Flap reconstruction is a procedure for reconstructing a breast following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. The procedure is performed utilizing tissue from another area of the patient’s own body, which ensures the reconstructed breast looks and feels natural. Dr. Anke Ott Young, Dr. Mary Pronovost, and Dr. Christine Hodyl, the board-certified surgeons specializing in breast reconstruction surgery at our office in Garden City, NY, and Trumbull, CT, perform flap reconstruction and can help you decide if the procedure is right for you.
How Flap Reconstruction Is Performed
Flap reconstruction helps restore both the shape and size of a patient’s breast(s) following breast cancer surgery. The procedure is performed using healthy skin, fat, or muscle tissue from another area of the body to construct a new breast following a mastectomy. Flap reconstruction can also be used to reshape a breast after a lumpectomy.
The healthy replacement tissue is typically taken from areas of the body where there is excess tissue, such as the thighs, back, buttocks, or abdomen. During the reconstruction procedure, the healthy tissue is removed from the selected area(s) of the body, then used to construct a natural-looking breast.
Benefits of Flap Reconstruction
The experienced breast surgeon at our office in Garden City, NY, and Trumbull, CT, has been performing flap reconstruction and other breast reconstruction surgeries for several decades. Dr. Young can explain the pros and cons of each reconstruction option so you can make an informed decision about what is right for you.
There are numerous benefits to choosing flap reconstruction to restore the breasts following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Some of the many reasons to consider flap reconstruction include:
- Flap reconstruction can last a lifetime without the need for replacement as can be the case with breast implants
- No synthetic materials are involved since natural tissue from the patient’s own body is used
- Using natural skin, muscle, or fat tissue ensures the reconstructed breast looks and feels natural
- Unlike breast implants, there is a minimal risk the body will reject the natural tissue used to reconstruct the breast
- Removing excess tissue from another area of the body has the added benefit of enhancing the overall shape and appearance of the body
There are many reasons to consider flap reconstruction if you have had a lumpectomy or mastectomy. The results are extremely natural and can last a lifetime. Schedule a consolation with Dr. Ott Young, Dr. Pronovost, and Dr. Hodyl, to learn more about flap reconstruction by calling our constructive plastic surgery office in Garden City, NY, and Trumbull, CT, at (516) 742-3404.