This procedure is where the tummy (abdominal) skin, fat and muscle is used to recreate a new breast or breasts, suitable for women who have a surplus of fat in their lower abdomen area.
Your surgeon will remove this roll of excess skin to create your new breast. This will leave a long scar in the lower abdominal area (similar to a tummy tuck / abdominoplasty) below you knicker line and will fade over time. If you have already undergone abdominal surgery or are considering pregnancy in the future then it is unlikely your surgeon will suggest this method of reconstruction.
This procedure is similar to the TRAM flap as it uses the same section of abdominal (tummy) skin and fat. The only significant difference is that this operation does not use the rectus abdominal muscle as part of the reconstruction; therefore the abdominal wall will not be left as weak as with the TRAM flap.
A significant scar will be left on your abdomen; if you have previously had abdominal surgery than this may not be the most suitable operation for you. Your McIndoe surgeon will guide you through the options available.
Both procedures are major operations and carry the risk of the flap tissue being lost in parts, or altogether due to the lack of blood supply. This will result in further surgery.
The LD flap procedure is where your surgeon moves a section of skin, fat and muscle from your
back to the chest to recreate a new breast.
Despite using the skin and muscle from the back, the muscle is ‘thin’; therefore an implant may be used to give volume to the reconstructed breast. This will then provide a more natural breast shape. This operation may be performed even if the chest skin has been damaged by radiotherapy.
If you have previously undergone surgery on the back or under the armpit then this may not be the most suitable operation for you. A large scar will be visible on your back, often hidden by a bra strap, but will fade over time. As with any operation your McIndoe surgeon will discuss the operation thoroughly with you.
Even with healthy breasts it is very unlikely perfect symmetry will be achieved. However the aim
of your surgeon will be to achieve the best symmetry possible for your situation. This may result
in further surgery to a natural breast to help better match the one that has been reconstructed.
This may be performed at the same time as your breast reconstruction or later on.
Following a mastectomy procedure the nipple is often removed as it may contain cancerous cells. A nipple reconstruction is a simple procedure that may be performed as an outpatient treatment and without the need of an overnight stay in hospital.
Your surgeon will raise the reconstructed breast to create a little button. An areola (the dark pigmentation around the nipple) can be recreated by tattooing. The reconstructed nipple will not have any sensation.
Breast Surgery · McIndoe Surgical Centre