Breast Reconstruction

Many women have the option to have a breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy. Women who have chosen breast reconstruction have reported a sense of renewed self-image, an increase in self-confidence and a gain in emotional well-being. It is important to know your options when it comes to breast restoration and empower yourself by choosing the right procedure. There are several different breast reconstruction procedures to choose from. Some common breast reconstruction procedures are:

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

A DIEP Flap procedure (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap) represents the state of the art in breast reconstruction. This procedure replaces the skin and soft tissue removed at mastectomy with soft, warm, living tissue, which is accomplished by borrowing skin and fatty tissue from the abdomen.

SIEA Flap Breast Reconstruction

A Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery Flap, or SIEA Flap procedure is the same as a DIEP procedure except that for some women the blood vessels just under the skin in the lower abdomen may be chosen as the feeding vessels for the required tissue.

Lattismus Flap Breast Reconstruction

The latissimus flap procedure is a tissue flap procedure that uses muscle and skin from your upper back to create a new breast mound after a mastectomy. A portion of skin and your latissimus dorsi muscle will be tunneled from your upper back over to your mastectomy area to create your reconstructed breast.

SGAP Flap Breast Reconstruction

A Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap, or SGAP flap procedure is for the thin woman or those with otherwise insufficient tummy tissue, the breast may be reconstructed with tissue borrowed from the gluteal area. Skin, fat, and the small feeding blood vessels are taken using a very fine incision across the panty line.

Other breast reconstuction procedures include lumpectomy reconstruction, TAP flap and implants. Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is a very safe and common procedure. It is important to do your research on which breast reconstruction procedure may be right for you.