Reconstructive surgery Perth

Reconstructive surgery procedures: what you need to know

You may be recovering from surgery, an accident, or dealing with a congenital difference. In all of these cases, reconstructive surgery may be performed to help restore function and support recovery from physical changes.

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Dr Jeremy Rawlins

Located at Murdoch Square

Treatment by a qualified specialist surgeon

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What is reconstructive surgery?

Though the focus is on repairing and restoring, we also improve appearance if this is necessary. With reconstructive surgery, these two objectives often go hand in hand.

"Though the focus is on repairing and restoring, we also improve appearance if this is necessary. With reconstructive surgery, these two objectives often go hand in hand."
Dr Jeremy RawlinsReconstructive Surgeon Perth

Types of reconstructive surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery: for women who have had a mastectomy or partial mastectomy

Reconstructive surgery after skin cancer and melanoma: for people who have had skin cancer surgery

Reconstructive upper limb and hand surgery

Lower limb reconstruction

Maxillofacial reconstruction

Burn reconstruction and scar revision

Breast reconstruction surgery

You may have had a mastectomy or a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy). Or you may soon have a mastectomy because you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, or at very high risk of developing it. In these cases, you may want to know your options to rebuild your breast or breasts.

"There are two types of breast reconstruction. We either use a breast implant (implant based reconstruction) or we use tissue from another part of your body (autologous or flap reconstruction) to reshape your breast. We may use a combination of techniques in some patients."
Dr Jeremy RawlinsBreast Reconstruction Surgeon Perth

During a breast reconstruction procedure we can also reconstruct your nipple. We will make a small incision at the site where the nipple will be made and form it into a nipple shape. About three months after the surgery the new nipple and areola can be tattooed.

"It’s understandable to feel anxious when considering reconstruction after breast cancer surgery. During our consultation, I’ll talk you through the available options and support you in choosing an approach that aligns with your goals and recovery."
Dr Jeremy RawlinsBreast Reconstruction Surgeon Perth

Though breast reconstruction restores the shape of your breast, it won’t restore the sensation to the breast or the nipple. Over time, sensation might come back, but it won’t be the same as it was before the mastectomy.

Reconstructive surgery after skin cancer and melanoma

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia. Many skin cancers are removed surgically, and when caught early, treatment is usually straightforward. Most are non-melanoma skin cancers, which tend not to spread beyond the original site.

For a melanoma, a highly malignant type of skin cancer, we often need to make a much wider and deeper excision. In many cases, this will require a skin graft or skin flap to repair the defect.

Melanoma can also spread through your body, and to find out if it has, we may do extra investigations.

Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy: this is a surgical procedure to check if the melanoma has spread to your lymphatic system. During a sentinel lymph node procedure, we identify the sentinel lymph node, which is the first lymph node to which cancer cells may have spread. We will remove this node, and examine it to check if cancer cells are present.

Reconstructive upper limb and hand surgery

The hand is made up of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves, making it one of the most complex parts of the body. Because many of these structures are just a few millimetres in diameter, microsurgery is often used to repair them.

When is reconstructive hand surgery needed?

Trauma: You may have an injury caused by an accident or a fracture

Infection: Infection often happens in patients with diabetes because of poor blood circulation

Overuse: injuries An example is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Congenital deformities: These deformities are present at birth

Degenerative conditions: Dupuytrens contracture, arthritis

Lower limb reconstruction

Lower limb reconstruction is often referred to as lower extremity reconstruction. It involves the leg, thigh and foot. You may need reconstructive surgery because you have seriously injured your lower limb, because cancer has been removed or because of a large chronic wound. No matter what motivates your surgeon to recommend a reconstructive procedure, the goal of lower limb reconstruction is to avoid amputation and to improve form and function.

"First we focus on restoring normal blood circulation and critical structures such as blood vessels and nerves. Then we look if we need to move tissue from other parts of your body to the affected area. A skin graft or muscle/tissue flaps from surrounding skin may be necessary."
Dr Jeremy RawlinsReconstruction Surgeon Perth

Complex lower limb trauma often requires complex reconstructive techniques to ‘save the limb.

"In some cases, we may replace bone using grafts taken from another part of the body. This involves reconnecting blood vessels through microsurgery. These techniques are used to restore structure and support healing in complex injuries"
Dr Jeremy RawlinsReconstruction Surgeon Perth

Maxillofacial reconstruction

Trauma, burns, infection and cancer surgery can affect facial function and your appearance.

"To reconstruct facial structures, we may use skin, bone, or muscle from another part of your body. This involves reconnecting blood vessels to support tissue survival. In some cases, implants or prosthetics may be used to restore form and support function."
Dr Jeremy RawlinsReconstruction Surgeon Perth

Burn care

Reconstructive surgery is often required in the field of burn care to address restricted movement and skin changes. These procedures may support improved function and, in some cases, help reduce the visibility of scars.

"In burn care, I offer a range of reconstructive approaches depending on the severity and stage of healing. My clinical focus continues to evolve with advances in burn surgery and scar management"
Dr Jeremy RawlinsReconstruction Surgeon Perth

Burns reconstruction and acute burn care is a personal passion for Dr Rawlins, and he is involved in local, national and international research in this area. Jeremy Rawlins is the President of the Australia/New Zealand Burn Association.

Why Dr Jeremy Rawlins as your preferred Perth reconstructive surgeon?

In Perth, Dr Jeremy Rawlins is proud to offer bespoke reconstructive plastic surgery, and he is known for his surgical expertise in complex plastic surgery procedures. Highly technical work helps him maintain and expand his skill set and techniques. But it’s also about communicating with you as a person.

Dr Jeremy Rawlins - Reconstructive surgeon Perth

"What I value in my work - beyond delivering excellent surgical care to every patient - is clear communication. I believe you deserve to be heard. I also believe I am a good listener and my patients tell me that they appreciate my efforts to give them clear information. It’s about your health, and your reconstructive journey."
Dr Jeremy RawlinsPlastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Reconstructive surgery is performed to restore function after disease or trauma (injury). Typically, reconstructive plastic surgery is medically necessary. That’s why it is covered by most private health policies.

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Quick Jump

What is reconstructive surgery?

Breast reconstruction surgery

Reconstructive surgery after skin cancer and melanoma

Reconstructive upper limb and hand surgery

Lower limb reconstruction

Maxillofacial reconstruction

Burn care

Why Dr Jeremy Rawlins as your preferred Perth reconstructive surgeon?

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Locations

Dr Jeremy Rawlins is consulting & operating at:

Murdoch Square

Suite 104, Level 1, Tower C
44 Barry Marshall Parade
Murdoch, WA 6150

Phone number

08 9425 5260

Office hours

Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm
Closed for public holidays