Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery services

The plastic surgeons within the Lovelace Health System offer a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery services tailored to meet your individual needs. We also specialize in skin rejuvenation, providing services like botox, fillers, and other dermatological treatments. If you’re seeking a more thorough service, our skilled plastic surgeons are adept at cosmetic surgery services like breast augmentation and reductions, rhinoplasty, facelifts, liposuction, tummy tucks, and more. Whether you need reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy or are curious about our aesthetic procedures, our plastic surgery center is dedicated to providing compassionate care and state-of-the-art treatments to help you look and feel your best.

To learn more about our services, or to schedule an appointment, please call (505) 727-1700.

Our plastic surgery treatments

We offer a variety of surgical treatments, ranging from face and skin rejuvenation treatments to reconstructive surgery, breast surgery, hand, body, and cosmetic surgery.

We offer the following services for the body:

  • Adjacent tissue transfer
  • Arm & thigh lifts
  • Body contouring (after weight loss)
  • Buttock lift
  • Ear/earlobe surgery
  • Excision of skin cancer
  • Fat grafting to the buttock
  • Liposuction
  • Scar revision
  • Transgender care
  • Tummy tucks

Our face and skin rejuvenation services include:

  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
  • Botox injections
  • Chemical peels
  • Dermabrasion
  • Facial peel
  • Facelift
  • Facial reconstruction
  • Facial rejuvenation
  • Forehead and brow lifts
  • Laser skin resurfacing
  • Lip enhancement
  • Repair of brow ptosis and blepharoptosis
  • Restylane injections

Please call us to learn more about our plastic surgery and skin rejuvenation services.

Breast augmentation

Our highly skilled plastic surgeon, Jeff Morehouse, M.D., at Lovelace Medical Group Plastic Surgery, specializes in breast augmentation surgery, also known as breast implant surgery or augmentation mammaplasty. This procedure involves using implants to fulfill a patient's desire for fuller breasts or to restore volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy.

There are many factors to discuss when considering breast implant surgery. Lovelace Medical Group’s expert and attentive team is here to help you make an informed and confident decision. At the initial consultation, your health history will be reviewed and the procedures you are interested in will be explained in great detail. Any alternative procedures, as well as the risks and benefits of surgery will be discussed.

After an extensive discussion, you and Dr. Morehouse will arrive at the surgical plan that will best achieve your goals. It is our goal that you leave this initial visit with a clear understanding of your surgical options, so you may make an informed decision.

What Breast Implant Options Are Available?

Lovelace Medical Group performs breast enhancement procedures using the latest silicone, saline, and cohesive gel (‘gummy bear’) breast implants available on the market. Each option is FDA approved and composed of biocompatible material.

  • Cohesive gel (‘gummy bear’) implants: Cohesive gel implants are filled with a thick gel that has a similar feel and consistency as gummy bear candy. These implants produce a very natural looking outcome and are more consistent with normal breast tissue.
  • Saline implants: Saline implants are filled with sterile saline, a natural mixture of salt and water. Breast augmentation procedures that use saline implants require smaller incisions as the implant is filled after being placed within the body.
  • Silicone implants: Composed of a thick silicone gel that feels similar to human fat, silicone implants have a very natural look and feel. Silicone implants are currently the most popular type of implant used in our practice.

Breast implants are offered in varying sizes, shell texture, and shapes to accommodate different body types and volumetric increases. Your body type, chest size, density of breast tissue, and desired outcome will help determine the implant size and shape. After discussing your desired size goals we will measure your chest and nipple position and determine which implants will best help you reach your goal.

Implants can be placed either above the muscle or below the muscle. The incision for placement can be made around the nipple, in the armpit, or in the crease of the breast. There are pros and cons to each location. Prior to surgery, you will consult with Dr. Morehouse to discuss your options and concerns regarding the procedure.

Breast reconstruction

Reconstruction of the breast involves recreating the breast form following its removal for cancer. Although the reconstruction will not function just like a normal breast, restoration of the breast form and recreation of symmetry has many immeasurable psychological and quality-of-life benefits.

Facing breast cancer can be overwhelming, but our specialists aim to make your breast reconstruction journey as positive as possible. Reconstruction of the breast can be empowering. Recent advances in surgery allow for exciting, state-of-the-art options that were not available even a few years ago.

We offer a broad spectrum of breast-reconstruction options, including:

  • Delayed reconstruction, where the final results can be very comparable to immediate reconstruction
  • Immediate breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, which offers the advantage of preserving as much of the breast skin envelope as possible, maximizing cosmesis and retaining as much of the breast’s own skin as possible
  • Surgery to revise a previous procedure

For patients undergoing breast cancer treatment, we will coordinate care with your physician to ensure you are receiving the best care possible. Breast-reconstruction surgery should never delay or affect cancer treatments.

Breast reduction

Overly large breasts can lead to neck and back pain, skin issues, breathing issues, and even long term posture issues. Many women with large or heavy breasts feel self-conscious to a point where their quality of life is impacted.

Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty, can effectively reduce breast size through the removal of excess breast tissue. This surgical procedure involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue to reduce breast size; eliminating the negative issues associated with overly large breasts. Often, a breast reduction procedure can enhance the aesthetics of the breast by creating an improved shape and making the breast more proportional to the rest of the body.

Breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure begins with the surgeon making incisions around the areola, down the bottom of the breast, and in the fold under the breast. The nipple is then repositioned and, if desired, the surface area of the areola can be reduced through excision. The surgeon then removes and reshapes targeted excess breast tissue. The incisions are closed with sutures.

What to expect after breast reduction surgery

Many women experience light to moderate breast pain and swelling over the first few days following the procedure. During this period the breasts are wrapped in bandages and supported using a surgical bra. Pain stemming from the procedure usually subsides within a week, while swelling may last 4 to 8 weeks post procedure.

Most women are able to return to work and normal activities within 2 weeks of the procedure. Vigorous activities such as heavy weight lifting or strenuous aerobic exercise can begin 4 to 6 weeks from the procedure.

Breast reduction does leave a permanent scar in the incision area. However, most scars are placed in positions that are easily covered by a swimsuit top or bra. Scarring fades over time or can be minimized through scar removal treatments.