Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic Surgery, also referred to as Cosmetic Surgery or Reconstructive Surgery, is a specialized medical field that involves resculpting or reshaping the human body. Often surgery is elective and the results purely aesthetic. But it can also involve restoring physical function and minimizing the effects of birth defects, disease and other trauma due to accidents.
At Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Elmbrook Memorial we are committed to offering a full array of cosmetic and plastic surgery services that will allow your inner beauty to emerge. Whether you are seeking cosmetic services for health reasons or for personal ones, you can expect to find on an unparalleled commitment to medical excellence and compassionate care when you come to Elmbrook Memorial.
Whether it’s your eyes, face, breast, body, veins or legs, at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Elmbrook Memorial your procedure will be performed by a board-certified physician – an expect in the area of interest – and in the safety and security of a full service hospital.
EYE AND FACE REJUVENATION
The eyes. They’re the first thing most people notice about your face. But as we age, our eyelids may become baggy and droopy making us look tired, sad, or older.
At Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Elmbrook Memorial, we are proud to offer exceptional service and outcomes for individuals wishing to improve the appearance of their eyes, brows or foreheads.
To reverse these effects of aging around the eyes, more and more people are choosing procedures performed by board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons. We offer surgeons with extensive training in the fields of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery with specialization in the face, orbits (eye sockets), eyelids, and lacrimal (tear) system.
COMMON PROCEDURES OF THE EYES AND FACE
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty
Results in a more youthful, rested look. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin and muscle from both the upper and lower eyelids along with underlying fatty tissue. It can improve drooping skin and bagginess and often helps improve vision in older patients who have hooding of their upper eyelids.
Ptosis surgery
Results in normal eyelid height and aperture and an improved visual field. Ptosis surgery involves the surgical lifting of the upper eyelid levels when they are abnormally low on the eye regardless of cause.
Forehead/brow lift
Often done in conjunction with eyelid rejuvenation, these lifts eliminate sags and furrows that make one appear tired or sad and restore the youthful appearance of the upper face. This procedure can be performed endoscopically with limited incisions.
Facelift
Improves sagging facial skin, jowls, and loose neck skin by removing excess fat and tightening muscles.
Nose Surgery, or Rhinoplasty
Reshapes the nasal cavity by reducing or increasing size, removing hump, changing shape of tip or bridge, narrowing span of nostrils, or changing angle between nose and upper lip.
Other Services Offered For the Eyes and Face
Rolled eyelid (Entropion) correction
Scar revision
Treatment of orbital fractures, injuries or tumors
Lip augmentation
BREAST AND BODY ENHANCEMENTS
At Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Elmbrook Memorial we offer a full array of board certified medical experts who specialize in evaluating, treating and perfecting changes in the human body for both medical and aesthetic reasons. If you’re considering cosmetic plastic surgery, please ask your plastic surgeon for further information about the particular procedure that is of interest to you.
COMMON PROCEDURES OF THE BREAST AND BODY
Breast Augmentation (Augmentation mammoplasty)
Our board certified surgeons will work with each individual to assure that changes in the breasts meet and exceed all expectations. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to alter the size and shape of a woman’s breast. Goals would include enhancing the body contour of a woman who, for personal reasons, feels her breast size is too small and achieving better symmetry when breasts are moderately disproportionate in size and shape.
Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
Many women experience medical problems caused by excessive weight and size of breasts including back and neck pain, skin irritation, skeletal deformities and breathing problems. Or a breast reduction may be strictly a personal choice. The goal is to create smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of the body for ultimate health and wellness.
Breast Reconstruction
If a breast has been removed or altered following breast cancer or as a result of congenital abnormalities or trauma, a natural shape can be restored surgically. Breast reconstruction can be performed using implants or the woman’s own tissue.
Breast Lift (Mastoplexy)
Loss of skin elasticity, gravity and other factors such as weight loss, pregnancy and breast-feeding can affect the shape and firmness of breasts. A breast lift can help to improve the shape of breasts that are sagging or have lost firmness.
Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)
Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), is a very common condition, affecting an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. For those who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can help, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured.
Removing Excess Skin and Fat
There are many procedures that can be performed to remove excess skin from the body resulting most commonly after a major weight loss. The normal contour of many body areas can be restored including stomachs, thighs, arms, buttocks and all areas of the torso.
Procedures include:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty/ panniculectomy)
Thigh Lift (Thighplasty)
Torsoplasty
Liposuction
Liposuction can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Excess fat is removed from under the skin with the use of a vacuum-suction instrument.
VEIN IMPROVEMENTS
Millions of Americans suffer from pain, burning, swelling and cramping brought on by the chronic and recurrent condition of varicose veins. Apart from the discomfort and health risks, they can detract from your appearance. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare - Elmbrook Memorial offers board certified physicians who specialize in such vascular conditions.
COMMON TREATMENT FOR VEIN PROBLEMS
Surgery
Surgical techniques performed to treat varicose veins include ligation which involves tying off a vein, stripping which is the removal of a long segment of vein by pulling it out with a special instrument and ambulatory phlebectomy, removal of veins through tiny incisions. Surgery may be performed using local, spinal or general anesthesia. Most patients return home the same day as the procedure.
Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia that involves the removal of vein branches on the surface of the legs. Incisions are tiny, stitches are generally not necessary and this surgery generally leaves imperceptible puncture mark scars. After the vein has been removed, a bandage and or compression stocking is worn for a brief period.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy can be used to treat both varicose and spider veins. A tiny needle is used to inject the veins with a medication that irritates the lining of the vein. In response, the veins collapse and are reabsorbed. The surface veins are no longer visible. Sclerotherapy relieves symptoms due to varicose and spider veins in most patients. With this procedure, veins can be dealt with at an early stage helping to prevent further complications.
Endovenous Laser Treatment
Endovenous laser treatment is an alternative to surgical stripping of the greater staphenous vein, the largest vein in the body which runs through the leg. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses at laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg. Endovenous laser treatment is FDA-approved for treatment of the greater staphenous vein.
Radiofrequency Occlusion (closure procedure)
This procedure is also an alternative to surgical stripping of the greater staphenous vein. A small catheter is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. The catheter delivers radio frequency energy into the vein wall, causing it to heat. As it warms, the vein collapses and seals shut. The procedure is done in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. This procedure is also FDA-approved.
Results
With the evaluation and treatment methods available today, varicose veins can be treated at a level of effectiveness and safety previously unattainable. Regardless which treatment method is used, its success depends in part on careful assessment of the problem by a knowledgeable physician. There are many underlying causes of varicose veins, so successful treatment of a particular vein problem does not necessarily prevent vein problems from recurring in the future. Treatments need to be tailored to the individual patient based on a physical examination and your medical history.