Plastic Surgery

During plastic surgery, physicians use medical procedures to alter, repair or reconstruct parts of the body. Surgeons at GW Hospital work in surgical suites that are outfitted with advanced technology, such as minimally invasive surgical equipment, to help reduce recovery times for patients and minimize scarring.

Types of Plastic Surgery

There are two types of plastic surgery: cosmetic and reconstructive.

• Cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure in which normal parts of the body are reshaped to help improve a person’s appearance or reduce signs of aging. Because the treatment is elective, cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by insurance, however patients should always check with their insurance providers to be sure.
• Reconstructive plastic surgery corrects physical conditions caused by burns, congenital abnormalities, traumatic injuries, infection, disease or developmental abnormalities, or scars or other issues caused by cancer or tumors. It is typically performed to improve function, but it can also be performed to give the face or body a more normal appearance. This type of plastic surgery is often covered by insurance, however coverage can vary from procedure to procedure, so patients should always check with their insurance providers before having reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures

Surgeons at GW Hospital perform the following procedures:

Treatment of Skin Diseases, Cancer and Trauma

• Malignant and benign lesions of the skin (basal cell, squamous cell)
• Melanoma
• Malignant and benign lesions of the soft tissue (sarcoma, lipoma)
• Birthmarks
• Reconstructive flaps and grafts
• Scar revisions

Complex Wound and Burn Treatment

• Acute burn management (thermal, chemical, electrical)
• Reconstructive burn treatment
• Difficult wound care (infections, bites, foreign bodies, chronic open wounds)
• End-stage hidradenitis suppurativa (chronic skin disease causing inflammation)

Surgery of the Breast

• Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction
• Breast reduction
• Congenital and developmental breast deformities
• Gynecomastia (excessive breast tissue in males)

Treatment of Facial Deformity, Disease and Trauma

• Facial fractures (mandible, zygoma, orbits, nose)
• Tumors of the lips, mouth, tongue, salivary glands
• Congenital tumors and vascular malformations
• Wound and laceration treatment
• Nasal deformity, ear deformity
• Cleft lip and palate

Surgery of the Hand

• Hand and forearm wounds
• Tendon injuries and lacerations
• Nerve injuries
• Fractures of the hand
• Vascular injuries of the hand
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Dupuytren's contracture (tissue thickening and tightening on the palm and fingers)
• Trigger finger 
• Congenital anomalies (extra digits, webbed fingers, etc.)

Surgery of the Trunk and Extremities

• Chest and abdominal wall reconstruction
• Perineal reconstruction
• Lower extremity coverage
• Flaps, grafts, free tissue transfer, expanders

Cosmetic Surgery

• Facelift (browlift, neck-lift)
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
• Cosmetic rhinoplasty
• Cosmetic otoplasty
• Liposuction
• Collagen injections
• Abdominoplasty​

Gender Affirmation Surgery

Wherever your journey takes you, we can help you feel more comfortable as the person you were meant to be born as. Your surgical team at GW Hospital will be with you every step of the way to coordinate and optimize your care. Creating a treatment plan tailored specifically to your individual goals is the first step in the process.

We provide several procedures, including:

Facial Feminization Surgery

When we see someone, it takes only a split second for our brain to process hundreds of visual cues to decide a person’s gender, age, and mood. Facial feminization surgery (FFS) serves to modify the underlying facial bone structure to change masculine cues to feminine cues. This can be complemented by “soft tissue” surgery such as alteration of the hairline, eyebrows, and lips.

Listen to this podcast to learn more about Facial Feminization Surgery >

Breast Augmentation

Hormone therapy allows for some degree of breast development, but oftentimes it is simply not enough. Those patients are often excellent candidates for breast augmentation surgery. This is done as an outpatient surgery with breast implants, which are filled with either saline or silicone gel. During your consultation, we will review your choices, goals, expectations and recovery in helping you achieve the look you want.

Chest Masculinization

Chest masculinization surgery, or “top surgery,” involves removal of the breast tissue and repositioning/reshaping of the nipple and areola to create a masculine contour and appearance to the chest. Liposuction of fatty areas of the chest is often done at the same time to help with contour.