Dr Timms has a particular interest and specialised expertise in reconstructive surgery, particularly reconstructive breast surgery. His approach combines his significant experience with extensive 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
Reconstructive Procedures
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:
We often recommend a course of LLLT using our standalone Healite II LED be undertaken both before and after surgery to improve healing time. This can also assist with pain relief and reduce 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 and can significantly improve the appearance of the breast reconstruction.
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.
Correction of previous surgeries
Whether performed in Australia or overseas, surgical procedures can sometimes produce unsatisfactory results. Apart from possible medical complications, this can be life-changing in terms of its negative impact on self-confidence.
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:
Hand and wrist surgery – medical and trauma-related
Dr Timms is highly specialised to treat 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.