In The Media
When thinking about cosmetic surgeons, one does not necessarily think about them as lifesavers, but for certain doctors like Dr. Rechnic, that’s exactly what they are. Reconstructive surgery is an integral part of his job as a plastic surgeon.
Unlike elective cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery cases often require working to rebuild and repair something that is nonexistent or damaged beyond recognition. Dr. Rechnic appreciates being able to impact patients’ lives through this kind of work. When asked about what it’s like performing reconstructive surgery, he says that it’s rewarding to be a positive influence in someone’s life. For a patient, going through an accident or losing a physical part of yourself is humbling, he notes. “When you have nothing, a little is a lot.”
Dr. Rechnic appeared in an episode for Life Lessons, Alcohol: Your Life. Your Choice.
The following are some examples of Dr. Rechnic’s reconstructive work. ;
Facial Reconstructive Surgery
When Angela A. first came face to face with Dr. Rechnic, half of hers was missing. Her chin, bottom lip, her front bottom teeth and bottom jaw were gone, and she had a deep laceration across her upper eyelid to her forehead. A freeway accident in which her car flipped over left her with extensive physical damages, and before she had even fully regained consciousness, some serious surgical decisions had to be made. And there were also looming questions: Would she ever have a normal face again? Would she be able to speak and be understood?
Dr. Rechnic was determined to give Angela her face back. The first surgery was just the beginning. Dr. Rechnic spent many hours counseling Angela and her family about the reality of her situation. There would be many stages to the process of reconstructing Angela’s face.
Two years and countless surgeries later, Angela had been given her life back. She now has a full mouth, jaw, teeth, a chin, and can speak intelligibly. She can look in the mirror and, while there are permanent visible scars, she can recognize herself. Most importantly, she is no longer afraid to go out in public and has the gift of being able to once again live day-to-day life.
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Before |
After her accident |
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After reconstructive surgery |
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Hand Surgery
August 11, 2008 was a day Jose R. will never forget. It was the day that he lost his hand, but was also given a chance to have his hand back. While working on a construction project with little sleep, Jose decided to take a break to eat and as he sawed through his last piece of wood, he also unknowingly sawed off half his left hand, from above the thumb down to the wrist. Through his weary state, it took him a moment to grasp the extend of the situation, but once he realized his hand was missing, he panicked, not knowing if he’d just lost a limb forever.
While trying to wrap his mind around the severity of his physical situation, he came upon the unfortunate truth: that many surgeons simply do not have the skills to perform this kind of operation. Hospitals started to turn him away, one by one, until Dr. Rechnic was notified. Being an expert in this field, he willingly took on Jose’s case and spent a grueling 6 hours in the operating room in order to reattach his four fingers, three wrist bones, 14 tendons, and the veins, arteries and nerves in his hand.
As a result of Dr. Rechnic’s care and dedication, Jose now has begun to regain sensation in his fingers and after months of physical therapy has some mobility in his left hand: Enough to feel his fingers and grasp light weight objects.
