Robert Dickey Peterson MD-Houston Plastic Surgeon,Breast Augmentation,plastic surgery,Cosmetic Surgery

 
Procedures - Breast Reconstruction 
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FLAP RECONSTRUCTION

Although flap reconstruction is more involved at the initial procedure than reconstruction with an implant, many women prefer it because it allow the breast to be rebuilt with a natural tissue. Unlike the tissue-expander method, the breast mound is completed during the initial operation without the need for expansion over an extended time, period.  Also if your weight changes by using your own natural tissue, your reconstructed breast will grow or shrink over time.  This means your breast will remain symmetrical throughout your life. 


Tissue may be taken from the abdomen and tunneled to the breast or surgically transplanted to form a new breast mound.


After Surgery, the breast mound, nipple, and areola are restored.


Scars at the breast, nipple, and abdomen will fade substantially with time, but may never disappear entirely.

 Using skin and fat from the lower abdomen and with the one of the two vertical midline muscles (the rectus abdominus) the breast mound is recreated.  The flap is tunneled under the upper abdominal skin and placed into the area of the mastectomy.  Abdominal skin will replace any breast skin that may be removed and abdominal fat will replace the breast tissue removed at surgery.

Recovery from flap reconstruction may take a while longer than implant reconstruction but it does not require a secondary procedure for placing a permanent implant, nor does it require the weekly office visits needed for tissue expansion.  

Additionally, the flap procedure may IMPROVE the site from which the 'borrowed' tissue was taken, For example a protruding abdomen may appear flatter and trimmer after excess tissue is taken from that area and used to rebuild the breast.

Breast reconstruction usually involves more than one operation. The first stage, whether performed at the same time as the mastectomy or later on is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia.  Subsequent procedures area also done in the same manner.  

Recovering from the combined mastectomy and reconstruction typically requires no longer a period of recovery, then a reconstruction performed apart from the mastectomy, and it avoids the necessity of one additional surgical procedure and the recovery time which follows.

This information is intended to act only as an introduction to the reconstruction procedures, it is not a substitute for the in depth information you will receive during your consultation visit with Dr. Peterson who, as a board certified Plastic Surgeon, has over 20 years of experience performing this procedure.

A detailed brochure is available through Dr. Peterson's office. Your personal wishes and questions may be submitted either by E-MAIL plasticsurgeryhouston@msn.com or with a quick phone call to Dr. Peterson's office to schedule an appointment. Your inquiries are kept strictly confidential.