Reconstructive Surgery
Rediscover your confidence
Advanced Plastic Surgery Services
If an illness or accident has changed your appearance, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons is here to help you regain your confidence.
Our experienced team offers comprehensive reconstructive services, including:
- Breast reconstructive surgery
- Nose surgery (functional rhinoplasty)
- Reconstruction after skin cancer surgery (Mohs surgery)
- Scar revisions
Functional Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery)
Rhinoplasty is the surgical art of improving the shape and function of your nose. Your plastic surgeon may recommend a functional rhinoplasty if you:
- Have trouble breathing due to your nose shape.
- Have broken your nose.
- Have experienced other nasal trauma.
- Insurance may cover portions of nose surgery relating to breathing issues.
Qualifying for Surgery
To ensure your recovery goes well and your risk of complications is low, you must be nicotine-free and physically fit prior to surgery. If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, you may not qualify for surgery until you lose weight.
Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer
If you have undergone surgery for breast cancer, there are many options for breast reconstruction. Your personal preferences and medical history will determine the best option for you.
We will work with our breast cancer team to develop a personalized plan that meets your unique needs. This plan may include one or more of the following surgeries:
Those who undergo breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy or partial mastectomy) often require radiation therapy. For the best outcome, we may recommend breast reconstruction before radiation therapy. This may include rearrangement of breast tissue, reduction in breast size and/or implant placement.
During reconstruction, your plastic surgeon uses a saline or silicone implant to recreate the breast. A tissue expander is then placed under your chest muscles and is slowly expanded by a doctor over a series of office visits. In second operation, the surgeon removes the expander and replaces it with a permanent implant.
In some situations, your surgeon can move a large muscle in your back (the latissimus dorsi), including its skin and fat, to your chest for breast reconstruction.
The removal of your latissimus muscle will cause some shoulder weakness, but it does not typically interfere with normal daily activities. Once the wound from the surgery is healed, your clothing will conceal the back scar.
Your new breast may be formed using a TRAM Flap, which takes skin, fat and blood vessels from the abdomen muscle and surrounding area. The abdomen is then closed, similar to a “tummy tuck.” After the surgery, you may experience unevenness, weakness or hernias along the abdominal wall.
A DIEP Flap also uses skin, fat and blood vessels from the abdomen to form a new breast. Unlike traditional procedures, DIEP Flap surgery leaves the abdominal muscle intact so you can recover and return to your usual activities more quickly.
This procedure is performed at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in downtown Boston.
Services & Specialties
To improve your health and quality of life, the specialists in our network can help you with: