Reconstructive Procedures

Dr Timms has a particular interest and specialisation in reconstructive surgery, particularly reconstructive breast surgery. His approach combines his experience with consultation, care and compassion. He performs a number of reconstructive procedures, including:

• Breast reconstruction (either immediately following mastectomy, or delayed)
• Skin cancer surgery
• Review, reconstruction and/or correction of previous surgeries
• Hand surgery – medical (e.g. Dupuytren’s, carpal tunnel) and trauma-related

After undergoing surgery for breast cancer, or having voluntary preventative mastectomy/mastectomies, many women choose to have reconstruction to restore the size, shape and symmetry of their breasts.

Breast reconstruction can be performed to restore symmetry to your breasts after a lumpectomy, or to rebuild one or both of your breasts after a single or double mastectomy. If possible, it is helpful to see Dr Timms before your cancer surgery, as reconstruction can sometimes be performed at the same time (immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy).

In other cases, such as when further surgery might interfere with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, reconstruction can be performed months or even years later (delayed breast reconstruction following mastectomy).

During your consultation, Dr Timms will discuss the different types of surgery that can be used to reconstruct the breast(s). There are two basic methods of reconstruction:

• Flap reconstruction involves the use of your own tissues, such as skin/fat from your back or abdomen, to rebuild the breast.
• Implant reconstruction involves the reconstruction of the breast by inserting a temporary implant called a tissue expander (TE). This implant is slowly expanded with sterile fluid, usually once per week, to encourage gradual stretching of the breast tissue and skin. In some cases, an air expander can also be used to expand the skin in preparation for an implant. When the breast has reached an appropriate size and volume (determined in consultation with Dr Timms), surgery is then planned to remove the TE and replace it with a permanent breast implant.

We often recommend a course of LLLT using our standalone Healite II LED be undertaken both before and after surgery to help with healing time. This can also assist with pain relief, inflammation, bruising and scarring.

A nipple reconstruction is often the final stage of breast reconstructive surgery, following staged surgeries.

This is usually an aesthetic choice, and not all women feel the need to have reconstruction of their nipple. But this procedure, combined with areola tattooing, is now commonly used to meet the patient’s preference.

Dr Timms accepts referrals from general practitioners (GPs) and Dermatologists to review patients with skin cancers. Depending on the nature and size of the skin cancer, treatment can be undertaken by Dr Timms either within his consulting rooms or within the hospital setting.

Dr Timms also removes lesions that patients find either undesirable or irritating. Depending on the size and how many lesions there are, Dr Timms can either perform the procedure within his consulting rooms or within the hospital setting.

Whether performed in Australia or overseas, surgical procedures can sometimes produce unsatisfactory results. This can lead to medical complications and other ongoing issues.

Dr Timms specialises in reviewing, reconstructing and correcting these results for patients. We have built a reputation for successfully correcting previous surgeries, including but not limited to:

• Breast augmentation mammoplasty
• Breast reduction mammoplasty
• Breast lift mastopexy
• Breast reconstruction
• Other breast surgery
• Scar revisions for less than favourable scars

Dr Timms is experienced in treating a wide variety of hand conditions. These include traumatic (injury-related acute or chronic) or acquired conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s contractures.