ABOUT
Dr Barend Van Den Bergh is a meticulous plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Parktown, Johannesburg. Dr Van Den Bergh attained his MBChB from the University of Pretoria and completed his internship at Klerksdorp Provincial Hospital. He completed a surgical skills course at his alma mater and was head of the burns trauma unit at the Klerksdorp Provincial Hospital.
Dr Barend van den Bergh was appointed Medical Officer at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in the plastic surgery/trauma unit. While he was appointed as a medical officer, he became a Fellow of the College of Surgeons of South Africa (FCS-SA). He holds an international qualification on Perforator flaps at Ghent University in Belgium. Dr Van Den Bergh furthered his skills in microsurgery and flap dissection through the Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA) and shortly after became a Fellow of the College of Plastic Surgeons of South Africa. He also has a Master's degree in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at WITS University.
Dr Van Den Bergh is a member of the Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of South Africa (APRASSA). Oncological breast reconstruction, aesthetic surgery and gender reassignment surgery are his particular interests and specialities.
Netcare Breast Care Centre of Excellence, Suite E, Netcare Milpark Hospital, 9 Guild Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193
Services includes :
- Reconstructive - Implant-based reconstruction
An alloplastic or prosthetic reconstruction is a procedure that’s performed directly after a mastectomy. Also known as immediate reconstruction, the procedure recreates the natural shape and size of the breast. Usually, the patient can opt for a tissue expander or silicone implant surgery. A tissue expander is considered when there's insufficient tissue for the coverage of the implant after a mastectomy. The tissue expander, which resembles the shape of a balloon, is inserted under the pectoral muscle and filled with a sterile solution to inflate the area. Once the tissue has expanded to a certain extent, Dr van den Bergh removes the expander and replaces it with a permanent implant. - Reconstructive - Breast reconstruction using the patient's tissue
Autologous or flap reconstruction is a procedure that makes use of tissue from alternative regions of the body to restore the breast’s shape and size. Tissue can be dissected from within the breast, near the breast, the buttocks which are also known as IGAP or SGAP, the inner thighs or TUG and stomach (DIEP and TRAM flaps). Regional or localised tissue for flap procedures remain connected to its blood vessels and is only rearranged. For distant flap transfers, the tissue is disconnected from its blood supply and reconnected to alternative blood vessels in the breast. - Reconstructive - The Goldilocks procedure
The Goldilocks procedure is a skin/nipple-sparing mastectomy. For this particular procedure, the surgeon removes all of the glandular breast tissue but preserves the skin and healthy tissue. Instead of being discarded, the remaining breast tissue is folded over to create a smaller breast. Sometimes when there's not enough of the breast envelope to work with, the surgeon uses tissue underneath the breast to create a new mould. Fat transfers after six months are at times necessary to contour the breast. - Reconstructive - Therapeutic mammoplasty
Therapeutic mammoplasty is a procedure that involves the removal of malignant breast tissue. Residual tissue is then reshaped. The result is smaller, aesthetically pleasing breasts. This reconstructive procedure is done directly after the breast lump has been removed. The technique that's used to reshape the breast depends on the location of the lump and leftover breast tissue. A wide pattern mammoplasty is a widespread technique in which most defects are addressed. Or else, peri-areolar mammoplasty whereby skin similar to the shape of a doughnut is taken from the areola. - Reconstructive - Regional flaps
Once all malignant tissue has been removed, Dr van den Bergh uses tissue within the breast to close the defect. LD and TRAM Flaps don’t only involve the removal of skin but of muscle as well. Usually, the tissue is taken from the stomach, chest or back. The surgeon disconnects free flaps of tissue from another location in the body and reattaches it to blood vessels at the mastectomy site. Pedicle flaps are a viable option for breast reconstruction. - Reconstructive - Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction
Dr van den Bergh uses the Latissimus Dorsi muscle beneath the shoulder to recreate the breast. The Latissimus Dorsi is close to the breast and has a reliable blood supply. The muscle is used to recreate a part of the breast or plump up the implant. The flap is transferred from the back to the breast region. For women who have small to medium-sized breasts, the surgeon places the implant beneath the flap for larger breasts. - Cosmetic - Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation is a procedure that’s done to increase the size of one’s breasts. Breast augmentation is the insertion of silicone implants behind the breast, pectoralis or both the breast gland and chest muscle. The dual-plane is the most favoured breast augmentation technique. At a pre-operative consultation, Dr van den Bergh discusses the different breast augmentation procedures, breast sizes, shapes, types and surfaces. He also touches on possible risks, long-term expectations, recovery, results and downtime. - Cosmetic - Breast lift
A breast lift (mastopexy) is a cosmetic procedure that’s done to enhance the shape of one’s breasts. Sometimes implants are utilised to increase the size of the breasts. Dr van den Bergh re-drapes excess skin and lifts sagging nipples. He administers anaesthesia and marks the new position of the nipples. The surgeon makes an incision that runs from the areola to the breast. This particular cut is referred to as a lollipop scar. The incision may also run to the fold of the breast which is known as a wise pattern. He removes excess skin and lifts breast tissue. - Cosmetic - Breast reduction
Breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is the removal of excess skin and tissue to reduce the size of one’s breasts. Women who suffer from back pain due to the size of their breasts consider breast reduction surgery. Dr van den Bergh cuts from the areola to the breast, also known as a wise or anchor pattern and removes a surplus of skin. He contours the breasts and inserts drains to remove the fluid. - Cosmetic - Abdominoplasty
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is surgery to remove fat from the stomach. The procedure aims to strengthen weak muscles and restore the appearance of the abdomen. Candidates either qualify for a full or mini-abdominoplasty. For a mini-abdominoplasty, the skin beneath the navel is extracted, and the belly button remains in its position. A full abdominoplasty entails more incisions than a mini procedure. Dr van den Bergh lifts abdominal skin and contours underlying muscles. Through an additional incision, he moves and secures the belly button in place. Liposuction is another procedure that’s used to remove fat deposits in the upper part of the stomach. - Cosmetic - Liposuction and fat fills
Liposuction is the removal of fatty tissue from areas like the stomach, thighs, hips and buttocks. Fat fills is a process whereby fat is removed, purified and injected into a particular region of the body. Fat fills plump and improve the appearance of the lips, cheeks and breasts. Liposuction and fat fills are completed in one procedure. Fat is removed from one site and transferred to another area. Dr van den Bergh inserts a suction cannula to disintegrate and remove fat cells. Fat is filtered and transferred to lips, cheeks or breasts.
