Breast Reconstruction Without Implants

• Where does the tissue come from?
• What are the benefits of a getting a breast reconstruction without implants?
• What are the challenges of these procedures?
• Follow-up care for breast reconstruction without implants
• What side effects can I expect with breast reconstruction without implants?
• Complications: When to call the doctor after surgery
• Does insurance cover breast reconstruction without implants?

Women who have had breast cancer and a mastectomy have a number of options in breast reconstruction . If the woman does not want implants, she may choose to have her breast reconstructed using her own body tissue through what is commonly known as a flap procedure. This operation involves moving healthy tissue from one area of the body to the chest using one of two methods, tunneling or free-flap.

• Tunneling procedure. Using this technique, the transplanted section of tissue remains attached to its original blood supply. The surgeon tunnels the section of tissue under the skin and places it at the reconstruction site.
• Free-flap procedure. Using this technique, the tissue is disconnected from its original blood supply and then reconnected, using microsurgical techniques, to an existing blood supply in the chest area.

Where Does the Tissue Come From?

While tissue from the back or buttocks may be used, the most common flap procedure uses muscle and skin taken from the abdomen. Using either the tunneling or free-flap technique, muscle, skin and fat are transplanted from the abdomen to the chest area. After the flap of tissue has been transferred, the surgeon shapes it into the contour of a breast.

When the abdominal flap is not an option, the surgeon may use tissue from the back -- and, less often, the buttocks -- in making the new breast.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Breast Augmentation -
• Breast Cancer - Get the facts on breast cancer symptoms, signs, stages, types, research, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention information and treatment options: mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.
• Breast Reconstruction - Reconstructive plastic surgery for breast cancer is performed to replace skin, breast tissue and the nipple-areolar complex removed during a mastectomy.

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