breast reconstruction surgery | Franklyn Elliott, M.D.

April 17, 2017

Why Should I Consider Autologous Breast Reconstruction?

Blog, Breast Cancer, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Surgery, Educational autologous breast reconstruction Atlanta, breast reconstruction Atlanta, breast reconstruction procedure Atlanta, breast reconstruction surgery, tram flap atlanta

Breast reconstruction can be a tough pill to swallow. I understand why the idea of additional surgery after a mastectomy may feel overwhelming. But a breast reconstruction procedure can play a vital role in helping a woman emotionally recover and take back control of her body following her battle with breast cancer. And for many women who opt for breast reconstruction, rebuilding the breast with your own natural tissue (also known as autologous reconstruction) can be an appealing option.

Rather than using breast implants; autologous breast reconstruction transfers the patient’s own fat and sometimes skin and muscle from the abdomen, back, or another area to the chest and shapes it into a new breast. Some patients prefer the natural look and feel of breasts reconstructed with tissue flaps. Breasts reconstructed with autologous reconstruction will behave like natural breasts, even fluctuating in size after weight gain or loss. While every surgery has its own risks, autologous reconstruction does not carry the risk of implant-related complications, nor does it require the maintenance exams that implants do.

Autologous breast reconstruction is a complex procedure that requires experience, technical expertise, and a seasoned eye. Unlike implant-based reconstruction, autologous reconstruction requires reconnecting tissue and restoring blood supply in a very intricate and precise way. During consultation, we will determine if autologous breast reconstruction is right for you.

I offer my patients a number of choices for autologous reconstruction using either a TRAM flap (abdominal tissue) or latissimus flap (back tissue). I perform two types of TRAM flap techniques, the pedicled TRAM flap and free TRAM flap, depending on the unique needs of each patient. Though both TRAM flaps use fat, muscle, and sometimes skin from the abdomen to form a new breast, during a pedicled TRAM flap procedure the tissue remains connected to its original area, whereas the free TRAM flap involves completely removing the tissue from the body and reattaching it to the blood vessels in the chest.

Regardless of which breast reconstruction surgery a patient chooses, the end goal is always the same: to make the physical changes necessary to help each patient feel whole again following their mastectomy. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I take great pride in providing my patients with the chance for a fresh start after breast cancer. If you are interested in breast reconstruction or another type of plastic and reconstructive surgery and would like to know more, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a consultation today. You can also follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more helpful tips and cosmetic surgery information.

March 5, 2014

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon Honors Breast Reconstruction Pioneer with Live Surgery and Honorary Lecture at the 2014 Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium

Blog, Breast Surgery, Whats Happening with Dr. Elliott atlanta breast reconstruction, Atlanta breast surgery, Atlanta breast surgery symposium, atlanta plastic surgeon, atlanta plastic surgery, breast reconstruction surgery, Reconstructive surgeon atlanta

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. L. Franklyn Elliott performs the latest TRAM flap breast reconstruction technique and delivers the honorary Hartrampf lecture to celebrate Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C.’s legacy at the 30th Annual Breast Symposium.

dr franklyn elliott This year, Northside Hospital and the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS) hosted the annual Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium to keep cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgeons around the globe updated with the most precise and efficient breast surgery approaches, tools, and technologies. The first symposium was held nearly 30 years ago, founded by Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Carl Hartrampf, who developed the TRAM Flap method of breast reconstruction.

Serving alongside Dr. Hartrampf as an Emeritus chairman, L. Franklyn Elliott, M.D. participated in the symposium in a live telecasted surgery and various discussion panels. The Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium is the only international meeting showcasing live demonstrations of the latest surgical techniques performed at Northside Hospital by world-wide leaders. Within the first day of the meeting, Dr. Elliott performed a bilateral TRAM flap surgery using the Hartrampf technique. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous) surgery utilizes a portion of the patient’s abdominal fat, muscle, and skin to reconstruct a removed or mastectomy-affected breast. The TRAM flap method is unique because the constructed breast retains its own blood supply and sustains a patient’s own tissue. The revolutionary method of breast reconstruction tends to result in a more symmetrical, natural-looking breast than breasts reconstructed using implants positioned beneath the skin.

After participating in a panel discussing the differences in unilateral and bilateral TRAM reconstruction, Dr. Elliott gave the honorary Hartrampf lecture, touching on the “retrospectoscope,” an informal term in medicine for reviewing various operations and their results. But in this case Dr. Elliott reviewed the step by step development of the TRAM flap by Dr. Hartrampf and those chiefly at Emory who helped with its development. He then reviewed his career in association with Dr. Hartrampf enumerating their multiple contributions including the triceps flap, the Rubens flap, the Lateral Transverse Thigh Flap, and the Free Tram flap all significant additions to the plastic surgeons tools for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The lecture celebrates Dr. Hartrampf’s continuing legacy, reflecting on the developments made in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery and the spark for innovation ignited by Dr. Hartrampf. “There is no question that the development of the TRAM flap by Dr. Hartrampf is a substantial contribution to the future of breast reconstruction that deserves to be celebrated,” Dr. Elliott noted of the lecture.

For the remainder of the weekend, Dr. Elliott, who has participated in the symposium for 25 years, served as moderator on various panels covering subjects such as breast augmentation, breast revision, and mastopexy. Additionally, Dr. Elliott led a discussion covering problem cases from the audience, where surgeons could address real-life patient issues and find viable solutions from their colleagues.

Recognized by several aesthetic medicine manufacturers and supported by three of the major professional plastic surgery organizations, the 2014 Annual Breast Surgery Symposium’s findings are expected to directly shape and inspire the future of aesthetic and reconstructive medicine.

About Dr. Franklyn Elliott: Franklyn Elliott, M.D. is an Atlanta board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon that has been providing exceptional cosmetic and reconstructive surgery results to his patients for over thirty years. Serving Atlanta, Georgia’s Northside and Alpharetta areas, Dr. Elliott performs a range of facial, body and breast procedures. He has a specialized interest in developing new cosmetic surgery techniques, breast reconstruction procedures, and post bariatric cosmetic surgery. This year, Dr. Elliott was given the distinct honor of joining the Best Doctors in America® 2014 Database, a list of clinically and academically accomplished medical practitioners, researchers, and teachers that represents only the top 5% in the United States.

About Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium: An educational conference geared toward advancing the knowledge and skill of all aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgeons around the globe, the Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium is hosted by the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS) and sets the precedence for breast surgery advancements. Originally founded in 1984 by Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C.’s Dr. Carl Hartrampf, the three-day event features live surgical demonstrations, lectures on emerging breast reconstruction techniques, and expert question and answer panels. In addition to SESPRS, the Breast Symposium is endorsed by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. (ASAPS), The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Visit sesprs.org for symposium details.

May 21, 2013

New Study Discusses How Breast Cancer Spreads

Blog, Breast Cancer, Latest News Atlanta breast reconstruction surgeon, board certified plastic surgeon, breast cancer, breast cancer removal, breast cancer research, breast cancer survivors, breast reconstruction, breast reconstruction in Atlanta, breast reconstruction surgery, drugs for breast cancer, plastic surgery

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. As a prominent concern for a wide-range of women, continued research is beneficial in bringing breast cancer awareness and education to the forefront. Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Franklyn Elliott stays abreast of the latest breast cancer research as many of his patients are breast cancer survivors. breast-reconstruction-atlanta

From previous research it is known that women with denser breasts are at higher risk for breast cancer, however, recent research has now discovered why breast cancer patients with dense breasts are more likely to develop aggressive tumors that may spread.

Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine studied mouse models of breast cancer and breast tumor samples from patients. They found that a protein sits on the surface of tumor cells, binds to collagen and activates a multi-step pathway that encourages tumor cells to spread. This protein is known as DDR2 and is one factor that contributes to maintaining high levels of the protein, SNAIL 1, inside the tumor cell’s nucleus, which is required for cell spread. This new research is important in developing drugs that may be able to stop the invasion of these cancerous tumors and reduce metastasis.

Breast density and skin elasticity can also be a factor for breast reconstruction patients as certain reconstructive surgery options, like breast reconstruction with an implant, may be more difficult if there is not a lot of tissue remaining after cancer removal or if the remaining skin doesn’t easily stretch.

Breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer removal remains one of Dr. Elliott’s passions; he has been performing both plastic and reconstructive surgery for over 25 years. If you are interested in learning more about your breast reconstruction options please call our office. Connect with Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest plastic surgery news and information.