Breast Reconstruction with your own body tissue, known as autologous tissue reconstruction involves using fat and skin from other parts of your body to rebuild your breast after Mastectomy. Here, we'll talk about three common types: DIEP flaps, LAP flaps, and PAP flaps.

Understanding Autologous Tissue Flaps

DIEP Flaps (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator)

• What it is: DIEP flap reconstruction uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen, similar to a tummy tuck, but without moving the muscle.

• Benefits: It provides a natural feel and look, reduces the risk of muscle damage, and gives you a flatter tummy.

• Considerations: Recovery can be longer due to the complexity of the surgery, and there might be some scarring on your abdomen.

LAP Flaps (Lateral Artery Perforator)

• What it is: LAP flap surgery takes skin and fat from the upper part of your love handle or flank region to reconstruct the breast.

• Benefits: It's an option if you don't have enough abdominal tissue or previous abdominal surgeries such as abdominoplasty. It can also contour your waist similar to a posterior body lift.

• Considerations: There will be a scar on your thigh, and you might feel some numbness or tightness in the donor area.

PAP Flaps (Profunda Artery Perforator)

• What it is: PAP flap involves taking tissue from the upper inner thigh, near the groin, to rebuild the breast.

• Benefits: Like the LAP flap, it's useful if abdominal tissue isn't an option. It also provides a natural result with minimal muscle involvement.

• Considerations: Similar to LAP, there will be scarring and potential changes in sensation in the donor area.

Consultation

Your journey begins with a consultation where your surgeon will assess your health, discuss your goals, and decide if autologous reconstruction is right for you. They'll explain which flap might work best based on your body and medical history.

Planning

• Preparation: Imaging studies (CT Scan) of your abdomen and thighs will be obtained to plan the surgery effectively. Dr. Boyd will tailor the approach to your unique anatomy. 

Pre-Operative Phase

• Before Surgery: You'll receive instructions on how to prepare, including fasting before surgery. A pre-op meeting will ensure you're ready for the procedure. 

Surgery Day

• Procedure: Depending on the flap type, the surgery can take several hours. You'll be under general anesthesia. Dr. Boyd will remove and transfer the tissue, carefully connecting blood vessels using a microscope to connect the blood vessels to ensure the new breast tissue thrives.

Post-Operative Care

• Recovery in Hospital: You'll stay in the hospital for monitoring. Pain management, wound care, and early mobility will be part of your care.

• Home Recovery: At home, rest is crucial. You'll have follow-up appointments to monitor healing, manage any complications, and ensure the new breast is integrating well. Physical activity will be limited initially but will gradually increase.

Long-Term Recovery

• Healing: Over weeks to months, you'll notice improvements in comfort and appearance. Scars will fade over time, and sensation might return partially.

• Follow-Up: Regular check-ups will ensure everything is progressing as expected. Emotional support might also be offered as you adjust to your new body image.

FAQs

Q: Will I lose sensation in the reconstructed breast?

• A: Some sensation might return over time, but initially, there might be numbness.

Q: How long does recovery take?

• A: Recovery varies, but you might need 4-6 weeks before returning to light activities, with full recovery taking several months.

Q: Can I have both breasts reconstructed at once?

• A: Yes, it's possible to reconstruct both breasts in one surgery if medically feasible.

Q: What are the risks?

• A: Risks include infection, flap loss (where the tissue doesn't survive), changes in sensation, and typical surgical complications. Your surgeon will discuss these in detail.

Conclusion

Breast reconstruction with autologous tissue like DIEP, LAP, and PAP flaps offers a personalized approach to restoring your body after surgery. Each method uses your own tissue to create a natural-looking and feeling breast, tailored to your body's unique contours.