Valley Health Surgeon Provides Expert Reconstructive Surgery For Cancer Survivors

Cancer can leave your body looking and feeling different. Maybe you’ve had a mastectomy after breast cancer, or you’ve had skin cancer removed, leaving behind unsightly wounds and scars. These procedures can lead to lower self-esteem, pain, and feelings of unhappiness and discomfort.

Valley Health’s Neal Topham, MD, helps patients get their lives back through comprehensive surgical reconstructive care.

“People don’t have to endure these deformities and imperfections,” Dr. Topham says. “This can be fixed. There are options and hope. And patients no longer have to travel far to receive this kind of care.”

A fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Topham was trained in reconstructive microsurgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. He offers innovative free tissue transfer flap procedures to rebuild areas of the body, such as reconstructing breast tissue after mastectomy.

During free tissue flap transfer, Dr. Topham cuts off the blood supply of tissue from one area of the body and transfers that tissue to another area of the body, where he then reconnects it to a new blood supply. For example, belly tissue might be removed and attached to the breast and its blood vessels after a mastectomy, giving the patient “the most natural looking and feeling breast.”

“Once the free flap heals, it becomes a part of the patient and there are no foreign bodies,” says Dr. Topham.

In addition, Dr. Topham reconstructs deformities that occur after skin cancer, performs pelvis reconstruction, and provides reconstructive surgery on breasts with ruptured or uncomfortable implants or post-radiation therapy deformities. Women who are not happy with previous reconstructive surgery can also make an appointment to come in and be evaluated.

Dr. Topham also performs cosmetic surgery and body contouring, such as tummy trimming, breast lifts, and arm and thigh lifts. He credits his team at Valley Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for addressing patients’ problems promptly and successfully.

“With Dr. Topham’s breadth of knowledge, he’s really been able to transform patients’ lives with the great work he does,” says Physician Practice Manager Kayleigh Boone. “We are truly lucky to have him.”

Although no referral is needed, patients who are interested in reconstructive surgery are encouraged to discuss their reconstructive options with their primary care physician.

To make an appointment with Dr. Topham, please call Valley Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at 540-536-0130. Financial assistance is available, and most insurances are accepted.