Dr. Brian Hill, plastic and hand surgeon at Froedtert South’s Prairie Ridge Clinic
Key concepts:
Cosmetic surgery can improve physical and mental health
Leading-edge procedures often result in little or no downtime for patients
Many patients experience increased self-confidence
“Just walking was difficult,” recalls Missy Rostkowski of Kenosha. “I was unable to exercise, and I was struggling to care for my elderly mother.”
Rostkowski knew what could alleviate her problems, yet that solution remained just out of reach. “For years, I had been unable to get breast reduction surgery approved by my insurance company, despite having permanent indentations on my shoulders from bra straps, severe back pain and increased fatigue,” Rostkowski says.
That’s when Rostkowski met Dr. Brian Hill, a plastic and hand surgeon at Froedtert South’s Prairie Ridge Clinic. Dr. Hill and his team secured coverage for Rostkowski’s breast reduction and lift procedure. “It made my life so much better,” Rostkowski says. “I felt immense relief in my neck, I could stand up straight and I was happy that I could wear clothes that I couldn’t before. After that positive experience, I started noticing all the other services Dr. Hill offers.”
Missy Rostkowski
CoolSculpting™ and abdominoplasty services
“We are utilizing the latest and most advanced technology to perform this non-surgical procedure that eliminates fatty tissue under the skin without causing frostbite on the skin’s surface,” Dr. Hill says. “There’s no downtime for patients; they can get a treatment during their lunch hour and return to work without anyone even knowing they had a procedure. The fat simply disappears and doesn’t come back.”
“CoolSculpting™ eliminated some of the bulk in my abdomen,” Rostkowski says, “but then I started noticing the uncomfortable folds in my skin there, so I discussed this with Dr. Hill.”
“Many of my patients don’t like the changes to the contours of their abdomens or the excess skin they can see after childbirth,” says Dr. Hill. “This is often caused by the separation of their abdominal muscles. We address this with a tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty).”
“The tummy tuck also reduced my back pain,” Rostkowski says. “Now I can actually work out because I have more abdominal support than I did before.”
Laser facial resurfacing
“I have some acne scarring and, as I’m getting older, more wrinkles,” Rostkowski says. “Dr. Hill has been performing a procedure known as laser resurfacing to rejuvenate the skin on my face and he occasionally gives me Botox injections to help me maintain my appearance.”
“Laser facial resurfacing stimulates collagen production in the skin, which helps minimize fine lines and other effects of aging,” Dr. Hill says. “It’s ideal for someone who wants to preserve the appearance of their skin. The gentle laser we use doesn’t leave the skin puffy or cause shedding, so there’s no downtime for patients.”
“We also use Botox and fillers to reduce the fine lines that appear as we age,” says Dr. Hill. “It’s like a mini facelift. We can also inject filler into patients’ lips to add a little volume.”
“As a plastic surgeon, I also received intensive training and experience with liposuction,” Dr. Hill adds. “That experience enables me to customize what I do to each patient’s goals, rather than giving one-size-fits-all treatments.”
“I also perform breast reconstructions after mastectomy, lesion removals, wound care and hand surgeries to repair fractures or correct carpal tunnel syndrome, which I perform without making an incision in the patient’s palm,” says Dr. Hill. “As a result, patients can use their hands the next day and can typically return to work within a week.”
Making patients feel good about themselves again
“Before I met Dr. Hill, I had lost a lot of my self-confidence,” Rostkowski says. “I wasn’t wearing anything form-fitting, like my swimsuits. Now, I have much more confidence in how I look, how I carry myself and what I’m wearing.”
“New patients sometimes tell me they don’t want to seem vain regarding their looks, but I believe that wanting to feel good about your appearance isn’t vanity,” Dr. Hill says. “What we do makes people feel better about themselves and there’s nothing negative about that.”
“These cosmetic procedures definitely improve the patient’s appearance, but they are also about physical and mental health,” says Rostkowski. “If you don’t feel good about yourself, you can fall into depression, which can profoundly affect every aspect of your life.”
“Dr. Hill is so kind. He is very thorough and explains everything in a way you can understand,” Rostkowski says. “Dr. Hill and his team genuinely care about making people feel better. I truly believe that they find joy from seeing the happiness that patients experience as a result of their work.”
For more information, visit froedtertsouth.com.
