Flap reconstruction surgery is the newest, yet most complex, breast reconstruction option for women who find themselves confronted with undergoing a mastectomy. As a specialized surgical technique, finding a skilled plastic surgeon proficient with flap reconstruction and microsurgery is of critical importance. Dr. Andres takes his extensive standard of skill and knowledge that he has learned from years of training and advanced, dedicated fellowship training in reconstructive surgery beyond residency, and harnesses it so that he can perform what is considered some of the best DIEP flap reconstruction Phoenix has to offer.

About the procedure

While there are many different types of free flaps, we will cover two primary flaps here.

Firstly, the DIEP flap is one of the most common flaps used in breast reconstruction. The procedure is performed by harvesting your own tissue from the abdomen, much like a tummy tuck, then that tissue is used to reconstruct the breast. There are various methods for surgically performing DIEP flap reconstruction. DIEP flap reconstruction delivers benefits that other methods of reconstruction may not provide:

  • Leaves well-vascularized tissue
  • May remove the need for implants
  • Utilizes your own tissue for reconstruction.

In another flap-based procedure, called latissimus flap reconstruction, excess skin and fat and the latissimus dorsi muscle are collected from the upper back area. Dr. Andres is versed in a modified version of a latissimus flap reconstruction, which is called the "volume-added" latissimus flap. This technique adds soft tissue when harvesting the latissimus dorsi muscle, increasing the amount of tissue that is used to reconstruct the breasts. This variation of latissimus flap reconstruction routinely results in a more natural-looking breast with the combined benefits of added flap tissue along with benefits afforded by implants.

This reconstructive procedure can be carried out with an implant or without, depending on what the patient prefers. A standard flap reconstruction surgery can take approximately 4-8 hours.

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During recovery

Most breast reconstruction patients spend a few days in the hospital after surgery. Recovery time depends on several factors. Patients who choose flap reconstruction generally have a longer recovery span, as they have two surgical sites--the new breast and the donor site--than those who choose reconstruction with an implant. Patients who choose implant-based reconstruction require between 4-6 weeks of downtime. Whereas recovery from flap-based reconstruction is approximately 6-12 weeks. After any type of breast reconstruction, arrangements to restore the nipple and areola areas can be scheduled, and may be performed after a few months from your final breast reconstructive procedure.

During your consultation

During your consultation with Dr. Andres, he will perform a thorough history and examination of your body so that he may give his professional opinion on the best surgical option for you. Dr. Andres will discuss your particular goals regarding reconstruction, so that he may aptly design a surgical plan that is tailored to your needs. It is important that during your consultation with Dr. Andres, you voice any questions or concerns that you may have, so that he can address them accordingly. It is crucial that you feel completely secure in your choice. Dr. Andres strives to perform some of the top DIEP and flap reconstructions Scottsdale can provide.

If you’d like to further discuss your options for DIEP or flap reconstruction in Phoenix & Scottsdale, you can request a consultation online. Or if you prefer, you may contact the office directly and one of our knowledgeable staff members will be happy to assist you in scheduling an appointment.

Breast Flap Reconstruction Before & After

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Schedule Your Consultation

A private, fully-tailored consultation is your next step to uncovering which surgical route is the right one for you. Dr. Lewis Albert Andres will intently listen to your particular goals in regards to your physical enhancement desires. From there, he will fully discuss all of the available options and meticulously examine

your body to determine with you which is the best course of action to attain your aesthetic objectives. Dr. Andres, a board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon in Phoenix & Scottsdale, is committed to delivering some of the best patient care and plastic surgery with honesty, compassion, and expert skill.

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