Breast Reconstruction
with Abdominal Flap
Rebuild with Your Own Natural Tissue
Flap reconstruction is a highly specialized form of breast reconstruction that uses your body’s own tissue to rebuild the breast, offering a natural and lasting result. This procedure can be performed immediately following a mastectomy or at a later date, depending on your unique situation. Tissue is commonly taken from the abdomen and occasionally from the back, known as “donor sites.” This method allows for a natural feel and appearance, helping to restore not just the breast but your confidence and sense of wholeness.
Abdominal Flap Reconstruction:
Restore Your Shape with Natural Abdominal Tissue
Abdominal flap reconstruction is ideal for women who have excess tissue in the lower abdomen. Using this tissue—comprising skin, fat, and sometimes a small portion of muscle—Dr. Yau reconstructs the breast, offering a natural and resilient result. The tissue is carefully removed along with its blood vessels and reconnected to new blood vessels near the breast. This procedure is not suitable for women who are too thin, smoke, have a history of blood clotting disorders, or have multiple abdominal scars.
The Abdominal Flap Procedure
This meticulous surgery typically takes between 6-8 hours for one breast and 10-12 hours for both. Below is an overview of what to expect:
01
Excess tissue in the abdomen is marked for removal.
02
The abdominal flap is carefully lifted from the abdominal wall.
03
The blood vessels supplying the tissue are identified and traced to their origin.
04
The tissue, along with its blood vessels, is prepared for transfer to the chest.
05
Blood vessels in the chest are located—either near the armpit or beside the breastbone—where the abdominal tissue will be connected.
06
The tissue is then meticulously connected to the chest blood vessels and secured in place.
07
The abdominal wound is closed with care, leaving scars that will vary depending on individual healing factors.
Recovery After
Abdominal Flap Surgery
After the surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for four days, with frequent monitoring by our skilled nursing staff to ensure proper blood supply to the flap. Drainage tubes will be placed in both the abdomen and the breast, which Dr. Yau will remove once drainage has sufficiently decreased, usually between 10-14 days post-surgery. You will have scars around the breast and across the lower abdomen from hip to hip, which will fade with time. Most patients return to regular activities within two weeks and can resume strenuous exercise in about six weeks. Nipple reconstruction is usually performed three months after the initial surgery.