When does plastic surgery become necessary after a traumatic injury? Read on to learn more. Such injury inflicts trauma in and of itself on many levels. On one level, traumatic injury causes pain. On another level, it causes distress during treatment and the recovery process. On yet another level, traumatic injury can leave a person with permanent scarring or disfigurement that serves as a constant reminder of the event that caused the injury in the first place.
Reconstructive plastic surgery treats this particular level of trauma. A doctor will incorporate plastic surgery into a patient’s treatment plan to restore function and form to the affected body part. By minimizing or removing the scarring and deformity caused by serious traumatic injury, a plastic surgeon can restore a sense of normalcy to a patient’s life.
The term traumatic injury describes a range of injuries that vary in severity, type, and location. A traumatic injury can result from an accident, physical assault, or some other type of incident.
The injury can result in deep abrasions that remove layers of skin and fat. A traumatic injury can also include deep cuts. Severe trauma will often cause injury to muscle, bone, blood vessels, and nerves.
These types of injuries require a multifaceted treatment plan that often includes reconstructive plastic surgery. The treatment plan should prioritize the treatment of urgent problems like blood loss, nerve damage, and broken bones. Plastic surgery can come after all potentially life-threatening problems are fixed.
In some cases, a plastic surgeon may begin reconstructive surgery during the initial treatment. After the trauma surgeon determines the true extent of the patient’s injuries, they will repair the damage. Once the patient is stable, a plastic surgeon may make some initial repairs to the patient’s body. The surgeon can also use the opportunity to evaluate the patient and form a plan for surgical reconstruction.
In other cases, the plastic surgeon will have to wait until the patient is out of danger. It may be necessary for the patient to stabilize and recover, to some extent, before beginning the reconstruction process. The timing generally depends on the severity of the patient’s injuries.
The aftermath of traumatic injuries varies. A patient could regain full function of the affected body part but still have severe scarring. In this case, the aim of reconstruction will be to restore the patient’s appearance as much as possible. Some people may choose to live with superficial changes rather than subject themselves to surgery.
Other patients will suffer limited function in the affected area. Such patients will often choose reconstructive surgery in order to regain the full use of their bodies.
The incidence of traumatic injury is quite high, and plastic surgeons often perform the following procedures on a regular basis:
Here are the answers to some of the questions you might have concerning getting plastic surgery after suffering a traumatic injury:
Patients are advised to prepare mentally and physically for their surgical procedure since it increases the odds of a successful outcome. Preparation starts with a consultation with a plastic surgeon who discusses the procedure with the patient and what recovery will be like. Patients can often ask to see before and after photos of past patients so they have a clearer expectation of what the procedure can accomplish.
The surgeon will also go over the patient’s medical history and provide pre and post-surgery instructions. Patients are advised to come to their consultation with a list of questions so all their concerns can be addressed.
In many cases, plastic surgery performed for reconstructive purposes is covered by insurance providers. Elective procedures like breast augmentation are typically not covered by insurance.
Many patients have been helped through reconstructive surgery and recovery. If you or a loved one is dealing with a traumatic injury, a plastic surgery team can help you through the different challenges you will face through recovery and regaining the function of your body and sense of wellness.
Get more information here: https://www.paulcdillonmd.com or call Paul C. Dillon, MD Inc at (847) 429-3185
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