A Tradition of Surgical Excellence
The Albany Med Health System is your best choice for reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Our plastic and reconstructive surgery team offers the broadest range of cosmetic and reconstructive options in the region. Our physicians have trained and cared for patients at some of the most prestigious centers in the world and bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
We treat adults and children, offering the safest, most effective, long term solutions for many conditions.
At Albany Medical Center, our fellowship-trained microsurgeons, the only ones in the region, offer the most advanced reconstructive options to restore form and function following cancer treatment or complex trauma.
Care Throughout the Capital Region
Plastic and reconstructive surgery is offered through Albany Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital.
Albany Medical Center is also home to the Cleft-Craniofacial Center which provides one-stop care for cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis (cranial vault remodeling) and other conditions from birth through adulthood. Cleft life and palate reconstruction and repair is also done at Saratoga Hospital.
All locations and physicians in the System can be found in the Get Care section of this page.
Among the cosmetic procedures we offer:
- Arm lift (brachioplasty)
- Body contouring after major weight loss
- Body lift
- Botox
- Breast enlargement
- Breast lift
- Breast reduction
- Buttock enhancement
- Buttock lift
- Chemical peel
- Dermabrasion and dermaplaning
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Face lift
- Fat grafting
- Injectable fillers
- Liposuction
- Male breast reduction
- Neck lift
- Nasal reconstruction/nose job
- Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing
- Thigh lift
- Tummy tuck
- Orthoplastic reconstruction
Among the reconstructive procedures we offer:
Breast reconstruction is a procedure where a plastic surgeon recreates all or part of a breast that has been surgically removed. This can be done using implants or tissue from another part of the body or a combination of the two. The goal is to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following a mastectomy. Our surgeons work closely with oncologists and other specialists to determine the most appropriate solutions for women who are interested in breast reconstruction. They are specially trained in unique services such as DIEP flap reconstruction, among many other procedures.
The main types of breast reconstruction include:
- Tissue expander reconstruction
- Free flap reconstruction. In this procedure, your plastic surgeon uses all your own tissues, typically from the abdomen
- Combination: This approach can combine the two methods, using your own tissue from the back, latissimus muscle, plus a tissue expander/implant underneath
- Nipple and areola reconstruction and tattooing
- Gender surgery
- Top surgery
Burn reconstructive surgery can help in the healing process by repairing or restoring damaged skin.
Our specially trained plastic surgeons have extensive experience in burn management and reconstruction. Burn reconstructive surgery demands intense planning and may require a number of procedures. Our plastic surgeons understand the complexity of burn reconstruction and will determine the best treatment plan for patients.
The size, nature and extent of the injury or deformity will determine the type of procedure performed. Burn reconstructive procedures often require skin grafting or flap reconstruction.
Some patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may want to consider hand reconstructive surgery. Symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome typically include pain, a tingling sensation, numbness of the fingers, weakness or aching in the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome may be a result of repetitive motion or overuse, fluid retention during pregnancy, injury to the nerve in the carpal tunnel or rheumatoid arthritis. The pressure on the median nerve that results in the carpal tunnel must be relieved to repair this condition.
Our plastic surgeons have performed numerous carpal tunnel surgeries from the simple to the most complex. Carpal tunnel surgeries are commonly open-release -- after a numbing agent is injected into the patient’s palm, an incision is made from the middle of the palm to the wrist, allowing access to the constricted tissue causing pressure on the nerve.
For more complex carpal tunnel surgeries, endoscopy equipment is available at Albany Medical Center to allow surgeons to get a detailed look into the hand. The result is optimal outcomes for patients.
Hand Reconstructive Surgeries Offered:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Polydactyly (extra fingers)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Syndactyly (fingers fused together)
Abdominal wall reconstruction is an advanced surgical procedure for strengthening a weakened abdominal muscle. It is usually performed as a last line of defense once other surgeries have failed.
The front portion of the abdomen known as "the core," is a unique structure comprised of overlapping muscles and tendons that provide strength to the body. It provides support and protects the intestines, while allowing breathing and movement. Any injury, damage or weakness of this structure may result in mild to severe back pain, abdominal pain, discomfort or imbalance.
Hernias and Abdominal Wall Defects
Many patients with a variety of intestinal, solid organ, and gynecologic problems require abdominal surgery. While many of these operations can be performed laparoscopically (utilizing a small camera and small incisions), larger surgeries may require an incision called a laparotomy. This incision can sometimes disrupt normal muscle and tendon attachments to the abdominal wall, and can cause an incisional hernia.
Rebuilding the Abdominal Wall
Our fellowship-trained reconstructive surgeons work closely with our general surgeons to explore other options before reconstructing an abdominal wall.
When reconstruction is appropriate, the goals of the surgery are to reinforce the integrity of the abdomen, support the abdominal muscles, protect the intestines and prevent them from protruding through the abdominal wall. The aim is to produce a restored abdominal wall with enough integrity, strength and flexibility to withstand intense physical activity. This specific type of abdominal wall reconstruction generally has an extremely low rate of relapse, meaning the results are likely to last for a lifetime.
Abdominal reconstructive surgery may involve several procedures to restore the anatomy of the abdomen and improve function and appearance.
Craniomaxillofacial trauma is injury to the complex soft tissues or fractures of the underlying skeleton of the head and face. The goal of reconstructive surgery is to repair the damaged bones and restore the patient’s facial appearance and function.
Our plastic surgeons have experience in craniofacial surgeries, specifically ones involving craniomaxillofacial trauma. By correctly diagnosing and treating facial fractures, our surgeons can prevent permanent functional and cosmetic deformities to a patient’s head and face. Although there are a number of surgical techniques used to treat craniomaxillofacial trauma, advances in craniofacial surgery are offering new hope for patients with pre-existing post-traumatic deformities.
For individuals whose skin has been left scarred after injury, scar revision may help to improve appearance and overall self-confidence. Scar revision is intended to reduce the appearance of the scar so that it is consistent with the surrounding tone and texture of the skin. Treatment options for scar revision may vary based on the type and degree of scarring.
Our plastic surgeons understand the complexity of scar revision surgeries. Since there are a number of treatments for scar revision, your plastic surgeon will recommend the one that’s best for you. Treatments may include:
- Simple topical treatments
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Surgical revision using advanced techniques
Our team consisting of surgical oncologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists and oncologists are experts in diagnosing as well as determining the most appropriate procedure for treating patients with skin cancer.
Quick facts about skin cancer treatment
- Treatment of skin cancer, much like any form of cancer, may require surgery to remove cancerous growths.
- Your plastic surgeon can surgically remove cancerous and other skin lesions using specialized techniques to preserve your health and appearance.
- Although no surgery is without scars, your plastic surgeon will make every effort to treat your skin cancer without dramatically changing your appearance.
- For some people, reconstruction may require more than one procedure to achieve the best results.
Severe upper or lower extremity trauma can be a devastating injury, resulting in significant impaired function. Injuries such as complex open fractures, injuries involving loss of skin and soft tissue, and amputations can frequently be successfully reconstructed leading to optimal outcomes and restored appearance for patients.
Our plastic surgeons have the capabilities to address some of the most complex upper and lower extremity reconstructive surgeries. By utilizing advanced surgical and microsurgical techniques available, they have dramatically improved the treatment of complex limb injuries and patient’s overall satisfaction.
Albany Medical Center’s facial plastic surgeons are dual trained by Facial Plastic Surgery and ENT/Head and Neck Surgery. This makes them uniquely suited to address cosmetic, reconstructive, and functional concerns affecting the face, head, and neck.
Our fellowship trained surgeons work with experts in other medical specialties to diagnose and treat patients with medical issues that could be the result of a congenital defect (something you are born with) or acquired, such as trauma from a car accident or related to the normal aging process.
Training the Next Generation of Physicians
Learn more about our graduate medical education program in Plastic Surgery.
