3 hours, and requires a hospital stay of 1-2 days. Recovery time ranges from 2-3 weeks.

 

Gynecomastia Reduction (Male Breast Reduction)

Gynecomastia refers to the presence of enlarged breasts in men. While this is sometimes due to certain drugs, hormonal abnormalities and medical conditions, in most cases there is no obvious cause.

Surgical reduction of gynecomastia can be done either by excision or by liposuction. Excision is preferred if the enlargement is due to hard, glandular tissue that cannot be otherwise removed by liposuction. The incision is usually placed at the edge of the areola.

If the enalargement is predominantly due to soft, fatty tissue, reduction can be done by liposuction or Vaser liposelection. Small incisions are placed inconspicuously near the armpits or at the side of the chest.

Gynecomastia reduction is usually done under general anaesthesia, and takes 1.5 to 2 hours, No hospital stay is required. Recovery time is 1-2 weeks. Following the procedure, the patient is required to wear a pressure garment (a tight fitting shirt to help control swelling and maintain the contour of the chest) for approximately one month.

Ptosis refers to drooping of the upper eyelids. This condition may be congenital (the patient is born with ptosis), or it may be due to an injury or previous eyelid surgery. In some cases weakness of the eyelid muscles due to nerve or muscle disorders may cause ptosis. Surgical correction can be performed to raise the upper eyelids to their correct level, resulting in a brighter, less tired-looking appearance.

 

Jaw surgery or orthognathic surgery refers to surgery to change the positions of the upper and lower jaws. This is done when deformities of the jaws result in facial imbalances and the teeth not fitting together.

Prior to jaw surgery, orthodontic treatment of the teeth with braces is necessary to bring the teeth into the correct position in preparation for surgical movement of the jaws. Following surgery, orthodontic treatment is continued to 'fine-tune' the position of the teeth.

Jaw surgery is done under general anaesthesia and usually requires a short hospital stay of 1-2 days. Facial swelling is at its peak in the first week, and gradually subsides over several weeks.

Injuries to the face can occur after falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports accidents and assaults. They can range in severity from minor skin cuts, to the more severe fractures of the facial bones. Minor injuries can usually be treated in the clinic or the emergency room. Facial bone fractures usually require special x-rays and sometimes surgery if the bones have been shifted out of position.