What Is Latissimus Flap Reconstruction?
Lateral flap surgery is a method for breast reconstruction that uses skin, fat, and other tissues from your back to construct a natural-looking breast replacement after mastectomy. Latissimus flap reconstruction gets its name from the latissimus dorsi muscle, which is used for the surgery. During latissimus flap surgery, our providers at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery make an incision in your back under the shoulder blades, cutting an oval-shaped section of donor tissue to move to the chest through a tunnel under your armpit. The donor tissue is usually placed over a tissue expander or implant to create the breast size you desire. This approach allows us to avoid severing blood vessels, ensuring your reconstructed breast gets an adequate supply of blood. Latissimus flap surgery is just one of many approaches to breast reconstruction we perform at our Chicago, IL practice. To learn more about this procedure and which reconstructive technique is right for you, schedule a consultation with our friendly, compassionate plastic surgery team.
How Is Latissimus Flap Surgery Performed?
During your consultation, we'll discuss how breast reconstruction surgery works and recommend an approach based on your figure and health profile. Latissimus dorsi flap surgery is performed with general anesthesia and often takes 2 – 3 hours. First, your surgeon will make an oval-shaped incision in your back. After gaining access to the latissimus muscle and tissues underneath, we'll create a tunnel through the armpit area to your chest to create a natural breast mound. If additional volume is needed, we'll also install a tissue expander, which will allow us to slowly expand the breasts to prepare for future implant surgery.
What Are the Benefits of Latissimus Flap Reconstruction?
Just like every breast reconstruction technique we use at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, latissimus flap surgery comes with a variety of benefits that may make an ideal choice for your breast restoration. Some of the advantages of latissimus flip reconstruction include:
- Offers a more natural look and feel
- May eliminate the need for future surgeries (depending on the timing of your procedure)
- Offers an option for women who have undergone radiation therapy for breast cancer
- Enhanced confidence
Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery Reviews
I can’t say enough, what a great experience I had with Dr. Simon Moradian. His work is outstanding, he is caring, patient and kind. I had an upper blepharoplasty, it was easy, painless and I was back to playing tennis is 9 days (don’t tell him). If you are debating, don’t, it is a good thing. Dr. Moradian is a great doctor to trust and be under his care. Hope you are as fortunate as I was.
Dr. Fine is simply amazing! I started this journey full of fear and uncertainty, and came out thrilled with the result. I never expected that my breasts would look better post mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, then my natural ones yet here I am, staring in the mirror every day with awe. I am super thankful to Dr. Fine and his team: wonderful Barbara, Monika and Kat and all the beautiful ladies who welcomed me with smile every time. 5 stars!
I had surgery on my chin and the results are amazing. Dr. Moradian made things easy and painless. I 10/10 would recommend to anyone near the Chicagoland area looking for a good plastic surgeon.
Absolutely the best experience at Northwestern! Rachel is truly AMAZING, and I’m incredibly grateful for her patience and expertise at every visit. She takes the time to carefully assess my needs and consistently delivers results that look beautifully natural. Her precision and technique are unmatched, and I’m forever thankful for the confidence she’s given me. Rachel’s knowledge and understanding of her craft are evident—she knows exactly what’s needed for the best results. What truly sets Rachel apart is her commitment to enhancing natural beauty with a personalized touch. She never pushes unnecessary treatments and always offers honest, thoughtful recommendations that highlight my best features. I can’t recommend Rachel enough!!
When my smartwatch started showing blood oxygen levels below 90%, I knew I needed to do something about my blocked nasal passages. What was holding me back was finding a specialist who had a similar view of the balance between form and function. I knew I needed to breathe better but I also needed reassurances that my nose would not look the worse for it. It was my lucky day when I walked through the doors of the NSPSMEDSPA and met with Dr. Shierle. He was calm, funny, honest, and supportive. He understood and had explanations for my symptoms and options for solutions. His reassurances based on experience were thoughtful and on point. His depth of knowledge was beyond impressive. September 2024, Dr. Shierle performed my septoplasty. It has been life altering. My oxygen levels are solidly above 95%. My sleep the best it’s been in memory. And although it might be because I’m no longer scrunching it up to get air, my nose looks its best ever. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the NSPSMEDSPA staff. Appointments, insurance and paperwork were all taken care expertly and with a smile. Thank you everyone.
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Trust Our Experience
If you are looking for an experienced surgeon to help you regain your old figure after breast loss, the team at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery can help. Specializing in latissimus flap surgery and a variety of other techniques, we have extensive experience helping with breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Start your healing journey by scheduling a consultation at our Chicago, IL plastic surgery office.