Logo Douglas A. Bitter, MD, FACS - The Plastic Surgery and Hand Center Photo of Dr. Bitter



Dr. Bitter performs many types of Plastic Surgery procedures, but his particular areas of expertise are Body Contouring Surgery and Hand Surgery. He finds that both of these areas require a high level of precision and attention to detail. All Plastic Surgeons are trained in Hand Surgery, but some don't include it in their practices. Dr. Bitter continues to enjoy the challenges presented by Hand Surgery, and he also feels it is a valuable service for our community.

Abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck")
Abdominoplasty is a procedure to remove excess fatty tissue and skin from the abdomen. First a transverse incision is made low on the abdomen. All of the skin and fat of the abdomen are lifted up off of the underlying connective tissue. Depending on the amount of laxity of the underlying connective tissue, stitches may be placed in the connective tissue to tighten it. The waist is then flexed, allowing all the excess skin and fatty tissue to be excised, and the skin is then sutured together.
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Breast Augmentation
A small incision is made either in the fold under the breast or along the inferior margin of the areola (the darker-pigmented skin around the nipple) to insert a breast implant to enlarge the breast. Depending on various factors, the implant may be placed on top of or beneath the pectoral muscle lying under the breast tissue, and either a silicone or saline breast implant may be used.
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Breast Reduction
Excess breast tissue is excised from the breast while the breast is reshaped and lifted. Breast reduction is frequently performed to relieve the back pain and skin rash that bother women with excessively large breasts. This operation also improves the shape and appearance of the breasts.
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Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
The breasts are reshaped and lifted to give a more youthful and flattering appearance to the breasts. Sometimes this can be done with an incision just around the areola, but for breasts that have more sag, the incision may extend onto the lower pole of the breast.
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Carpal Tunnel Release
In carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the major nerves leading into the hand becomes pinched under a ligament, causing pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. The carpal tunnel release operation divides the ligament,relieving those symptoms.
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Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture is an abnormal proliferation of the connective tissue of the palm, causing the fingers to be drawn into flexion. It can be treated either by excising the fibrous tissue, or by using a needle (Needle Aponeurotomy) to divide the contracted tissue.
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Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are balloon-like bulges that arise from the membrane that surrounds a joint or tendon. Sometimes they will disappear spontaneously, but if treatment is needed, either an aspiration of the cyst or surgery can be performed. Aspiration involves putting a needle into the cyst to remove its fluid. Surgery removes the cyst in its entirety, including the tissues that give rise to it.
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Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to improve the appearance of fatty bulges on the body. The ideal candidate is near his/her ideal bodyweight - liposuction is not used to reduce the weight of overweight people. It is done by using very small (less than one-half inch) incisons through which a narrow tube is moved through the fatty tissues to partially remove the fat using high suction. A compression garment (like a girdle) is usually used after liposuction to help the tissues regain nice contours.
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Mucous Cysts
Mucous cysts arise from the finger joint closest to the fingernail and create a bluge near the nail base, and also typically cause a longitudinal groove in the nail. Arthritis of the underlying joint is felt to be the cause of mucous cysts. Surgery to remove the cyst is usually done in the office under local anesthesia. The finger usually returns to full function within two weeks.
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Thumb Joint Replacement
When arthritis causes severe pain at the base of the thumb, surgery can be done to relieve the pain. This operation removes the diseased joint completely. Unlike other joint replacements that insert an artificial implant (which will eventually wear out), this joint reconstruction is done totally with adjacent tissues in the wrist, and generally lasts forever.
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Trigger Finger Surgery
Trigger finger is a form of tendinitis involving the flexor tendons of a finger. The tissues swell, causing the tendons to "click" when the finger is flexed and the swollen tendon passes through a tight tunnel. Usually performed under local anesthesia as a simple office procedure, a small incision is made in the palm and the tight tunnel is opened up, allowing the tendon to pass through freely.
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Thumb Joint Replacement Surgery
Arthritis at the base of the thumb causes pain and loss of thumb function. Thumb Joint Replacement Surgery comletely removes the diseased joint. Unlike other joint replacements that use an artificial implant (which will eventually wear out) to reconstruct the joint, this operation uses the natural tissues around the wrist to rebuild the thumb joint, providing a result that usually lasts a lifetime.
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Ulnar Nerve Compression at the Elbow
The ulnar nerve passes behind the elbow (sometimes called the "funny bone"), where it can be compressed. If conservative measures are not successful in relieving the problem, surgery can be done to decompress the nerve.
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"I am always impressed with the care I receive from Dr. Bitter and his staff. Thank you so much."

J.O.

"I think Dr. Bitter is great. The work he has done on me is proving to me more than satisfactory. I would recommend him to anyone needing his type of service. He is also very personable."

J.T. ?