Getting implants isn’t your only option when it comes to reconstruction after your mastectomy.

Another option is a flap technique.

In a flap technique, your surgeon uses your own tissue - like your muscle, fat, and skin - to create foobs.

This is also known as Autologous tissue-based reconstruction. 

These procedures use tissue from other parts of your body, such as your stomach, back, thighs, or butt to rebuild your breast shape!

The most common types of tissue flap procedures are:

• TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flap, which uses tissue from your stomach.

• DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap, which also uses tissue from your stomach.

• LAT (latissimus dorsi ) flap, which uses tissue from your upper back.

• GAP (gluteal artery perforator) flap, which uses tissue from your butt.

• TUG (transverse upper gracilis) flap, which uses tissue from your inner thigh.

General pros and cons of flap surgeries:

PROS:

• Tissue flaps generally look more natural than implants 

• They behave more like natural breast tissue than breast implants.

• While breast implants sometimes need to be replaced, this is not a concern with tissue flaps.

• Tissue flaps are often used by themselves to reconstruct the breast, but some tissue flap procedures can be used with a breast implant.

CONS:

• In general, flaps require more surgery and a longer recovery than breast implant procedures.

• Flap operations leave 2 surgical sites and scars – one where the tissue was taken from the donor site and one on the reconstructed breast.

• Some women can have donor site problems such as abdominal hernias and muscle damage or weakness.

• Because healthy blood vessels are needed for the tissue blood supply, flap procedures may not be the best option for smokers, and for women who have uncontrolled diabetes, vascular disease, poor circulation, or connective tissue diseases.

• The flap foobs may get bigger or smaller as you gain or lose weight.

• The operation itself is longer and more involved, recovery generally involves a hospital stay of at least 2-3 days and a recovery period that can last a few months!

I hope this was helpful!! As always please feel free to drop some questions below and remember, I am not a medical professional, I am simply sharing this information as your breast friend!