Profile of Richard M. Kline Jr., Dr

Dr. Kline trained in microsurgery with Dr. Robert Allen, the pioneer of DIEP, SIEA, and GAP perforator flap breast reconstruction, as a plastic surgery resident at LSU. Dr. Kline says when discussing this time, “We knew that [Dr. Allen] was on to something very exciting, but I doubt anyone back then foresaw just how sought after those procedures would become.”

After completing this training, Dr. Kline spent several years in full-time academic surgical practice, beginning at LSU in New Orleans. He then worked at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he performed the first successful DIEP flap in the southeastern United States. He entered private practice in 2000, and the practice rapidly became a regional referral center for complex microsurgical reconstruction. The practice has since evolved to focus almost exclusively on microsurgical breast reconstruction. “Our passion is restoring women’s body image after mastectomy using only their own natural tissue. We and our entire staff feel very privileged to be able to use our skills to help so many people in this way,” explains Dr. Kline.

Dr. Kline is a Charleston native and lives near his childhood home and his parents. He met his wife Elizabeth, a thoracic surgeon, in the operating room. They now have two children: their daughter Bellamy and their son Mahlon.

Procedures of Richard M. Kline Jr., Dr ⁽¹⁰⁾

Procedure	Rank in Mount Pleasant	Rank in SC	Rank in US
Breast Reconstruction Breast reconstruction surgery helps restore a more natural, symmetrical appearance of a breast that has been removed by a mastectomy or altered by a lumpectomy as part of breast cancer treatment.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 5	Ranked in SC: 24	Ranked in US: 878
TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction The TRAM Flap breast reconstruction procedure uses tissue and muscle from the tummy.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 2	Ranked in SC: 4	Ranked in US: 101
truSculpt truSculpt is a new body contouring technique that uses heat to melt fat cells and you can use it on your entire body.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant:	Ranked in SC:	Ranked in US:
Breast Revision Breast revision surgery makes to improve the appearance of breasts that have been previously operated on.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 5	Ranked in SC: 21	Ranked in US: 773
Nipple Surgery Nipple reduction surgery involves decreasing the size of protruding or disproportionately large nipples and trimming excess tissue to create an aesthetically balanced breast.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 7	Ranked in SC: 18	Ranked in US: 294
Breast Augmentation Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure that can enhance your breast size and shape.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 6	Ranked in SC: 25	Ranked in US: 1306
Breast Lift A procedure that lifts the breast tissue and repositions the nipples to remedy sagging breasts.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 6	Ranked in SC: 26	Ranked in US: 1218
Tummy Tuck Also known as an "abdominoplasty” this procedure reduces the size and shape of the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 6	Ranked in SC: 22	Ranked in US: 695
Areola Reduction Areola repositioning involves both the areola and the nipple being lifted and established in a natural position.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 4	Ranked in SC: 14	Ranked in US: 396
Facial Reconstruction Facial reconstruction surgery is performed to reshape structures in the head and neck — typically the nose, ears, chin, cheekbones and neckline.	Ranked in Mount Pleasant: 7	Ranked in SC: 18	Ranked in US: 283