GAP Flap in Austin

Name: GAP Flap
Brand: Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

The GAP flap is an advanced breast reconstruction technique that utilizes your own excess tissue to restore the natural feel and appearance of your breast.

Use Living Tissue for Natural-Looking Breast Reconstruction With a GAP Flap in Austin

For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, breast reconstruction surgery is often an essential part of the recovery process. After undergoing a mastectomy or lumpectomy, a reconstructive procedure may be necessary to restore the volume and shape of the affected breast and regain your feminine figure. At Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, one of the advanced breast reconstruction techniques we offer is called a GAP flap, which uses your own living tissue to create a reconstructed breast that both looks and feels completely natural.

What Is a GAP Flap?

A GAP (gluteal artery perforator) flap at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is an advanced breast reconstruction technique, similar to the DIEP flap, in which your surgeon uses your own excess tissue—not an implant—to create your new breast without removing any underlying muscle or damaging your motor nerves. The result is a breast that looks and feels natural. Since the mound is made of healthy living tissue, it will not require any future implant replacement.

For the GAP flap technique, your surgeon removes a flap of skin and fat from either your upper buttock (in which case it is called a superior gluteal artery perforator or SGAP flap) or your lower buttock (an inferior gluteal artery perforator or IGAP flap).

Once the flap has been removed from your buttock, it is then carefully shaped to replace the removed breast tissue and transferred to your chest. The blood vessels in the tissue are connected to vital corresponding vessels in the chest wall or under the arm. Because the vessels are remarkably small and must be severed, then connected anew under a microscope, it is important that patients choose a surgeon who has advanced skills, significant experience, and training in microsurgery.

gap flap infographic

Benefits of a GAP Flap Procedure

GAP flap breast reconstruction offers several benefits for individuals seeking breast reconstruction after mastectomy, including the following:

Exceptionally natural-looking and feeling results
Long-lasting results
No risk of implant-related complications
Contours the appearance of the buttocks
Restoration of self-confidence and feminine physique

What Is the Recovery Like After GAP Flap Breast Reconstruction?

Your recovery will require three to four days of rest in the hospital, where the GAP flap can be monitored. Once you’ve returned home, you’ll need to rest for around a week or two before you start gradually resuming light activities. During this time, you’ll experience soreness, swelling, and bruising; your doctor can prescribe you pain medication to alleviate your discomfort. Most patients can return to work and resume their normal routines approximately two to three weeks after the GAP flap procedure.

However, you’ll need to hold off on strenuous exercise or physical activity for at least six weeks. It's important to keep in mind that while you’re recovering from surgery, at least two and up to four areas of your body will be healing at the same time—these areas include your reconstructed breast(s) and one or both buttocks, depending on whether one or both breasts are being reconstructed at the same time and the specific GAP flap technique that is used during your surgery.

Who Is a Good Candidate for GAP Flap Breast Reconstruction?

Women seeking breast reconstruction after a breast cancer diagnosis could be good candidates for a GAP flap procedure at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. This surgery can be a viable option for women who have already had a mastectomy or lumpectomy or are planning to undergo one of these procedures. To be an ideal candidate for this breast reconstruction technique, you’ll need to have a sufficient amount of excess fat and tissue around the buttocks. Before you undergo this procedure, you’ll have a private consultation with one of our expert reconstructive surgeons. They will coordinate with your oncologist and breast cancer surgeon to plan your treatment and ensure that the GAP flap method is the right choice for you. Our surgeons are very experienced in several methods of breast reconstruction, and they’ll discuss all of your treatment options with you thoroughly.

Why Choose Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for Your GAP Flap Procedure in Austin?

A GAP flap breast reconstruction is a complex procedure that must be performed by a skilled and experienced microsurgeon. At Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, our highly qualified surgeons have performed over 6,000 successful breast reconstruction surgeries, including several thousand flap procedures. Our team takes great pride in providing each patient with personalized care and life-changing, natural-looking results. With several breast cancer survivors on our staff, we understand how difficult and overwhelming a diagnosis can be to handle, which is why we go above and beyond to help women become happier, healthier, and more confident as they move forward with their recoveries. To learn more about our breast reconstruction options or schedule your initial consultation, contact our office today.