Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is a big decision and a deeply personal one. If you’re in the planning part of your treatment journey, understanding your options and considering what would work best for your body is one of the most important things you can do right now.
With almost 30 years of specialized experience just at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dr. Gregory Dumanian is widely regarded as one of the foremost breast reconstructive surgeons in the Chicago area. Dr. Dumanian has been named Top Doctor by Chicago Magazine, and our patients with breast cancer frequently praise his uniquely empathetic manner.
Today’s blog covers free flap breast reconstruction and delves into candidacy. We hope this makes your options clearer.
Understanding Free Flap Reconstruction
Free flap reconstruction involves taking tissue from another part of your body and using it to rebuild your breast mound after a mastectomy.
A standard flap shifts the tissue from a nearby area without disconnecting the blood supply. But with a free flap, Dr. Dumanian disconnects the flap completely, including the blood vessels. Then, he reconnects the blood vessels in the new position on the chest using advanced microsurgery techniques.
Free flap reconstruction is often a top choice because it provides a natural look and feel.
There are many approaches to free flap reconstruction. Dr. Dumanian recommends the flap site and donor site tissues (skin, fat, and muscle) that give you the best odds of flap survival and good long-term results.
Free flap reconstruction may require one stage or two. Some women have free flap reconstruction immediately after their mastectomy, while others have it later (delayed reconstruction.) You may need a separate procedure to rebuild your nipple.
Free Flap Reconstruction Candidacy
Candidacy for free flap reconstruction depends on a few factors.
The donor tissue comes from the abdomen for the most common type: Free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flaps. It’s also known as a tummy tuck flap reconstruction.
There are several variations of DIEP flaps. Women need sufficient abdominal tissue for this procedure. Most qualified women have given birth before and have plenty of spare tissue in the belly area. So, very thin women may not be good candidates.
The more abdominal wall muscle you have, the better you might be as a candidate, as flaps perform the best when they have the rich blood vessel supply found within muscles.
Chest radiation therapy doesn’t rule you out from free flap reconstruction because Dr. Dumanian usually uses tissue from the abdomen, which is often unaffected.
If you’re not a good candidate for an abdominal flap, another option, like a flap taken from your back (latissimus flap), could work.
Some women who routinely lift heavy objects might not be good candidates because the surgery can lead to abdominal wall weakening.
Free Flap DIEP Breast Reconstruction in Chicago, IL
If you’re ready to explore your breast reconstruction options with Chicago’s leading expert, call Dr. Gregory Dumanian at 312-695-6022 to book your consultation.