Massachusetts General Hospital | MassGeneral Hospital for Children

Biography

Dr. Colwell specializes in plastic surgery of the breast, body, and face. She completed her general surgery training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and then finished a three year residency in plastic surgery in the Harvard combined training program.

Dr. Colwell has special interests in all types of breast surgery including reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer, breast augmentation, breast lifts (mastopexy), and breast reduction. She has written articles on each of these procedures to improve techniques and outcomes. Dr. Colwell also has a focused interest on body contouring (tummy tucks, arm lifts, buttock lifts, thigh lifts, labiaplasty) after childbirth, massive weight loss, and with aging. She evaluates each person's unique body to recommend the best procedure for them considering their desires and safety considerations. She has given talks locally and nation-wide on her preferred techniques and has experience with ultrasonic liposuction for added enhancement. Dr. Colwell also performs reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including facelifts, eyelid lifts, rhinoplasty, excision of skin cancers, facial fillers (restylane and juvaderm), and botox.

Research

Dr. Colwell has research interests in improving techniques and outcomes for breast reconstruction and body contouring. She is currently assessing patient satisfaction after different types of breast reconstruction and assessing the differences between patients who go on to have reconstruction compared to those who do not. This may help in counseling future patients. In addition, she is interested in patient safety in body contouring and is trying to determine the best way to manage these patients during their procedures.

Publications

View my most recent publications at PubMed

1. Breuing KH, Colwell AS. Inferolateral AlloDerm? Hammock for Implant Coverage in Breast Reconstruction.
2. Colwell AS, et al. Breast Augmentation Following Breast Reduction: Getting the Size Right.
3. Colwell AS, et al. Improving Shape and Symmetry in Mastopexy.
4. Colwell AS. Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss: Optimizing the Results.
5. Breuing KH, Colwell AS. Immediate Breast Implant Reconstruction with Inferolateral AlloDerm Sling and Post-Operative Radiation:
6. Colwell AS, et al. Mastopexy Techniques Following Massive Weight Loss
7. Colwell AS et al. An Inferolateral Approach to Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Reconstruction