Losing breast tissue during a mastectomy procedure can be a traumatic and upsetting experience. Many women undergo breast reconstruction during their mastectomy or after their cancer treatment.
When you have undergone a mastectomy, a latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction in Englewood could help restore the symmetry of your breasts. Our skilled and compassionate medical staff, led by Dr. David L Abramson, can help you choose the reconstruction option that will give you the best results.
What Is a Latissimus Dorsi Flap Procedure?
The latissimus dorsi muscles are large, triangular-shaped back muscles on both sides of your rib cage, stretching from your armpits to your waist and your spine. Commonly called “lats,” these muscles give you strength and mobility when moving your upper body, especially when doing pull-ups, rock climbing, or swinging a golf club.
This method of reconstruction involves rebuilding your breasts using muscle, skin, and fat from your upper lats. This donor site is typically chosen for donor tissue when you lack enough skin or fat on the abdomen. Using the flap technique, Dr. Abramson moves some muscle and skin to a new location while maintaining a connection to the original blood supply. At the same time, he uses an implant to add volume to your breast tissue.
The muscle and flap add coverage over the implants so that your breast looks natural. While the transplanted skin could have a slightly different color, it is typically closely matched to your breast skin tissue. Because the flap uses your body tissue, it will be warm and flexible like normal tissue and feel less foreign than an implant.
For people in Englewood who are not avid golfers, swimmers, or rock climbers, latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction does not cause a significant change in their ability to perform their normal activities.
Are You a Candidate for a Latissimus Dorsi Flap?
Women who are good candidates for latissimus dorsi flap surgery in the Englewood area should have small-to-medium-sized breasts. Anyone with health conditions that affect the microvascular vessels, such as diabetes, connective tissue diseases, or vascular disease, is unlikely to be a good candidate for the surgery since good vascularization is necessary for proper healing.
We ask patients to quit smoking for six weeks before and after the surgery to reduce the risk of complications from anesthesia and delayed healing. Women participating in Pilates, golf, yoga, or tennis should discuss their options with our medical staff to determine whether the surgery could benefit them.
What To Expect Before and After Surgery
A latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction can be done for women in Englewood during a mastectomy or after cancer treatment. If you require radiation therapy, you may need to wait until your treatment is done before undergoing reconstruction surgery.
Dr. Abramson will give detailed instructions on preparing for the procedure and how to care for yourself afterward. You must follow these instructions carefully to reduce your risk of infection or poor healing.
Prepare your home with the necessary dressing supplies and healthy foods, since you cannot run errands for several weeks. The procedure generally takes three to four hours, and you will likely be in the hospital for three to five days. Blood flow to the flap will be closely monitored while you are in the hospital, and Dr. Abramson will tell you what to look for when you get home.
After the procedure, you will have limited mobility as Dr. Abramson places drains and bandages over your incision sites. Pack loose button-up shirts and pull-on pants to help make getting dressed and undressed much easier.
Call Today To Schedule Your Consultation for a Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction in the Englewood Area
Dr. Abramson takes the time to get to know all his patients. Thanks to his compassionate care, you can have a new breast that looks and feels natural through latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction in Englewood. Call our office today to schedule your consultation and discuss the breast reconstruction options that best meet your needs.
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