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
Over the past two years I have worked with Dr. Schierle to achieve my postpartum 'glow up' and couldn't be more thrilled with my results. Both my chin lipo and upper bleph have left me feeling refreshed, confident and more youthful. I had both procedures in office under local anesthesia and had no issues. Not only does Dr. Schierle care about the physical result of his work but he also cares deeply about how the patient feels, which I experienced first hand during my 3 and 4 month post op appointments. I highly recommend Dr. Schierle for your plastic surgery needs- he's exceptional!
5 Star Upper Bleph and Chin Lipo Result - Over the past two years I have worked with Dr. Schierle to achieve my postpartum 'glow up' and couldn't be more thrilled with my results. Both my chin lipo and upper bleph have left me feeling refreshed, confident and more youthful. I had both procedures in office under local anesthesia and had no issues. Not only does Dr. Schierle care about the physical result of his work but he also cares deeply about how the patient feels, which I experienced first hand during my 3 and 4 month post op appointments. I highly recommend Dr. Schierle for your plastic surgery needs- he's exceptional!
Dr. Moradian is one of a kind. Not only is he a talented surgeon but he has a great bedside manner. I am very pleased with the outcome of my procedure. I recommend Dr. Moradian very highly!
Dr. Moradian is very welcoming, professional, and talented and provides excellent care. I recommend him to anybody considering cosmetic surgery.
I love how I look and feel—that is obvious, that is the stuff that shows to the world. But what Dr. Schierle and Monika Cieszynski did for me was really so much more than that. I have struggled with loose skin and a large belly my whole life. What they REALLY did for me was free up space in my mind. I cannot put accurately into words what this does to a person. I am free. I have so much gratitude and appreciation. My body is strong and looks great—but my mind—what it did for my mind is quite profound.
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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.