Page 16 • September 2015
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PLASTIC SURGERY - Going beyond the surface What this sub-specialty means to different people
surgery may be more than the general consensus. Please allow time to explore your interest in our ability to consult and treat you.
By Carla Skytta, DO, Kansas Medical Clinic Plastic Surgery
W
hat do you think of when you hear the question ‘What is plastic surgery?’
As a plastic surgeon, I have asked several people questions like this to gain a better perspective of what one might think we do. Their answers can include anything from repairing a torn earlobe, injecting a cosmetic solution such as Botox®, cosmetic facial surgery and liposuction; to a skin graft, burn care, treatment of upper extremity diagnoses (i.e. trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome), or a variety of other surgical procedures – elective or medically-necessary. The answer can also be the enhancement of one’s looks, a way to build self-esteem, to correct congenital defects to restore symmetry, or to correct a self-portrayed imperfection. For others, it can treat injuries related to auto accidents, a burn injury, or can be a way of appeasing disabilities from life experiences or birth defects. In any event—plastic surgery is a positive change that can make a person feel attractive and youthful. Plastic surgery has developed into many areas and our goal as surgeons is to open one’s mind, or broaden the view of what we can offer.
Dr. Carla Skytta, DO
Reconstructive surgery is treatment of a medical process or life-threatening diagnosis, restoring previous physical attributes or functions. For example, in the realm of breast cancer, a general surgeon may perform a surgery to remove the breast (mastectomy), and a plastic surgeon may then discuss treatment options to restore ones self to a pre-existing state; primarily to achieve symmetry, or several other surgical and non-surgical options that can make one feel ‘like me again.’ “What are the benefits or perceived benefits of plastic surgery?” The benefits of plastic surgery remain in the nature with which plastic surgery differs from say, general surgery. Each has a very important role in the overall surgical condition or medical and physical functional outcome of the patient. Though plastic surgeons are typically sought after for cosmetic surgeries—their role is also very important to help regain a pre-operative, or pre-medical, physical outward appearance and/or functionality.
Our services go well beyond the scope of cosmetic enhancements. There are several facets to this surgical sub-specialty, including (but not limited to) cosmetic, reconstructive, congenital, hand and microsurgery. Not every plastic surgeon offers all of these sub-specialties, and a patient should undergo a scheduled consultation to help make the best decision for his or her situation—even when it means surgery is not the best answer to a perceived problem. It’s most important for a patient to receive an educated, honest opinion with full disclosure of what options are available.
A plastic surgeon’s goal is to have a compliant patient who is a good candidate for the surgery or procedure best for his or her situation. This includes a consultation in which both the patient and surgeon have agreed upon the best plan for the most-positive outcome.
“What is the difference between reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery?”
The point here is to open the mind of the reader, to understand what can be offered and how plastic
Carla Skytta, DO completed medical school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio following up with a General Surgery residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus. Dr. Skytta is board-certified in general surgery and has completed a three-year fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Cleveland Clinic foundation, South Pointe hospital. Additionally, she completed a fellowship in hand surgery at Grandview Hospital in Dayton. Dr. Skytta grew up in Northeast Ohio and is excited to practice in Topeka. She enjoys volunteering her time on medical mission trips. In 2014 she went to Colombia, South America and performed multiple plastic and hand surgeries. Dr. Skytta covers multiple areas of surgery including plastic/reconstructive surgery and hand surgery. This includes surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures – from face and neck lifts; to abdominoplasty, liposuction, laser, and injectibles.
KMC Plastic Surgery 6001 SW 6th Ave., Ste. 310 Topeka, Kansas 66615 785-271-2297 www.KMCPA.com