Triumphing Adversity: The Story of Austin

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Working as a board certified plastic surgeon has blessed me in many ways.  I get to not only do what I love on a daily basis, but I also have the opportunity to work with some of the best patients around.  One patient in particular, Austin, is one who has truly inspired me.  His harrowing story is one that I had the pleasure of being a part of and I am excited to feature Austin in my first patient feature series.

The events that occurred on May 25, 2013 set into motion a story of adversity and triumph.  As a rising sophomore at Bremen High School, Austin led an on-the-go kind of life.  Sharing his father’s love of wrestling, Austin continued the family tradition and had his sights set on finishing the 2013 season with an individual state championship title.  On that summer day in May, Austin was involved in a four-wheeler accident that could have easily derailed his dream, but Austin’s determination would later prove otherwise.

When Austin came to me during his initial consultation, he had one of the worst orbital blowouts I had ever seen.  The left side of his face had been severely crushed: his maxillary jaw was fractured and there was essentially no eye socket left to support his eye.  His mother Jennifer recalled, “I honestly wasn’t expecting the extent of damage Dr. Moyer described.  I was petrified because it was my baby and it was his face.  One of my good friends highly recommended Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s providers to help Austin with this surgery because she had been impressed by the results her own son had.”  As a parent of two young boys myself, I genuinely connected with Jennifer’s concern for Austin and I was determined to help them during his arduous journey to recovery.

Austin’s surgery required precise execution and an experienced medical team to complete.  My team and I surgically placed three synthetic plates, eight screws and a cheek implant in a single combination procedure to restore the infrastructure to the left side of his face.  To reduce any visible scarring I was able to operate through the eye and the inside of the mouth.  As I met with Austin for several follow-ups to monitor his progress, I was elated by how quickly Austin was healing.

What really inspired me the most about Austin was what he accomplished next.  In addition to his facial procedure, Austin had broken both of his wrists and had to undergo surgery to repair those injuries.  It was uncertain if he would ever be able to wrestle again with the extent of the damage he sustained and the nature of the sport which could easily compromise his recovery.  Despite not being cleared by his physician, Austin focused on staying active and exercised every day for three months while he watched his teammates practice from the sidelines.  Just a mere two days after he was cleared, and after only one team practice, Austin was back on the mat and competed in his first dual competition late in the season.

Five weeks later he went on to secure his first GHSA Class AA state champion title for his weight class, all while wearing a protective face mask that undoubtedly made it difficult to see out of.  Jennifer described his tenacity best, “wrestling is his life, his motivation.”

Having to overcome what some might consider a large set-back served as a driving force for Austin’s success.  The focus and perseverance he exhibited is certainly something to be admired and it has been such a humbling experience to follow his journey.  Today the  family is back to their constantly on-the-go routine.  Jennifer recently shared, “We are extremely happy with Austin’s results.  Everyone who knows about the accident is amazed at his recovery and the results of his procedure, especially since there are no scars.  Austin is now driving and while the accident was horrible, I think it made him more self-conscious and aware of his surroundings.”

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is hearing about the great things that happen in the patients’ lives that I have the fortune of getting to know; all of their stories remarkable in their own right.  If you are interested in sharing your story and being my next patient feature, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  Be sure to also stay connected with me, Dr. Hunter Moyer, on FacebookTwitter and Google+ for future patient features and updates.

Acellular Dermal Matrices Benefit Breast Reconstruction

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Recently published in the February 2014 issue of The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Dr. Hunter Moyer co-authored a study titled “The Effect of Radiation on Acellular Dermal Matrix and Capsule Formation in Breast Reconstruction.” Alongside Drs. Pinell-White and Losken, also from Atlanta, Dr. Moyer investigated acellular dermal matrix technology and patient safety for breast reconstruction. Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are engineered materials that imitate and substitute for a patient’s tissue when there is an inadequate amount of healthy tissue available.

As a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Moyer frequently conducts research and participates in studies relating to implant technology and surgical techniques. He is committed to advancing the field of plastic surgery as well as maximizing safety for his patients.

Dr. Moyer’s study primarily focuses on ADMs’ effects on patients who underwent breast reconstruction with implants. ADMs are commonly used for support during breast surgery, specifically reconstruction because of the ease of use and numerous benefits. As an engineered material, cellular ingrowth and tissue integration are important for transforming the material to biologic tissue. Results conclude that ADMs appear to limit the degeneration of skin elasticity and inflammation that can occur with radiation.

For more information on a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure or to schedule a consultation, contact us today. Also, connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery updates and the latest news articles.

Dr. Hunter Moyer Officially Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

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Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer has received board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery after completion of a rigorous examination process and meeting educational and required training standards set by the board. Board certification assures patients that their physician has successfully attained the knowledge, education, and experience to provide safe and high quality care in their specialty.

With patient safety and surgical advancements at the top of his priorities, Dr. Moyer continues to refine and develop the latest techniques to benefit his patients. He has participated in studies investigating acellular dermal matrices and the Keller Funnel™ to improve breast surgery. In addition to breast procedures, he also performs cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for the body and face. He performs a special facelift procedure originated at Emory University in which deeper suspensory ligaments are tightened to prolong facial surgery results.

Dr. Moyer is also an active member of the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS). He is available at both Northside-Forsyth Hospital in Cumming and Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs (Atlanta).

For more information on the procedures that Dr. Moyer performs, please contact us today to schedule your consultation. Also be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest updates.

Dr. Hunter Moyer of Atlanta Plastic Surgery Named a 2013 Patients’ Choice Award Recipient

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Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer won a Patients’ Choice Award for 2013. According to statistics provided by Patients’ Choice, this honor is awarded to only approximately 5 percent of physicians nationwide who have received near perfect rating scores on online review sites. Patients’ Choice reviews public ranking and other quality measures such as medical certifications and continued, consistent ratings over the course of the year of the award.

Many patients refer to online resources to choose their physician and share their experiences regarding their procedure and care. Dr. Moyer has received exceptional ratings among online review websites and is now included on the Patients’ Choice database where patients can locate physicians of all specialties with quality care in their communities.

Dr. Moyer and his medical team sees patients at both of his practice locations at Northside-Forsyth in Cumming and Northside-Sandy Springs in Atlanta where he performs an array of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for the face, breasts, and body. In addition to providing optimal care for his plastic surgery patients, he also continues to author and research studies on new technology, breast reconstruction techniques, and breast implant designs to improve results and patient experience.

If you’re interested in a procedure with an Atlanta Patients’ Choice Award Doctor, please contact us today to schedule your consultation. Also be sure to connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery updates.

The First Free Tissue Transfer in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at Northside-Forsyth Hospital

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Earlier this year in March 2013, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer performed the first free tissue transfer surgery ever at Northside-Forsyth Hospital. Free tissue transfer, a technique in reconstructive plastic surgery, is a procedure that relocates healthy tissue to repair another area of the body. Dr. Moyer performs free tissue transfers to address injuries caused by trauma, severe burns, or cancer removal. While this is a highly complex procedure, free tissue transfer surgery is a possible option for breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery at both Northside hospitals in Atlanta and Forsyth County.

Free tissue transfer harvests healthy skin, fat, muscle, or bone in the form of a flap that is transferred from the donor site to another site. Along with the tissue, blood supply is transferred so arteries and veins are also transferred and reconnected to vessels at the receiving site using a surgical microscope. Dr. Moyer examines areas requiring a tissue flap as well as the areas where tissue may be safely harvested. By using materials from the patient’s own body, the risk of infection and post-operative risks are significantly reduced. Tissue transfers can provide natural-looking plastic & reconstructive surgery results and resolve a range of conditions and injuries.

This procedure is commonly used in a number of reconstructive treatments including facial and breast reconstruction. Dr. Moyer performs breast reconstruction surgery with various tissue flap techniques including the TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous), a reconstructive technique refined at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. In addition to tissue flaps, patients can also choose breast reconstruction with implants. Dr. Moyer surgically inserts saline or silicone implants to restore the breast mound.

For more information on reconstructive or cosmetic procedures that Dr. Moyer performs, contact us to schedule your consultation. For more news and updates on plastic surgery, follow Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.