After Trauma: Miami Plastic Surgeon Dr. Joshua Lampert

Over 6 million reconstructive surgery procedures were performed in 2013 according to statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The top 5 procedures were:

• Tumor removal
• Laceration repair
• Maxillofacial surgery
• Scar revision
• Hand surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery is focused on restoring function and appearance when accidents, genetics or illness has intervened. Whatever the cause, the goal is to restore the patient to normal function and appearance or to get as close to that goal as possible.

“We restore, rebuild, and make whole those parts which nature hath given, but which fortune has taken away. Not so much that it may delight the eye, but that it might buoy up the spirit, and help the mind of the afflicted.”

Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1545-1599)

Reconstructive Surgery: Where Art Meets Medicine

Miami board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Lampert spent over 6 years training in plastic surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, one of the busiest and most prestigious hospitals in the country. During this time, he managed thousands of cases of traumatic injury both in the emergency room and as scheduled reconstructive procedures in the operating room.

At his private plastic surgery practice in Miami, Dr. Lampert sees many patients in need of his well-honed reconstructive skills not only to repair injuries, but to repair failed cosmetic surgeries that resulted in disfigurement and dysfunction. Dr. Lampert credits his success to his artistic background as a classically trained sculptor as well as his intense surgical training and experience. Cosmetic surgery parallels reconstructive surgery, as the end goal is always an aesthetically pleasing result.

Plastic Surgery and Trauma

Plastic surgery encompasses a wide range of surgical procedures focused on restoring form, function, balance and harmony to the body. Some of the more common cases of trauma reconstruction include:

• Broken nose
• Lacerations
• Amputations
• Work related injuries
• Injuries to the face, head and neck
• Extensive skin loss from infection or burns
• Skin cancer removal
• Car or bicycle accident injuries

Some reconstructive surgical procedures require a combination of surgery, physical therapy and emergency care. Recovering from burns, car accidents, amputations and lacerations is accomplished in stages, starting with emergency care and stabilization of the process. Once stable, patients then go through surgery and often follow up with physical or occupational therapy.

Trauma Repair Takes Time

Some traumatic injuries or defects will not be corrected in one surgery alone, but require a staged surgical process. Burns and amputations may require multiple surgeries to restore acceptable form and function. Complex defects may require several different techniques including local tissue rearrangement, skin grafts or ‘free flap’ microvascular surgery.

Tumor removal can be extensive and create sizeable bony and soft tissue defects. Often these cases require immediate reconstruction at the time of surgery to maximize the chances of successful wound repair followed by several smaller staged surgeries.

Scars are a natural result of healing and the body’s way of sealing wounds and protecting itself. Depending on the situation and the patient's genetics, some scars are thicker and more problematic than others. Different types of scars are severe enough to require revision because they can become tight, contract, and interfere with mobility or become very uncomfortable.

Consult a Leading Miami Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Lampert embraces the challenge of restoring form, function and beauty to people who have suffered traumatic injury or require surgery for cancer. Contact his office for an initial consultation and evaluation. He will listen carefully to your goals and thoroughly examine you so that he can recommend a plan to help restore function and a better quality of life.