Plastic Surgery

Overview

Lovelace Medical Group’s outstanding American Board of Plastic Surgery board-certified physician, Dr. Jeffrey Morehouse and our superb team of medical professionals and support staff help patients feel more confident in their appearances. We provide exceptional care in a full array of cosmetic plastic surgery, including breast augmentation and other breast enhancement procedures, body contouring, mommy makeovers, surgical facial procedures and treatments, BOTOX and other injectables.

Our Services

• Adjacent Tissue Transfer
• Arm & Thigh Lifts
• Blepharoplasty
• Body Contouring (After Weight Loss)
• Botox® Injection
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift Surgery
• Breast Reconstruction
• Breast Reduction
• Buttock Lift
• Chemical Peel
• Dermabrasion
• Ear/Earlobe surgery
• Excision of Skin Cancer
• Eyelid Surgery
• Facelift
• Facial Peel
• Facial Reconstruction
• Facial Rejuvenation, Advanced, Laser
• Fat Grafting to the Buttock
• Forehead and brow lifts
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• Lip Enhancement
• Liposuction
• Repair of Brow Ptosis and Blepharoptosis
• Restylane® Injections
• Scar Revision
• Transgender Care
• Tummy tucks

Breast Reconstruction

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Reconstruction of the breast involves recreating the breast form following its removal for cancer. Although the reconstruction will not function just like a normal breast, restoration of the breast form and recreation of symmetry has many immeasurable psychological and quality-of-life benefits.

Breast reconstruction helps to restore a woman’s sense of body image after facing breast cancer treatment, and can also enhance self-esteem and self-confidence, a sense of femininity and being complete as a woman.

While facing breast cancer and all the potential treatment that accompanies it can be overwhelming, we aim to help make the breast reconstruction journey as positive as possible for our patients. Reconstruction of the breast can be empowering. Recent advances in surgery allow for exciting, state-of-the-art options that were not available even a few years ago.

Individualized Options and Reconstruction Plans

We offer a broad spectrum of breast-reconstruction options. Surgeons talk to each patient about options to help her make the best decision based on her health, future breast cancer treatments, projected recovery time, body shape, and other factors.

Also, if a patient has one breast surgically removed, we can suggest additional procedures to reshape or lift the natural breast. The goal is to match the existing breast with the reconstructed breast. We can perform reconstruction procedures in conjunction with a mastectomy or years after breast cancer treatment.

The procedures include:

• Immediate breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, which offers the advantage of preserving as much of the breast skin envelope as possible, maximizing cosmesis and retaining as much of the breast’s own skin as possible
• Delayed reconstruction, where the final results can be very comparable to immediate reconstruction
• Surgery to revise a previous procedure

For patients undergoing breast cancer treatment, we will coordinate care with other physicians. Breast-reconstruction surgery should never delay or affect cancer treatments.

Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect

The time it takes for breast reconstruction varies. Breast reconstruction typically happens in three phases. Initial reconstruction for patients with breast cancer begins in combination with (or after) surgery to remove the cancer. Refinements are made after the initial reconstruction. A nipple and areola are added as a final step.

Collaborative Approach

Jeffrey Morehouse, MD, board certified plastic surgeon, is a key member of the Lovelace Cancer Center. We partner with medical and surgical oncologists. Women who have received breast cancer treatment outside of Lovelace can also choose our experts to perform their reconstructive surgery.

Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Our highly skilled plastic surgeon, Jeff Morehouse, M.D., at Lovelace Medical Group Plastic Surgery specializes in breast augmentation surgery, also known as breast implant surgery or augmentation mammaplasty. This procedure involves using implants to fulfill a patient's desire for fuller breasts or to restore volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

There are many factors to discuss when considering breast implant surgery. Lovelace Medical Group’s expert and attentive team is here to help you make an informed and confident decision.

At the initial consultation, your health history will be reviewed and the procedures you are interested in will be explained in great detail. Any alternative procedures, as well as the risks and benefits of surgery will be discussed. You will view before and after photographs of Dr. Morehouse’s patients, and all of your questions will be answered.

During the examination, your breast width, height, and nipple position will be measured. Any differences in the breasts from left to right will be evaluated. You will have the opportunity to point out particular characteristics of your anatomy that you would like to improve or change.

After an extensive discussion, you and Dr. Morehouse will arrive at the surgical plan that will best achieve your goals. It is our commitment that you leave this initial visit with a clear understanding of your surgical options, so you may make an informed decision.

What Breast Implant Options Are Available?

Lovelace Medical Group performs breast enhancement procedures using the latest silicone, saline, and cohesive gel (‘gummy bear’) breast implants available on the market. Each option is FDA approved and composed of bio-compatible material.

• Saline Implants: Saline implants are filled with sterile saline, a natural mixture of salt and water. Breast augmentation procedures that use saline implants require smaller incisions as the implant is filled after being placed within the body.
• Silicone Implants: Composed of a thick silicone gel that feels similar to human fat, silicone implants have a very natural look and feel. Silicone implants are currently the most popular type of implant used in our practice.
• Cohesive Gel (‘Gummy Bear’) Implants: The newest generation of breast implant, cohesive gel implants are filled with a thick gel that has a similar feel and consistency as gummy bear candy. Gummy bear implants produce a very natural looking outcome and more consistent with normal breast tissue.

Breast implants are offered in varying sizes, shell texture, and shapes to accommodate different body types and volumetric increases. Your body type, chest size, density of breast tissue, and desired outcome will help determine the implant size and shape. After discussing your desired size goals we will measure your chest and nipple position and determine which implants will best help you reach your goal.

Implants can be placed either above the muscle or below the muscle. The incision for placement can be made around the nipple, in the armpit, or in the crease of the breast. There are pros and cons to each location. Prior to surgery, you will consult with Dr. Morehouse to discuss your options and concerns regarding the procedure.

How Long Does The Procedure Take?

Breast augmentation surgery typically takes about one hour and is performed under either general anesthesia.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Breast Augmentation?

Women who want to improve the size, shape, symmetry or proportion of their breasts are good candidates for the procedure. Breast augmentation can also be used to correct minimal sag.

How Quick Is The Recovery Time?

Most patients are able to return to light activities within a week. It may take six to eight weeks for breast implants to settle into their final position.

Dr. Morehouse is highly experienced in breast augmentation and has the artistic eye and surgical skill to achieve exceptionally natural-looking results that align with each patient’s unique needs and goals. He has been practicing in Albuquerque for over 25 years. Call 727.2727 to schedule your no-cost consultation.

Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction Surgery

Overly large breasts can lead to neck and back pain, skin issues, breathing issues, and even long term posture issues. Many women with large or heavy breasts feel self-conscious to a point where their quality of life is impacted.

Breast reduction surgery can effectively reduce breast size through the removal of excess breast tissue.

What Is A Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue to reduce breast size; eliminating the negative issues associated with overly large breasts. Often, a breast reduction procedure can enhance the aesthetics of the breast by creating an improved shape and making the breast more proportional to the rest of the body.

Results Of Breast Reduction Surgery

Most women are extremely happy with the result of the surgery: breasts that are smaller, firmer, and perkier. The procedure greatly relieves the physical discomfort that women typically had to endure for a long period of time.

Results are generally considered permanent, although the breasts may change in shape and size due to subsequent life events such as pregnancy or weight gain/loss.

How Is Breast Reduction Performed?

Breast reduction is be performed under general anesthesia. The procedure begins with the surgeon making incisions around the areola, down the bottom of the breast, and in the fold under the breast. The nipple is then repositioned and, if desired, the surface area of the areola can be reduced through excision. The surgeon then removes and reshapes targeted excess breast tissue. The incisions are closed with sutures.

Lifting of the breast is generally done at the time of the reduction. Other procedures such as liposuction or tummy tucks are commonly performed simultaneously to further improve the shape and contour of the torso.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Breast Reduction?

Healthy women who have oversized breasts causing physical discomfort, medical issues, or low self-esteem are ideal candidates for breast reduction surgery.

What To Expect After Breast Reduction?

Many women experience light to moderate breast pain and swelling over the first few days following the procedure. During this period the breasts are wrapped in bandages and supported using a surgical bra. Pain stemming from the procedure usually subsides within a week, while swelling may last 4 to 8 weeks post procedure.

Most women are able to return to work and normal activities within 2 weeks of the procedure. Vigorous activities such as heavy weight lifting or strenuous aerobic exercise can begin 4 to 6 weeks from the procedure.

Breast reduction does leave a permanent scar in the incision area. However, most scars are placed in positions that are easily covered by a swimsuit top or bra. Scarring fades over time or can be minimized through scar removal treatments.

Our highly skilled plastic surgeon, Jeff Morehouse, M.D., at Lovelace Medical Group Plastic Surgery is highly experienced in breast reduction with over 25 years practicing in Albuquerque. Call 727.2727 to schedule your no-cost consultation.

Videos

Procedure Videos

Lovelace Medical Group will help you have a better understanding and level of comfort about an upcoming cosmetic procedure. You'll learn how a procedure works, what to expect when you go home, what to do before and after, the risks, benefits and alternatives. You'll have the opportunity to identify questions as you think of them and discuss with your doctor during your pre-op visit. Our hope is that you will be more knowledgeable and confident throughout your treatment process.

Click a link above to play a specific video or click here to view the videos on YouTube.