SIEA Flap in Austin

Name: SIEA Flap
Brand: Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

The SIEA flap procedure is an advanced breast reconstruction technique known for its ability to create exceptionally natural-looking and feeling results.

Achieve Natural-Looking Breast Reconstruction With an SIEA Flap in Austin

For many women who have dealt with a breast cancer diagnosis requiring either a mastectomy or lumpectomy, restoring the natural appearance of their breast is a top priority. At Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, our skilled reconstructive surgeons offer several effective methods for breast reconstruction. One of those methods is the SIEA flap, which is a relatively advanced technique known for consistently providing natural-looking and feeling results.

What Is a SIEA Flap?

Like a DIEP Flap, a superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA flap) at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is an advanced breast reconstruction technique in which your surgeon uses your own living tissue instead of an implant to create your new breast. The advantages are a natural-looking and natural-feeling breast made of healthy, soft, living tissue that, unlike an implant, will not need to be replaced.

For the SIEA flap technique, your surgeon removes a flap of skin and fat from your abdominal area without opening the underlying fascia and muscle or disrupting your motor nerves. The incision is placed low, much like a tummy tuck, with the secondary benefit of a flatter postoperative abdominal contour. The flap is then carefully shaped and transferred to your chest. The blood vessels are connected to those in your chest wall or under your arm. It is this part of the procedure in particular—severing the very small blood vessels and reconnecting them using a microscope—that requires advanced technical skills, experience, and microsurgery training.

siea flap infographic

How Does an SIEA Flap Differ From a DIEP Flap?

The type of artery and vein used to supply blood to the newly reconstructed breast is the primary difference between a SIEA flap, which uses the blood vessels found in the fatty tissue just below the skin, and a DIEP flap, which uses deeper vessels under the rectus abdominis muscle. This difference makes a SIEA flap reconstruction a more technically demanding procedure. Less than 20 percent of patients have the appropriate vascular anatomy to sustain a SIEA flap. Your surgeon will make a preliminary determination that this flap is appropriate based on a preoperative vascular CT scan. Only after examining the blood vessels in the operating room can your surgeon make a final determination.

What Is the Recovery Like After a SIEA Flap Breast Reconstruction?

The SIEA flap technique requires more initial operating time than an implant reconstruction, but the reconstruction is complete in one surgery. Your SIEA flap surgery recovery requires several days of rest in the hospital to monitor the flap before you are sent home. Most patients can expect to be sore and experience low energy for the first couple of weeks after surgery. You’ll also experience swelling and bruising, which should gradually subside over several weeks. Typically, patients can resume light activity such as walks and driving after two weeks of rest, but it’s important to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for at least six weeks. During your recovery, it’s important to do the following:

Get lots of rest
Start taking light walks regularly to keep your blood flowing
Stay hydrated
Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet
Contact your doctor immediately if you encounter any unusual complications

Who Is a Good Candidate for a SIEA Flap Breast Reconstruction in Austin?

Women seeking comprehensive breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy could be good candidates for a SIEA flap procedure at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. This reconstruction technique can be an excellent option for women who want their affected breast to look and feel as natural as possible after a breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. To be a candidate for this procedure, it’s important that you have a sufficient amount of available tissue in your abdominal area to create the flap.

When you have your initial consultation with one of our expert reconstructive surgeons, they’ll evaluate every aspect of your situation to determine if an SIEA flap is right for you.

This will include communicating with your oncologist and breast cancer surgeon as well as learning about your current health, medical history, and specific goals for the procedure.

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

At Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, our award-winning surgeons have successfully performed over 6,000 breast reconstruction procedures. Our expert team is known for consistently achieving natural-looking results, allowing our patients to regain their self-confidence and feel feminine once again. We believe in compassionate, patient-centric care, and we take a personalized approach to every breast reconstruction we perform. Throughout the treatment experience, our surgeons and the rest of our patient care staff will ensure that you’re comfortable, relaxed, and fully satisfied with your results. If you’d like to schedule a private consultation with one of our skilled reconstructive surgeons, contact us today.