UCHealth Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic - Fort Collins

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please read our visitation policy to help with the planning of your visit.

Hours
Monday: 8am – 4:30pm
Tuesday: 8am – 4:30pm
Wednesday: 8am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 8am – 4:30pm
Friday: 8am – 4:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Your team
Nathan Narasimhan, MD, FACS
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Plastic Surgery

Lauren Akahoshi, PA-C
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Surgery - Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

Aaron Frye, MD
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Plastic Surgery

Your providers at the UCHealth Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic – Fort Collins want you to feel confident, informed, and comfortable with your decision to have a surgical procedure.

Our objectives are to maintain your good health and to assure your satisfaction with all aspects of your experience.

Every member of our team takes pride in providing you with the highest level of service and medical care, from your first encounter through your last post-operative visit. We want to know if your experience is anything other than optimal.

Your initial consultation

This is your appointment to meet with the surgeon and establish rapport. You will complete a form regarding your prior medical history before the consultation. If the area of concern is covered by clothing, you may be asked to partially undress and put on a gown, so that the surgeon will be able to examine the area.

During the consultation, you should discuss your present problem and goals. The surgeon will ask you about details and relevant information in your past history, and will perform an examination. Photographs may be taken for your medical record and also possibly submitted for insurance pre-authorization if required.

Once this important information has been gathered, the surgeon will explain the specifics of your condition and discuss the options available for treatment. The surgeon will also present the pros and cons of different options and the potential side effects and complications.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions. We suggest you start a list of these as they come to mind; physical restrictions after surgery, recovery time, ability to care for yourself post-operatively, concerns regarding planned travel, events or vacations, etc.

If after the consultation you decide to move forward with your procedure, we will contact your insurance (if applicable) and start the process of obtaining your benefits. After we receive a response from your insurance, one of our surgery schedulers will contact you to coordinate a date.

If your procedure is of a cosmetic nature, you will be sent a quote regarding the fees. When you are ready to proceed, simply contact the surgery scheduler to coordinate a date.

Conditions and treatments

Hands

When a problem takes place in the hand, care must be given to all the different types of tissues that make function of the hand possible. Hand surgeons are specifically trained to provide that care.

  • Amputations and replantation.
  • Animal bites and infection treatment.
  • Arthritis and joint replacement.
  • Birth defects.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome– open and endoscopic.
  • Claw hand and other finger and hand deformities.
  • Cysts, skin cancer and tumor excision.
  • DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis.
  • Dupytren’s Contracture – surgical and XiaFlex treatment (non-surgical).
  • Fractures and sprains.
  • Laceration repairs.
  • Scar contracture revisions.
  • Tendon, Nerve and Blood vessel repair.
  • Tendonitis.
  • Trigger Finger.
Head and face
  • Cheek and chin implants.
  • Cleft lip, palate, nose.
  • Ear surgery and repair.
  • Eyelid surgery.
  • Facelift.
  • Forehead lift.
  • Lip augmentation.
  • Nose surgery.
  • Trauma and congenital reconstruction.
Torso and extremities
  • Abdominoplasty.
  • Breast surgery.
  • Breast implants.
  • Breast lift.
  • Breast reconstruction.
  • Breast reduction.
  • Burns and burn scar reconstruction.
  • Grafts and flaps for tissue deficit coverage.
  • Liposuction.
  • Recontouring with fat grafts.
  • Removal of moles, cysts, lipomas.
  • Resection melanoma and sentinel node identification and biopsy.
  • Scar revision.
  • Skin cancer ablation and reconstruction.
  • Tattoo removal.
  • Trauma and congenital reconstruction.

Surgical procedures

Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery changes your appearance by altering parts of your body that function normally but don’t look the way you want. Before you proceed with cosmetic surgery, consider:

Your expectations. Anticipate improvement, not perfection. If you expect cosmetic surgery to turn you into a movie star, you’re bound to be disappointed. Don’t count on surgery to save a rocky relationship, gain a promotion or improve your social life.

Expense. Cosmetic surgery isn’t covered by most health insurance plans. The cost varies depending on the procedure, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Also consider the cost of any follow-up care or additional corrective procedures.

Risks. Dissatisfaction is possible after any type of cosmetic surgery. Surgical complications are possible, too — including excessive bleeding or infection at the surgical site.

Recovery. After cosmetic surgery, you may need days, weeks or even months to recover. Understand the physical effects that may be part of your recovery, as well as how the surgery may affect aspects of your personal and professional life.

Psychological changes. Your self-esteem might improve after cosmetic surgery, but cosmetic surgery isn’t likely to relieve depression or other mental health conditions.

Meeting your surgeon

When you’ve narrowed your choice of surgeons, schedule a consultation. The surgeon will evaluate the part of your body that you want treated, and you’ll share your medical history, list any medications you’re taking, and discuss your desires and expectations.

During the initial consultation, ask the surgeon:

  • Am I a good candidate for this procedure? Why or why not?
  • Are there treatments other than surgery that might work just as well or better for me?
  • How many times have you done this procedure? What were the results?
  • Can you share photos or diagrams to help me understand the procedure and the expected results?
  • Can the desired effect be accomplished in one procedure, or do you anticipate multiple procedures?
  • What are the specific surgical options? What are the pros and cons for each?
  • What type of anesthetic will be used? How will it affect me?
  • Will I be hospitalized? If so, for how long?
  • What are the possible complications?
  • How will my progress be monitored after surgery? What follow-up care will I receive?
  • How much will the procedure cost?
  • How often is “touch-up” surgery needed? Is it covered in the cost estimate?

The closer you work with your surgeon to establish specific, measurable and achievable goals before surgery, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the results. Remember, though, even if you’ve done your homework and found a surgeon you like — at a price you can afford — the decision to pursue cosmetic surgery is yours and yours alone. Make sure you’re absolutely comfortable with the surgeon and committed to your treatment choices.

Reconstructive surgery

Reconstructive surgery is a type of plastic surgery. It is performed to reshape abnormal structures of the body to improve function and appearance. Reconstructive surgery is a different kind of plastic surgery than cosmetic surgery, which is performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve a patient’s appearance and self-esteem.

Purpose

The goals of reconstructive surgery are to reshape abnormal structures of the body, to improve function, and/or to allow a person to have a more normal appearance.

Abnormal structures of the body that are corrected during reconstructive surgery may be the result of birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumors, or disease. The three most commonly performed reconstructive surgeries in the United States are tumor ablation (removal) and reconstruction, hand surgery, and breast reconstruction.

Precautions

Reconstructive surgery should not be performed on patients who are not healthy enough to withstand a surgical procedure performed under general anesthetic.

  • People with severe diabetes, an autoimmune disorder such as AIDS, or a suppressed immune system should not undergo reconstructive surgery.
  • This type of surgery is also contraindicated in patients with a history of excessive smoking, obesity, poor wound healing, abnormal scarring and/or a bleeding disorder.
  • Women who are pregnant should not undergo reconstructive surgeries.
  • Patients who have received recent irradiation treatments (generally within the last three to six months) should not undergo surgical procedures involving these tissues. Recently irradiated tissue is highly prone to infection and has poorer wound healing.
Microsurgery

Microsurgical procedures are performed on parts of the body that are best visualized under a microscope. Examples of such structures are small blood vessels, nerves, and tubes. Microsurgery uses techniques that have been performed by surgeons since the early twentieth century, such as blood vessel repair and organ transplantation, but under conditions that make traditional vascular surgery difficult or impossible.

Non-surgical treatments

Botox

Botox® is very effective in treating finer lines between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and for crow’s feet. It has a very low allergic reaction percentage and minimal side effects. It is not a filler. It prevents (paralyzes) muscle movement that creates furrows. If the lines are deep, a filler (Juvederm) might be recommended in conjunction with Botox.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels use glycolic acid and alpha hydroxyacids, known as “fruit acid” because they are found naturally in fruit. The treatment exfoliates excess build-up of dead cells that gives the skin a dull thick appearance. Offers quicker results than microdermabrasion and is effective after surgical procedures such as a facelift or blepharoplasty.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is used to lessen the appearance of acne, surgical or injury scars and fine line wrinkles. In this treatment, a specialist uses a controlled surgical “sanding/scraping” away of the outermost layer of skin using a special tool. The surgeon determines the safest level that will soften the edges of surface irregularities and refinish the skin’s top layers.

Juvederm

Juvederm® is a filler for deeper furrows and wrinkles. It’s an effective non invasive procedure for those who do not want a facelift. Results usually last approximately nine months to a year. Treatments will need to be repeated to maintain appearance.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion can be used for facial, de’colletage, hands and scarred areas. The body sees it as an injury to the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin) and begins to reproduce fresh cells. It uses multifaceted crystals delivered at a variable rate of suction/flow to provide the optimal level of power and deliver the best results. Once a series is completed, monthly maintenance is recommended.

Radiesse

Radiesse uses injectable volumizing filler that and helps stimulate your body to produce collagen. It is used to fill deeper areas than Juvaderm. It is best for areas over bony areas of the face such as forehead, chin and cheekbones. Your surgeon will determine which filler is most appropriate for your situation.