Reconstructive Surgery — Including Gynecomastia and Breast Reconstruction — for Akron and Cleveland
Unlike plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery is concerned with restoration of not only the form, but also the function of various parts of the body. It is therefore a highly specialized field of medicine. To produce superior results through reconstructive surgery, a surgeon must possess exceptional artistic ability in addition to a thorough understanding of the complex neural network that produces sensation and motor activity. Dr. Leedy received his training in reconstructive surgery from some of the nation's most eminent surgeons in Dallas, Texas. During his residency, he helped pioneer new techniques that restore form and function while dramatically limiting the potential for complications. Dr. Leedy's advanced procedures such as skin cancer reconstruction, facial reconstruction, and gynecomastia have significantly helped Akron, Canton, and Cleveland patients. Breast reconstruction procedures performed by Dr. Leedy have allowed many patients to regain not only form and function, but also self-confidence and self-esteem. If you have any questions about these procedures, please don't hesitate to contact the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute today to learn how we can help you.
- Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
- Gynecomastia and Poland Syndrome Reconstruction
- Skin Cancer Reconstruction
- Ear Deformities
- Facial Paralysis Reconstruction
- Vascular and Lymphatic Malformations
- Post-Traumatic Facial Reconstruction
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Not many physicians are able to offer microsurgical breast reconstruction because of the skill required to deliver this technically challenging procedure. Dr. Leedy and his staff at our Cleveland-area practice believe microsurgical breast reconstruction offers patients considerable benefits over traditional breast reconstruction techniques.
At the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute, microsurgical breast reconstruction is performed to restore a missing or malformed breast using tissue from the patient's own body. Donor tissue for this procedure is taken from the abdomen. Dr. Leedy is proud to offer muscle-sparing TRAMs and DIEP flaps (deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps). Microsurgical breast reconstruction utilizing muscle-sparing TRAMs or DIEP flaps offers advantages over traditional TRAM flap breast reconstruction. In the traditional TRAM flap, the entire rectus muscle is taken to reconstruct the breast, which can cause significant problems and postoperative pain. By taking an entire rectus muscle the abdominal wall is significantly weakened, sometimes making it difficult for patients to go from lying to sitting. It also can increase the risk of postoperative hernias and by nature of the procedure, the scar is often just below the level of the belly button. At the Cleveland Institute, microsurgical breast reconstruction as offered by Dr. Leedy provides for a quicker recovery, less muscle weakness postoperatively, and allows for the scar to be placed in the bikini-line, as in a tummy tuck.
If you live in the Canton, Akron, or Cleveland areas, and microsurgical breast reconstruction can help you or a loved one, please contact Dr. Leedy today to schedule a consultation to learn more the benefits of this advanced procedure and to begin the path to a new you.
Gynecomastia and Poland Syndrome Reconstruction
Abnormal breast development in men is known as gynecomastia. Affecting males in Akron, Cleveland, Canton, and throughout the world, this condition is common and temporary in adolescent males but in a small percentage it persists beyond puberty and becomes permanent. Dr. Leedy realizes the embarrassment and self-consciousness that gynecomastia can cause. He assures all of his patients, whether they are seeking treatment for gynecomastia or any condition, that their records and any discussions will be held in the strictest confidence.
Surgical correction of gynecomastia at the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute begins with an incision in an inconspicuous place – either in the armpit or in the outer edge of the areola (pigmented skin surrounding the nipple). Excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin, if necessary, are then removed. Dr. Leedy often incorporates the advanced technique of ultrasound-assisted liposuction into the procedure in order to better remove the dense fatty tissue and optimize results.
Gynecomastia surgery has helped many Akron, Cleveland, and Canton men gain not only an improved physical profile but also a renewed sense of self-confidence. They feel and look more attractive. After having the procedure, our patients' hesitancy to go shirtless at the beach, the locker room, or in any similar public venue disappears. Dr. Leedy has successfully performed corrective surgery for gynecomastia on men from Cleveland , Akron, and throughout Ohio. If you are a male who desires a flat, firm chest but has been unable to achieve that goal with diet and exercise, Dr. Leedy may be able to give you the look you seek by performing a gynecomastia procedure. Contact the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute today to schedule a private, confidential consultation with our expert surgeon.
In contrast to gynecomastia, Poland Syndrome is absence of the chest muscle, the pectoralis major. In women it also involves absence or deformity of the breast. Males who suffer from Poland Syndrome can undergo reconstructive surgery to correct the condition beginning at around the age of 10. Existing muscle from the back is used to restore the missing chest muscle. This procedure helps to correct the chest contour deformity, restoring a normal appearance to the chest. Females with Poland Syndrome should not undergo surgery until their breasts reach full development – at about 18 or 19 years of age. The treatment may require multiple operations depending on the severity of the deformity. During the first, the chest will be prepared for the implant. This often requires transfer of the back muscle to the chest and placement of a tissue expander. During the second surgery, the tissue expander is removed and the permanent implant is inserted. Dramatic results can be obtained with correction of this deformity, creating a new sense of wholeness for the patient while boosting self-esteem.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Unfortunately, the removal of a cancerous body normally results in permanent disfigurement. Given that 80 percent of skin cancer incidents occur on the face, patients who have endured this disease often seek reconstructive surgery. Through his exceptional surgical and artistic ability, Dr. Leedy can safely remove cancerous growths and help to ensure that patients bear little evidence of having undergone surgery. For many individuals, this reconstructive process serves as the important final step in the recovery from skin cancer.
From simple scar correction to extensive reconstructive surgery, Dr. Leedy is committed to restoring cancer patients' natural form through only the safest and most advanced techniques. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Leedy about skin cancer reconstruction, please contact us at the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute.
Ear Deformities
A significant amount of skill and surgical expertise is required to successfully reconstruct an ear that suffers from a congenital or traumatic deformity. The surgeon must possess the artistic ability to recreate a natural looking ear. Many plastic surgeons, in fact, do not perform ear reconstruction because it is such a highly specialized procedure. Dr. Leedy, however, built his practice upon a strong foundation of reconstructive surgery, having developed his surgical technique under the guidance of the nation's top surgeons. He is proud to be able to offer his reconstructive services, including ear deformity correction, microsurgical breast reconstruction, and gynecomastia, to the Cleveland and other Northern Ohio communities in order to restore the form to those with congenital deformities or afflicted by cancer or trauma.
One of the most severe types of ear deformity is known as microtia. This is a congenital condition in which the external ear is either absent or significantly malformed. Fortunately, however, children who are born with this condition do not have to go through life looking and feeling different from others. Through the latest advances in reconstructive surgery, Dr. Leedy can replace damaged or missing ears with natural looking ears.
If treated in the first week of life, malformed ears can often be corrected without the need for surgery. Dr. Leedy is experienced in non-surgical techniques for correcting ear deformities in newborn infants. This highly rewarding process can turn misshapen ears into normal appearing ears by using specialized ear molds. If you have or know of a newborn with misshapen ears you should call to learn more about what is possible.
Contact us today to learn more about these or any other reconstructive procedures that Dr. Leedy offers.
Facial Paralysis Reconstruction
Our facial expressions are important because they often communicate as much as our actual words. Facial paralysis, whether as a result of trauma, a surgical procedure, or Bell's palsy, can be very difficult to cope with because it impairs this unique mode of communication, which is essential for our interpersonal relationships.
Dr. Leedy specializes in various reconstructive techniques that help restore patients' confidence by enabling them to regain control of their expressions and facial muscles. A facial sling can restore symmetry to facial expressions by raising a sagging area of the face. In cases involving significant nerve damage, an advanced procedure can be employed in which nerves from other areas of the body are used to replace the damaged portions of the facial nerve in order to increase the mobility of the facial muscles.
In longstanding facial paralysis and in congenital facial paralysis, Dr. Leedy offers microsurgical functional muscle transfer. In this highly specialized procedure, Dr. Leedy transfers a muscle from the leg up to the face and reattaches the blood vessels and nerves to the muscle. The result can be fantastic, creating a more spontaneous, symmetric smile that can make profound changes in the patient's confidence and self-esteem.
Dr. Leedy also offers treatment for those with eyelid dysfunction. His reconstructive procedures can restore the ability to blink, which is necessary to supply the eye with moisture and prevent impaired vision.
If you or someone you love suffers from facial paralysis or could benefit from another of our advanced reconstructive procedures, such as gynecomastia or microsurgical breast reconstruction, please contact the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Leedy today.
Vascular and Lymphatic Malformations
Malformations of the blood or lymphatic vessels often manifest themselves as prominent birthmarks or large, cystic growths located underneath the skin. These abnormalities can result in adverse physical and psychological consequences for both children and adults.
Using laser therapy, Dr. Leedy can treat vascular and lymphatic malformations. Through a series of application sessions, these conditions can be prevented from worsening and often eliminated. Laser therapy is safe to use on people of all ages and has enabled numerous patients to lead normal lives by eliminating the social stigma of an unsightly birthmark.
When necessary, Dr. Leedy can perform surgery to remove a vascular or lymphatic deformity. Using his exceptional artistry, Dr. Leedy is able to reconstruct the treated area in a way that enables patients to attain as natural an appearance as possible.
If you or your child suffer from a malformation that you would like to have treated for aesthetic reasons, health concerns, or both, please contact Dr. Leedy to schedule a consultation.
Post-Traumatic Facial Reconstruction
Following a serious injury, an accident, or the removal of a cancerous growth, individuals can be left with damage to the skeletal system and soft tissue of their bodies. When such injuries occur on the face, head or neck, they can take an emotional as well as a physical toll if they significantly alter a person's appearance.
Thanks to modern advancements in plastic surgery, however, people no longer have to suffer these consequences. At the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. Leedy provides a wide range of reconstructive surgery procedures designed to restore a natural appearance to patients who have suffered facial trauma. For minor facial wounds, simple revision techniques can be utilized to conceal scarring. For more extensive reconstruction, Dr. Leedy can restore a patient's appearance through a graduated approach, scheduling the necessary surgeries at staged intervals in order to achieve optimal results.
Through his expertise, Dr. Leedy is able to restore both appearance and function to the injured areas of his patients' faces while minimizing morbidity. He is proud to be able to help patients in their time of need by enabling them to look and feel their best. If you or someone you love may be able to benefit from facial reconstruction surgery or any of our advanced procedures, including microsurgical breast reconstruction or gynecomastia, please contact us at the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute to schedule a consultation with Dr. Leedy.
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
The abdominal wall protects the vital organs of the intra-abdominal area. Although it is relatively durable, a breach in the abdominal wall can result from an injury, a congenital condition, removal of a tumor, or another surgical procedure. In order to restore strength and integrity to a damaged abdominal wall, Dr. Leedy performs abdominal wall reconstruction. Depending on your condition, Dr. Leedy can employ various types of prosthetic or autogenous grafts to reinforce the abdominal wall and restore it to its preinjury state.
Contact Our Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Leedy uses the most advanced surgical techniques at the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute for breast reconstruction, gynecomastia, and other reconstructive procedures. Akron , Cleveland, Mentor, Willoughby, and all Ohio residents can be assured that when they contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Leedy, they will receive personalized care and full respect for their privacy.
