Restore natural shape and softness after mastectomy with autologous breast reconstruction in Nashville. Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy uses your own tissue to rebuild the breast, offering a personalized approach that aligns with your body and healing goals. This option is ideal if you prefer a reconstruction without implants and want lasting, natural results.
- What Are the Reasons to Consider Autologous Reconstruction?
- Autologous Reconstruction Before & After
- What Is the Recovery Process After Autologous Reconstruction?
- What Are the Types of Autologous Reconstruction?
- What Are the Benefits of Autologous Reconstruction?
- What Happens During Autologous Reconstruction?
- Contact
Restore Your Breast Using Your Own Tissue
Autologous reconstruction is a type of reconstruction that uses your own tissue from the abdomen, back, or thighs to recreate a natural-looking breast after mastectomy. Instead of implants, Dr. O’Shaughnessy uses fat, skin, and sometimes muscle to shape the new breast, ensuring a soft and more natural feel. This approach can be done at the time of mastectomy or in a delayed setting. It’s especially beneficial if you’ve had previous implant complications or prefer a reconstruction method that evolves with your body over time.
What Are the Reasons to Consider Autologous Reconstruction?
- Desire for a natural look and feel without implants
- History of implant-related complications or dissatisfaction
- Previous radiation therapy affecting implant suitability
- Preference for using your own tissue for reconstruction
- Need for a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution
- Interest in body contouring benefits from tissue harvest
- Personal values or lifestyle aligning with implant-free options
- Prior failed implant-based reconstruction attempts
What Is the Recovery Process After Autologous Reconstruction?
Recovery is more extensive than implant-based procedures since it involves healing at the breast and donor sites. You can expect to stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days for monitoring, especially to ensure proper blood flow to the new tissue. Swelling, bruising, tightness, and fatigue are common in the first few weeks. Full recovery after your autologous reconstruction in Nashville may take 6 to 8 weeks, though light activity usually resumes earlier.
To support optimal healing and comfort, you’ll need to:
- Wear compression garments on the donor site as instructed
- Keep surgical drains clean and record output if present
- Limit lifting, bending, or strenuous movement for several weeks
- Walk regularly to promote circulation and prevent clots
- Sleep on your back or side to avoid pressure on incisions
- Follow a high-protein diet to support tissue repair
- Attend all follow-up visits for wound checks and progress tracking
What Are the Types of Autologous Reconstruction?
DIEP Flap
The DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap is one of the most advanced forms of autologous reconstruction. It uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen to create a new breast without removing any abdominal muscle. This technique preserves core strength while providing natural-looking results and a flatter tummy, similar to a tummy tuck.
TRAM Flap
The TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flap also uses tissue from the lower abdomen, but includes a portion of the abdominal muscle. While it offers a reliable blood supply, it may result in longer recovery time and some weakening of the abdominal wall. It may be recommended in cases where DIEP is not feasible.
SGAP/IGAP Flap
The SGAP (superior gluteal artery perforator) and IGAP (inferior gluteal artery perforator) flaps use tissue from the upper or lower buttock, respectively. These options are ideal if you’re lean or lack enough abdominal tissue. They require microsurgical expertise and offer excellent cosmetic outcomes without compromising muscle function.
TUG Flap
The TUG (transverse upper gracilis) flap uses skin, fat, and a portion of the gracilis muscle from the inner thigh to reconstruct the breast mound. It’s suitable for smaller breast sizes and is a strong alternative when abdominal or gluteal tissue isn’t available. It also provides the added benefit of inner thigh contouring, similar to a thigh lift.
What Are the Benefits of Autologous Reconstruction?
- Uses your own living tissue for a more natural feel
- Avoids risks and complications associated with implants
- Better tolerance in radiated skin compared to implants
- Long-lasting results that age naturally with your body
- Improved body contouring at the donor site (e.g., abdomen or thighs)
- Reduced long-term maintenance compared to implant-based reconstruction
- No risk of implant rupture, leakage, or capsular contracture
- Greater warmth and softness to the touch
What Happens During Autologous Reconstruction?
Dr. O’Shaughnessy will remove a flap of skin, fat, and sometimes muscle from a donor site, most commonly the lower abdomen (DIEP or TRAM flap), back (latissimus dorsi flap), or inner thigh (TUG flap). Using microsurgical methods, Dr. O’Shaughnessy will reconnect the blood vessels to those in your chest under a microscope to ensure tissue perfusion.
You’ll be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure, which may last 6 to 8 hours, depending on the technique. Once the flap is shaped to recreate your breast mound, both the breast and donor sites are closed with layered sutures to optimize healing and reduce visible scarring. Dr. O’Shaughnessy often incorporates fat grafting or nipple reconstruction techniques to refine your results.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. O’Shaughnessy
Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 17+ years of experience, specializing in natural, long-lasting breast reconstruction techniques. With advanced training in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, she offers state-of-the-art techniques. As a female surgeon, Dr. O’Shaughnessy brings an empathetic perspective to your surgery. If you’re considering autologous reconstruction in Nashville, schedule a consultation today.
