Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Serving Denver, Lone Tree, Colorado & Nationwide
Autologous breast reconstruction uses your own tissue (most commonly fat, skin, and sometimes muscle) that is taken from a different area of your body to re-create your breast. This breast reconstruction technique is capable of achieving more natural-looking and durable results than reconstruction with implants alone. For most patients, complete restoration of the breast is possible in just a few stages, most of which will take place right here at our on-site surgical center.
There are many options available today for autologous breast reconstruction. After performing an examination, our experienced Colorado breast reconstruction surgeons can help you determine the best method for your needs.
To learn more about this reconstruction technique, please call The Breast Center Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery at 303-706-1100 today. We proudly serve patients from Denver, Lone Tree, and nearby areas in Colorado.
What is Autologous Reconstruction?
In autologous breast reconstruction, skin, fat, and sometimes muscle tissue are taken from one area of the body in the form of a flap and then relocated to the chest, carrying its own blood supply. This tissue is used to create a new breast that often looks and feels natural.
There are two forms of flaps used today in breast reconstruction — Pedicled and Free Flaps:
- A Pedicled Flap is a flap that has been rotated or moved from its original location to reconstruct a defect nearby, without losing that blood supply.
- A Free Flap is a flap whose blood supply is cut to move the tissue a longer distance for relocation. Free flaps are newer techniques, developed about 20 years ago, and have since become widely used in breast reconstruction.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons are among the few in the nation who have the microsurgical training to perform free flaps and reconnect the blood vessels.
Autologous Breast Reconstruction Techniques
At our practice, the DIEP flap is the preferred method of autologous reconstruction. It is a muscle-sparing procedure that uses excess tissue from the lower belly, thus giving the added benefit of a slimmer abdominal area.
While we prefer the DIEP flap, there may be cases when another method would be more appropriate for you. Our surgeons have received training for these procedures, but we will often refer you to another physician for surgery.
Other available autologous breast reconstruction procedures include the following:
- SGAP Flap: This procedure uses tissue from the buttock area, and can be a good option for women who do not have enough excess abdominal tissue to accommodate a DIEP Flap.
- TUG Flap: The TUG Flap is a method that uses skin and fat from the inner thigh region, relocating this tissue to the chest wall to reconstruct the breast.
- TRAM Flap and Free TRAM Flap: These flap procedures utilize skin and fat in the abdominal area, but they take the rectus abdominis muscle as well. Even if only a small portion of the muscle is repositioned to the new breast, it can create abdominal weakness.
- Latissimus Flap: The Latissimus Flap is a technique that uses the skin, fat, and a part or all of the latissimus muscle from one side of the back. This can be a good option for patients with limited donor sites, such as the abdomen or buttocks. It is also a good choice for patients with damage to one breast from radiation.
Our board-certified surgeons will discuss your options in detail and recommend the procedure that best meets your needs and expectations.
Benefits of Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Choosing autologous reconstruction offers several important advantages over implant-based methods, including:
- Uses your own tissue for a more natural look and feel
- Produces durable, long-lasting results
- Avoids risks such as implant rupture or capsular contracture
- Requires fewer long-term maintenance procedures compared to implants
- Supports better healing in skin that has been treated with radiation
- Restores improved balance and symmetry between the breasts
- Offers peace of mind knowing the reconstruction is fully your own tissue
Patient Testimonial
"Park Meadows, the staff, and of course Dr. Chris are the best medical care I have ever received. I am continually amazed at how everyone spends the extra time and attention at Park Meadows. They really strive to provide excellent follow-up care and Dr. Chris’ expertise is unbelievable. I have never been given a surgeon’s cell phone number before and told to call if I have any problems or questions. I have never had to use it as my procedure went perfectly. Thank you!"
Perforator-Based Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Perforator-based microsurgical breast reconstruction is the most state-of-the-art method currently used in autologous breast reconstruction. This method uses techniques that spare your muscles and nerves, aiming to limit damage to the donor site by harvesting only the artery and veins (i.e., the blood vessels that “perforate” your muscles). This technique leaves your muscles in place, instead of having them taken with the flap and causing more significant damage.
Because this method requires so much extra time and effort, very few plastic surgeons use it – but we do whenever possible, for the benefit of our patients. DIEP flaps, SGAP flaps, and TUG flaps are all examples of perforator-based flaps.
Who is a candidate for Autologous Breast Reconstruction?
There are several factors that help qualify a woman to undergo autologous breast reconstruction. Your surgeon will help you understand which methods are available to you during your consultation.
Generally speaking, women who have enough excess tissue to accommodate the creation of a flap are usually good candidates for autologous reconstruction. These women understand the risks associated with all flap techniques and have determined that this option will likely produce a more natural, longer-lasting result than other methods of reconstruction, including implant-based reconstruction.
Autologous tissue breast reconstruction can be a good option in many different situations, such as:
- First-time cancer diagnosis
- BRCA positive (high-risk for developing breast cancer)
- Removal of prior breast implants that have failed or are painful
- Prior lumpectomy and radiation
- Prior mastectomy and no reconstruction
Our experienced and caring plastic surgeons will help you determine if you are a good candidate for this breast reconstruction method. We will also discuss how your flap-based reconstruction will be planned along with your mastectomy. Based on your cancer and your general surgeon's assessment, you can choose a skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy prior to reconstruction.
Why Choose Our Surgeons for Autologous Breast Reconstruction?
At The Breast Center Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery in Lone Tree, CO, patients are treated by two highly trained, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons: Dr. Christopher G. Williams and Dr. Jeremy Z. Williams. Both completed their plastic surgery residencies at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, long recognized as one of the nation’s top medical institutions. Their advanced training includes microsurgical techniques that allow them to perform complex procedures such as the DIEP flap.
Dr. Christopher Williams brings additional expertise through specialized training in peripheral nerve surgery and microsurgical breast reconstruction, along with published research and patents in tissue engineering. Dr. Jeremy Williams, a Colorado native, combines his reconstructive skills with a strong background in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. Together, they provide patients with safe options for breast reconstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, modern autologous reconstruction techniques aim to spare muscle, which helps limit long-term weakness. Procedures like the DIEP flap use skin and fat from the lower abdomen while leaving the abdominal muscles intact. This greatly reduces the chance of losing core strength compared to older techniques such as the TRAM flap, which removes muscle. Some procedures may involve a small degree of muscle sacrifice, but your surgeon will explain the expected outcomes for your specific case.
Scarring varies depending on the type of flap used and the donor site. For example, a DIEP flap typically leaves a low, hip-to-hip scar across the lower abdomen, similar to a tummy tuck incision. Other flap procedures may leave scars on the thigh, buttock, or back. Over time, the scars generally fade and become less noticeable. Your surgeon will review scar placement with you in advance so you know what to expect.
Yes, autologous breast reconstruction is often a good option for women who have undergone radiation. Radiation can make implant-based reconstruction more challenging, but using your own tissue improves blood supply to the area and may heal better in previously radiated skin. Your surgeon will evaluate your individual situation and recommend the safest and most reliable approach.
Yes. Once the breast mound has healed, many women choose to complete their reconstruction with nipple reconstruction or tattooing. These procedures are typically done in a separate stage and can add a more natural appearance to the reconstructed breast. Some women opt for tattooing alone, while others combine surgical nipple creation with tattooing for added detail.
Most women return to normal activities after healing, with results that are stable and long-lasting. Because the breast is rebuilt using living tissue, it changes naturally with your body over time.
Some patients notice improvements in body contour at the donor site as well. While sensation in the reconstructed breast may be reduced, many women report high satisfaction with the look and feel of their results.
Schedule Your Autologous Breast Reconstruction Consultation in Lone Tree, CO
If you live near Denver or Lone Tree and you are interested in learning more about autologous breast reconstruction surgery in Colorado, please contact The Breast Center Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery today. You can fill out the form on this page or call us at 303-706-1100 to schedule your initial consultation.
We have several women who have volunteered to be contacted by other patients to discuss any questions or concerns candidates may have — those lists are available at our office. These women have finished reconstruction and can offer personal insight, suggestions, and helpful tips to women starting the reconstruction process.