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James D. Schlenker, M.D., S.C.

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Overview


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Philosophy:
As a plastic surgeon with 24 years of experience, I will strive to enhance your natural appearance. My goal is to make you look better, more proportional and symmetrical by using techniques I have developed over time. Not only do I want to provide you with a great result, but also with an excellent overall experience. Your satisfaction with the care my staff and I provide is very important to me, from your initial phone call through your postoperative visits at our new Surgery Center.

Technique Information:
Like other plastic surgeons, I am anxious to tell you what is special about my technique. Implants can be placed through an incision in the axilla, around the areola or through the inframammary fold. I prefer the latter because it gives me the best exposure. I like to achieve complete muscular coverage for the implants. Therefore, I put the implants not only beneath the pectoralis major muscle but also beneath the serratus anterior muscle. The muscles which cover the implant not only support but also massage the implant during normal activities, thereby stretching the pocket into which the implant has been placed. As a result, the implant feels softer.

At the time of the initial consultation, the patient and I decide what size is most likely to give the desired result. During surgery, multiple different sized implants are available. Temporary implants of different sizes are tested in order to determine what size looks best. Only then is the permanent implant selected. The use of these temporary or trial implants allows the surgeon to better compensate for any discrepancies which may exist between the two breasts. For example, the implant on one side may have to be larger or smaller than that on the other side. Using these temporary or trial implants takes more time, but the results are gratifying.

I encourage patients to bring pictures of what they would like to look like after surgery. This can be more helpful than knowing the cup size the patient would like to have. Of course, we cannot match exactly what is seen in a picture of another person. The implants do not come according to cup size. Instead, the implants are listed according to volume. We as plastic surgeons try to pick the implant which will give the best result.

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Associations

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Qualifications

As a plastic surgeon with 24 years of experience, I will strive to enhance your natural appearance. My goal is to make you look better, more proportional and symmetrical by using techniques I have developed over time. Not only do I want to provide you with a great result, but also with an excellent overall experience. Your satisfaction with the care my staff and I provide is very important to me, from your initial phone call through your postoperative visits at our new Surgery Center.

I have been in plastic surgery practice since 1979 and am certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I received my undergraduate degree from Harvard University and my medical degree from Harvard Medical School. I served a residency in general surgery at the University Hospital of Cleveland and a plastic surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Hospital.

In addition to my private aesthetic practice, I am an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago. I am a member of the Chicago Society of Plastic Surgeons and many regional and national medical societies including the Midwest Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

If you should decide on surgery, you can be assured that our entire staff will provide you with the highest quality medical care. When you schedule your appointment with us, mention you visited our web site and receive a complimentary consultation.



Directions to Dr. Schlenker’s Office (Center for Reconstructive Surgery)

The Center for Reconstructive Surgery is located just minutes from I-294 (exit east 95th Street). Just one block east of Ridgeland on the south side of 95th Street. Parking and main entrance are located in the back of the building.


Education & Training

1962-1965 Harvard College - A.B.
Chemistry and Physics
Cum Laude

1965-1969 Harvard Medical School - M.D.
Cum Laude

1969-1970 Internship
Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital
Medical Internship

1970-1974 Residency in General Surgery
University Hospitals of Cleveland

1976-1978 Residency in Plastic Surgery
Vanderbilt University Hospital
Program Director: Dr. J. B. Lynch

July 1978 - Fellowship in Hand Surgery
Director: Dr. Harold Kleinert


Military Service

July 1974 - United States Army
July 1976
Major
McDonald Army Hospital
Ft. Eustis, Virginia

1977- Award
Army Medal of Commendation


Specialty Board

1975 - American Board of Surgery
1980 - American Board of Plastic Surgery
1990 - Certification of Added Qualifications
in Surgery of the Hand
1998 - Re-certification of Added Qualifications
in Surgery of the Hand


Academic Positions

Feb. 1979 - Assistant Professor of Surgery
Jan. 1981 - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
and Chief of Combined Hand Services
University of Chicago
950 E. 59th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637

1981 - Lecturer for Cook County Graduate School

1989 - Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery -
Section of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, University of Illinois, Chicago


Positions as Abstractor, Translator, or Reviewer

1974 - Abstractor of Publications in French, German and
Spanish for: Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics

1977 - Member of the Board of Reviewers for International
Abstracts of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Journal of the American Society of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgeons

1979 - Translator from German to English for
Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, Plastische Chirurgie.

1979 - Reviewer for AVLINE (Audio-Visual On-Line),
a component of MEDLARS
(Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System)

1981 - Associate Editor for Handchirurgie

1981 and 1982 - Lecturer for Northwestern University
Postgraduate Course in Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery

1983 - Inservice Examination Committee,
Education Foundation of the American
Society for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

1992 - Lecturer for Osler Institute


Scientific Presentations

1972 - Ohio Chapter American College of Surgeons
Resident Research Prize
Cleveland, Ohio
1973 - American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Las Vegas, Nevada
1973 - Central Surgical Association
Toronto, Ontario

April 1978 - Chief Resident's Meeting
Hershey, Pennsylvania

April 1978 - Tennessee Medical Society
Knoxville, Tennessee

May 1978 - American Association of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgeons
San Francisco, California

May 1978 - Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
Boca Raton, Florida

1979 - Chicago Society for Surgery of the Hand

Nov. 1979 - American Association for Academic Surgery

Nov. 1979 - American Assn. for Surgery of the Hand

Jan. 1980 - Military Plastic Surgeons

April 1980 - Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Sept.1980 - American Assn. for Surgery of the Hand
New Orleans, Louisiana

Sept.1980 - American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
New Orleans, Louisiana

Sept.1980 - Symposium on Hand Surgery
Gary Methodist Hospital
Merrillville, Indiana

Oct. 1980 - Symposium der Deutschsprachigen
Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Handchirurgie
Ludwigshafen, Germany

Oct. 1980 - Jahrestagung der Vereingung der Deutschen
PlLudwigshafen, Germany

Nov.1981, - 8th, 9th & 10th Annual Postgraduate Course in Plastic Surgery
1982,1983 - Northwestern University Medical School

Feb. 1982 - Conference on Hand Injuries (Diagnosis and Treatment of
Foreign Bodies of the Hand) Illinois Chapter of American
College of Emergency Physicians, Chicago

Sept.1982 - Regional Review Course in Hand Surgery (ASSH), Chicago

Sept.1983 - Regional Review Course in Hand Surgery (ASSH), Chicago

1983 - Second International Congress of the International Federation of
Societies for Surgery of the Hand, Chicago

July 1983 - VIII International Conference Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Montreal, Canada

1984 - Chicago Hand Society

Oct. 1989 - Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Scientific Poster Session

May 1990 - Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Association
of Plastic Surgeons
Oak Brook, Illinois

1991- Chicago Medical Society, Midwest Clinical Conference
Chicago, Illinois

Nov.1991 - Resident's Conference, Section of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, University of Illinois (Chicago)
Michael Reese Hospital

May 1992 - Vth International Congress of Hand Surgery, Paris

Oct.1992 - Chicago Hand Society

Oct.31, and - Plastic Surgery Board Review Course
Nov. 4, 1992 Sponsored by Osler Institute, Lisle, Illinois

Lectures - Hand and Wrist Fractures, Arthritis and Synovitis,
Hand: Anatomy and Exam, Congenital Anomalies.

July 4 and 11, 1993 -Orthopedic Board Review Course,
Sponsored by Osler Institute. Lisle, Illinois

Lectures - Hand Anatomy, Congenital Hand, Hand & Wrist
Fractures, Synovitis & Arthritis, Flexor & Extensor Injuries,
Compression Neuropathies.

Aug. 28, 1993 - Hand Surgery Boards Review Course,
Sponsored by the Osler Institute
Lisle, Illinois

July 10 and - Orthopedic Board Review Course, Sponsored by Osler Institute
24, 1994 Lisle, Illinois
Lectures - Hand and Wrist Fractures, Congenital Hand, Flexor
and Extensor Tendon Injuries, Neuropathies/Synovitis
and Arthritis
Aug. 28, 199 - Hand Surgery Review Course, Sponsored by Osler Institute
Lisle, Illinois

Lectures - Compression Neuropathies, Thoracic Outlet
Syndrome, Congenital Anomalies of the Hand, Anatomy of
the Hand, Extensor Tendon Injuries

Nov. 6, 1994 - Plastic Surgery Board Review Course,
Sponsored by Osler Institute
Itasca, Illinois

Lectures - Hand Anatomy and Exam, Hand and Wrist Fractures,
Congenital Anomalies of the Hand, Synovitis and Arthritis,
Case Reviews

July 9, 1995 - Orthopedic Board Review Course, Sponsored by Osler Institute
Lisle, Illinois

Lectures - Hand and Wrist Fractures, Congenital Anomalies of the
Hand, Synovitis and Arthritis

Nov. 8, 1995 - Plastic Surgery Board Review Course,
Sponsored by Osler Institute
Oak Brook, Illinois

Lectures - Extensor Tendon Injuries, Nerve Compression
Syndromes, Anatomy of the Hand, Arthritis and Synovitis

July 7, 1996 - Orthopedic Board Review Course, Sponsored by Osler Institute
- Oak Brook, Illinois

Lectures - Synovitis and Arthritis, Hand and Wrist Fractures,
Congenital Anomalies of the Hand

June 7, 1996 - Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"Results of Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR)
Personal Series"
Schlenker, J.D., M.D., Koulis,C., M.D.
Martinkus, D., R.N., Puente, J., R.N.

July 17, 1996 - Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons
1996 Summer Scientific Meeting
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

"Results of Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR)
533 Hands"
Schlenker, J.D., M.D., Koulis,C., M.D.
Martinkus, D., R.N., Puente, J., R.N.

Sept. 27, 1996 - 8th Kleinert Society Clinical Reunion
Louisville, Kentucky

"Results of Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release (ECTR)
533 Hands"
Schlenker, J.D., M.D., Koulis,C., M.D.
Martinkus, D., R.N., Puente, J., R.N.

Aug. 24, 1997 - Hand Board Review Course, Sponsored by Osler Institute
Alsip, Illinois

Lectures - Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Stenosing Tenosynovitis,
Extensor Tendon Injuries, Compression Neuropathies

April 7, 2000 - Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons
Annual Scientific Meeting
Chicago, IL 60611

FREE PAPER SESSION: Subperiosteal Midface Lift: Results of
Different Approaches,
Schlenker, J.D., Puente, J.
Oak Lawn, IL

April 6, 2003 - Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons
Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL

May 16-20, 2003 - American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Annual Meeting, Boston, MA

POSTER SESSION: Vertical Mammoplasty for Mastopexy and
Breast Reduction


Memberships

Active Member
American College of Surgeons (Fellow)
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.
Kleinert Hand Society
Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons
Chicago Society of Plastic Surgery
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
American Association for Hand Surgery
Chicago Hand Society
J. B. Lynch Society
Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation – Maliniac Circle Fellow


Hospital Affiliations

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Hand Surgeon

Little Company of Mary Hospital
2800 W. 95th Street, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60642

Palos Community Hospital
12251 S. 80th Avenue, Palos Heights, Illinois 60463

Christ Hospital
4440 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453

Illinois Valley Community Hospital
925 West Street, Peru, Illinois 61354


Awards

1973 Ohio Chapter American College of Surgeons
Resident Essay Contest
Cleveland, Ohio

1980 Educational Foundation of the American Society of Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgeons Scholarship Award

1993 - Channel 7 "Top Doc" Along with Two Other Plastic Surgeons
in Chicagoland Area

1994 - Listed in the National Directory of Who's Who

1999 - Castle Connelly Guide 1999 "How to find the best doctors –
Chicago Metropolitan Area" plastic surgery, page 240.


Offices Held

1988 - Medical Director, Center for Reconstructive Surgery
Oak Lawn, Illinois

1992 - Chief of Section for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Little Company of Mary Hospital


Bibliography

1. Schlenker, J.D. and Robinson, J.W.L: Studies on the Permeability Barrier to Amino-Acid Penetration of the Intestinal Mucosa During Incubation in vitro in a Sodium Free Buffer. Pflugers Archives 294:169-181, 1967.

2. Schlenker, J.D., Bossio, V., Romero Romero, E.: Dessarrollo social de ninos pre-escolares con Kwashiorkor y Marasmo. Archivos Latino-americanos de Nutricion 18:173-184, 1968.

3. Schlenker, J.D., Vega, G., Heiple, K.G.: Clostridium Pyoarthritis of the Shoulder Associated with Multiple Myeloma. Clin. Orthop. 88:89-91, 1972.

4. Schlenker, J.D., Barrios, R.: Gram-negative Pneumonias in Surgical Patients: A Complication of Antibiotic Treatment. Arch. Surg. 106:267-272, 1973.

5. Schlenker, J.D., Hubay, C.A.: Colonization of the Respiratory Tract and Postoperative Pulmonary Infections - The Value of Intraoperative Endotracheal Aspirate Cultures. Arch. Surg. 107:313-318, 1973.

6. Schlenker, J.D. and Hubay, C.A.: The Pathogenesis of Postoperative Atelectasis - A Clinical Study. Arch. Surg. 107:846-850, 1973.

7. Schlenker, J.D., Clark, D.D., Weckesser, E.C.: Calcinosis Circumscripta of the Hand in Scleroderma. J. Bone & Joint. Surg. 55-A:1051-1056, 1973.

8. Schlenker, J.D., Johnson, K., Wolkoff, J.S.: Occlusion of Popliteal Artery Caused by Popliteal Cysts. Surgery. 76:833-836, 1974.

9. Schlenker, J.D., Wolkoff, J.S.: Major Amputations After Femoropopliteal Bypass Procedures. Am. J. Surg. 129:495-499, 1975.

10. Schlenker, J.D., Ricketson, G., Bueno, R. and Lynch, J.B.: Loss of Silicone Implants After Subcutaneous Mastectomy and Reconstruction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 62:853-861, 1978.

11. Schlenker, J.D., Ricketson, G., and Lynch, J.B.: Oblique Clefts and Anophthalmia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 65:5, 1979.

12. Franklin, J.D., Withers, E.H., Schlenker, J.D., Madden, J.J., Jr. and Lynch J. B.: Ensured Reliability of the Dorsalis Pedis Free Flap in Head and Neck Reconstruc- tion. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons on May 3, 1978 in San Francisco, California.

13. Schlenker, J.D.: Transfer of Neurovascular Island Pedicle Flap Based on the Metacarpal Artery: A Case Report. J. Hand Surgery 4:16-18, 1979.

14. Schlenker, J.D.: Single K-wire in Thumb Replantation. Letter to the Editor.
Annals of Plastic Surgery 3:387, 1979.

15. Schlenker, J.D., Kleinert, H., Tsai, T.M.: Methods and Results of Replantation Following Traumatic Amputation of the Thumb in 64 Patients. J. Hand Surgery
5:63-70, 1980.

16. Schlenker, J.D., Averill, R.: The Iliofemoral Flap for Hand and Forearm Coverage: Pitfalls, Prevention and Alternatives. Orthopedic Review 9:57-63, 1980.

17. Schlenker, J.D., Indresano, A.T., Raine, T., Meredity, S.C., and Robson, M.C.: A New Free Flap in the Dog Containing a Vascularized Rib Graft - The Latissimus Dorsi Myoosteocutaneous Flap. J. Surgical Research 29:172-183, 1980.

18. Schlenker, J.D., Atasoy, E., and Lyon, J.W.: The Abdominohypogastric Flap - An Axial Pattern Flap for Forearm Coverage. The Hand 12:248-252, 1980.

19. Schlenker, J.D.: Important Considerations in the Design and Construction of Groin Flaps. Ann. Plast. Surg. 5:353-357, 1980.

20. Nachlas, N., Schlenker, J.D.: The Mechanical Cornpicker - 50 Years Later. Illinois Medical Journal 159:371-374, 1981.

21. Schlenker, J.D., Robson, M.C., Parsons, R.W.: Methods and Results of Reconstruction with Free Flaps Following Resection of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Ann. Plast. Surg. 6:362-373, 1981.

22. Schlenker, J.D., Lister, G.D., and Kleinert, H.E.: Three Complications of Untreated Partial Laceration of Flexor Tendon - Entrapment, Rupture, and Triggering. J. Hand Surgery, 6:392-398, 1981.

23. Schlenker, J.D.: Infection Following Pulp Pull-Through Technique of Flexor Tendon Grafting. J. Hand Surgery 6:550-552, 1981.

24. Schlenker, J.D., Schraut, W.: Autogene Venetransplantate sur Digitalen Revascularizierung nach Handverletzungen. Handchirurgie 13:131-137, 1981.

25. Schlenker, J.D., Reus, W.F.: Comparison of Blood Flow After Ischemia in Island Flaps: Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous and Epigastric Flaps in the Dog. Ann. Plast. Surg. 10:1, pp. 55-64, 1983.

26. Reus, W.F., Schlenker, J.D.: Comparison of Blood Flow After Warm and Cool Ischemia in Island Flaps: Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous and Epigastric Flaps in the Dog. Ann. Plast. Surg. 10:2, pp. 130-134, 1983.

27. Schlenker, J.D.,: Discussion of - Tsai, Tsu-Min et al.: The Effect of Hypothermia and Tissue Perfusion on Extended Myocutaneous Flap Viability. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 70:453, 1982.

28. Schlenker, J.D.: Replantation Surgery: Coverage of Interpositional Vein Grafts to Veins with Split-Thickness Skin Grafts. Transactions of the VIII International Congress of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montreal, Canada, June 26-July 1, 1983.

29. Schlenker, J.D.: Fingertip Injuries and Reimplantation, Trauma, 1:38-45, 1985.

30. Schlenker, J.D.: Discussion of - Picard-Ami, Jr., et al: Critical Ischemia Times and
Survival Patterns of Experimental Pig Flaps. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
86:4, 744-745, 1990.

31. Schlenker, J.D.: Letter to Editor – Incorporating Vascularized Ribs in a Latissimus
Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 88:5, 920-921, 1991.

32. Schlenker, J.D., Koulis, Ch.P., Kho, L.: Synovialectomy and Reconstruction of the
Retinaculum Flexorum in Median Nerve Decompression: Technique and Early Results.
Handchir. Mikrochir. Plast.Chir. 25:66-71, 1993.

33. Schlenker, J.D., Koulis, Ch.P.: Amputations and Replantations, Emergency Medicine
Clinics of North America, 11:3, pp. 739-753, August, 1993.

34. Schlenker, J.D., Koulis, C.: Hand Injuries: Principles of Evaluation and Initial
Management, M. Cohen (Ed.), In Mastery of Surgery: Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, Little Brown & Co., pp. 1480-1492, 1994.

35. Schlenker, J.D., Koulis, C.P., Wu, K.: Immediate Exploration Following Endoscopic
Carpal Tunnel Release: A Study of Seventy-Five Cases, Presented at the Vth
International Congress of Hand Surgery, Paris, May 1992. Submitted to J. of Hand
Surgery (Am).

36. Schlenker, J.D., Atasoy, E.: Abdominohypogastric Skin Flap for Hand and Forearm Coverage, Grabb's Encyclopedia of Flaps, Second Edition, Volume Two, Upper Extremities - Forearm, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1998.

Procedures

Breast Procedures

  • Breast Augmentation
  • Breast Reduction
  • Inverted Nipple Correction

Body Procedures

  • Liposuction
  • Thigh/Calf/Butt Lifts
  • Cosmetic Foot Surgery

Facial Procedures

  • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
  • Facial Implants
  • Lip Enhancement/Reduction
  • Rhytidectomy (Facelift - Mid-Facelifts)

Skin Procedures

  • LaserScar Removal
  • Laser Wrinkle Removal
  • Laser Spider Vein Removal
  • Laser Age/Sun Spot Removal

Other Procedures

  • Fat Grafting
  • Nerve Repair
  • Neurofibromatosis (Removal of Masses)
  • Cleft-Lip in Children
  • Tongue-Tied/Anchored Tongue