Healty | What Does Flap Breast Reconstruction Involve?

If you're considering pectus reconstruction using your ain tissue (a "flap" procedure), it's of import to know that achieving the best results normally involves several stages together with takes time.

BEFORE skin-sparing mastectomies together with DIEP flaps

AFTER skin-sparing mastectomies together with DIEP flaps

The patient inward the pictures inward a higher house required the next stages to consummate her pectus reconstruction:

Stage 1: The Initial Breast Reconstruction

Whenever possible, pectus reconstruction should live performed at the same fourth dimension equally the mastectomy. This is known equally "immediate pectus reconstruction". This allows for less scarring because the natural pectus peel envelope tin normally live preserved ("skin sparing mastectomy"). Only the nipple, areola together with pectus tissue nether the peel is removed. The patient inward a higher house had bilateral skin-sparing mastectomies together with DIEP flap reconstruction using tissue from her lower abdomen.

In or together with then cases, the nipple together with areola tin also live preserved. This is called a nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Immediate reconstruction enables the patient to wake upwards from the operation "complete" together with avoid the experience of a apartment pectus altogether. Most women alongside early on pectus cancer (stage I or II) are candidates for this approach.

If immediate reconstruction isn't an option, or the patient prefers to wait, the reconstruction tin live performed "delayed", whatever fourth dimension after the mastectomy. Patients having radiations are oftentimes advised to delay reconstruction. Other reasons for delaying reconstruction include advanced pectus cancer (stage III or IV) together with lack of access to a specialist surgeon.

Stage 2: Revision
This is the "fine-tuning" stage together with is normally performed equally an outpatient procedure. This stage involves shaping the breasts together with making them equally symmetric equally possible. Fat injections tin live used to address whatever contour deformities together with brand the breasts expect together with experience fifty-fifty to a greater extent than natural. The donor site scar (scar from where the flap tissue was taken) is revised to brand the expanse expect equally practiced possible. Nipple reconstruction is also normally performed at this stage if the patient did non receive got a nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Stage 3: Micro-pigmentation/Tattooing
This purpose physical care for applies the "finishing touch". Color is added to the reconstructed nipple-areola complex to brand the results fifty-fifty to a greater extent than natural. Women at 1 time also receive got the selection of a 3D tattoo which tin expect rattling life-like, alongside or without a surgically reconstructed nipple-areola.

Each stage is performed three months apart which agency that the entire reconstructive physical care for tin accept several months. Insurance authorisation is also required earlier each stage.

I promise this information helps.

Dr C

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Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon inward San Antonio, TX specializing inward the DIEP flap together with other state-of-the-art pectus reconstruction procedures. He together with his partners at PRMA are In-Network for most the States insurance plans. Patients are welcomed from across together with exterior the US. Please telephone cry upwards (800) 692-5565 or e-mail patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to larn to a greater extent than nearly your pectus reconstruction options. Connect alongside others touched yesteryear breast cancer on Facebook.

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