Plastic Surgery

Singing River Health System has the latest in surgical technology and works with the Coast’s best Plastic Surgeons to provide the highest quality in a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures.

You may be looking to enhance your appearance or you might need reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy or broken nose. Either way, Singing River’s got you covered.

Face Procedures:

Facelifts

To restore a more youthful appearance, often a facelift is necessary to improve deep wrinkles or excess skin of the lower face and neck. Facial aging involves a loss of skin elasticity and firmness as well as the development of sagging tissue and wrinkles. One of the benefits of a facelift is the correction of what is commonly known as “turkey neck.” For that reason, a lower facelift is often combined with liposuction of the neck to obtain the maximum result.

A facelift is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Incisions are placed in natural anatomic borders to make the scars inconspicuous. Although recovery and discomfort can resolve quickly, bruising and visible signs of surgery may last for several weeks.

Cosmetic Eye Surgery or Blephoraplasty

It has been said that the gateway to the soul is through the eyes because they draw attention and convey expression. Hereditary factors and the signs of aging can influence the appearance of our eyes, so their appearance is not a true reflection of how we feel. Eyes, including the eyelids, age just as the rest of the face does; in some instances individuals develop excess fat or skin at a much earlier age. Therefore it is not unusual for this operation to be performed on a younger person than a facelift, for example.

Incisions are made in the upper or lower lids and both skin and fat are resected. This surgery is performed as an outpatient. Recovery is usually very quick and discomfort is minimal, but bruising can last several weeks.

Breast Procedures:

From enhancing your figure to reconstruction surgery, our experienced team will guide you through the process. With the most advanced technology, quality products, and precise care, we will ensure your safety and comfort.

Breast Augmentation

Women seek breast augmentation for many reasons—to enhance the body contour, to correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy, or to balance a difference in breast size. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast. By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons can increase a woman’s bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. Breast implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

A small incision is made in the crease under the breast or around the nipple so the surgeon can insert the implant. The implant is usually placed under the muscle. This procedure is performed as an outpatient surgery under general anesthesia and lasts 1-2 hours. Recovery time varies with each individual but a woman may expect to return to non-strenuous work in about one week. Heavy exercise should be avoided for one month.

One of the most important choices when deciding about breast implant surgery is whether to use a saline or silicone implant. Saline implants have an exterior shell made of solid silicone and are filled with a saline solution, similar to that of the salt-water solution administered for intravenous fluids. A silicone implant has the same outer solid silicone shell; however, instead of being saline filled they are filled with a silicone gel. There are many important differences between silicone and saline; in general, silicone implants have a more natural look and feel while saline implants are less expensive and can be placed through a smaller incision. Both are FDA approved for the use of breast augmentation.

Breast Lift

A breast lift or mastopexy is a surgery designed to lift and reshape sagging breasts. This sagging is often referred to as ptosis. Different types of breast lifts, each with varying incision placement, are available, depending on the degree of ptosis. Some types of breast lifts can be used to correct asymmetry of the breast. Often an implant is used in conjunction with a lift to add increased upper breast fullness, which often lasts much longer than a mastopexy alone. Recovery time varies with each individual, but you may expect to return to non-strenuous work in about one week.
Heavy exercise should be avoided for one month.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery is appropriate for women whose breasts are large enough to cause such symptoms as back pain, neck pain, and skin irritation. Breast reduction surgery removes breast tissue and skin, making the breasts lighter and firmer. The surgery also repositions the nipple to a higher more youthful position, similar to a breast lift. A breast reduction can improve asymmetry of the breast as well since one breast can be reduced more or less than the other. This surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in our surgical center. Recovery time varies with each individual but you may expect to return to non-strenuous work in about one week. Heavy exercise should be avoided for one month. This surgery may be covered by health insurance plans since it is considered a correction of a medical condition.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is often available to women that have lost one or both their breasts to cancer or other diseases. Like so many things in plastic surgery, there are several options available in order to reconstruct. One of these options is to use your body’s own tissue to reconstruct the breast; another is to use implants. Each has its own list of advantages. We will guide you with a solution customized to meet your needs.

Body Procedures:

While plastic surgery should not be considered a weight-loss procedure, many people appropriately use it to improve the look of their body and to help stretched muscles and remove fat from areas that are stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise. Depending on your situation, Dr. Wells can help you find the right solution for your body.

Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most requested cosmetic surgical procedures. It sculpts the body by removing fat from targeted areas. Common areas for liposuction are the hips, waist, thighs, buttocks and neck. You can return to work within five days. A light compression garment is worn for 2 to 3 weeks.

Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, is often performed after pregnancy or a large weight loss. In these situations, the muscles and skin have been stretched and will not return to a normal position; sit-ups and exercise will not correct the problem. A tummy tuck not only removes excess fat and skin, it also tightens the abdominal wall muscles. This not only creates a flatter stomach when viewed from the side, but also a narrower waistline when viewed from the front. Scars are usually placed below the waistline and just inside the belly button. Surgery lasts 2 to 3 hours and most often is performed on an outpatient basis. Although some individuals return to work more quickly, plan on returning to non-strenuous work in 2 weeks or 6 to 8 weeks for more strenuous work.

Post-Bariatric Surgery Procedures

Post-bariatric plastic surgery combines reconstructive and cosmetic techniques to tighten, lift and contour sagging areas after significant weight loss. The patient may choose to treat the arms, breasts, abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs, neck, face, or other areas.