Reconstructive Surgery

Beverly Hills Reconstructive Specialists

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumors, or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.

There are two basic categories of reconstructive surgery:

• Congenital deformities: otherwise known as birth defects
• Developmental deformities: acquired as a result of accident, infection, disease, or in some cases, aging.

Some common examples of congenital abnormalities are birthmarks; cleft-lip and palate deformities; hand deformities such as syndactyly (webbed fingers), or extra or absent fingers.

Burn wounds, lacerations, growths, and aging problems are considered acquired deformities. In some cases, you may find that a procedure commonly thought to be aesthetic in nature may be performed to achieve a reconstructive goal. For example, some older adults with redundant or drooping eyelid skin blocking their field of vision might have eyelid reconstruction surgery. Or if you are having problems breathing through your nose, you may require surgery for a deviated septum, or another nasal surgery. Although appearance may be enhanced, the main goal of the surgery is to restore function.

In another case, a young child might have reconstructive otoplasty (outer-ear surgery) to correct overly-large or deformed ears. At times, health insurance policies will consider the cost of reconstructive surgery a covered expense. Check with your carrier to make sure you're covered and to see if there are any limitations on the type of surgery you're planning.

The size, nature and extent of your injury or deformity will determine what treatment option is chosen and how quickly the surgery will be performed. Reconstructive surgery frequently demands complex planning and may require a number of procedures done in stages.

Everyone heals at a different rate and it is difficult to pinpoint an exact "back-to-normal" date following surgery. We will, however, give you a general idea of when you can expect to notice improvement.

To learn more about how a specific cosmetic procedure can help improve your appearance and outlook on life, call our Beverly Hills Cosmetic Plastic Surgery expert, Dr. David Sadaat, today at (800) 351-6341.