Surgical Methods of Breast Reconstruction Using Your Own Tissue (Autologous Reconstruction)

DIEP Flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap)

Most common and advanced method that uses skin and fat from the lower abdomen but preserves the abdominal muscles.

Uses only skin and fat (no muscle)
Tummy tuck effect – Flattens the abdomen
Best for women with extra belly fat
Requires microsurgery to reconnect blood vessels
Long-lasting & natural results

Considered the “gold standard” for breast reconstruction due to its durability and natural appearance.

SIEA Flap (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery Flap)

Similar to DIEP but with different blood vessels.

Also taken from the lower abdomen
Less invasive than DIEP but only suitable for certain patients
Not as commonly performed due to variability in blood supply

Best for women who have good superficial blood vessels but want to avoid deeper surgery.

TRAM Flap (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle Flap)

Uses skin, fat, and part of the rectus muscle from the lower abdomen.

Tummy tuck effect – Flattens the abdomen
Can be pedicled (remains attached) or free (requires microsurgery)
More invasive than DIEP, since it removes part of the abdominal muscle
Higher risk of abdominal weakness compared to DIEP

Best for women who do not qualify for DIEP but have enough lower abdominal tissue.

SGAP/IGAP Flap (Superior/Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap)

Uses tissue from the buttocks instead of the abdomen.

Best for thin women who don’t have enough belly fat
Leaves no muscle loss (only skin & fat)
Natural feel & permanent results
More challenging surgery, requires a skilled microsurgeon

An alternative for women who cannot have abdominal flap procedures.

TUG Flap (Transverse Upper Gracilis Flap)

Uses tissue from the inner thigh to create a breast.

Provides a natural breast shape
Results in slimmer inner thighs (like a thigh lift)
Small to medium-sized breast reconstruction
May include some muscle loss

Best for women who want a moderate breast size and also desire thigh contouring.

Latissimus Dorsi Flap

Uses skin, fat, and muscle from the upper back to reconstruct the breast.

Reliable blood supply – Less risk of complications
Can be combined with an implant if more volume is needed
Leaves a scar on the back but is well-hidden
Muscle removal may cause some back weakness

Best for women who lack sufficient tissue in the abdomen or thighs.

FAT GRAFTING (LIPOFILLING)

Minimally invasive method that uses fat transferred from another area of the body.

No large incisions or scars
Good for small volume reconstruction or fine-tuning other procedures
Requires multiple sessions for best results
Not ideal for full breast reconstruction

Best for women who need minor corrections after another reconstruction surgery.

Comparison of Breast Reconstruction Methods

Procedure	Tissue Source	Uses Muscle?	Microsurgery Required?	Best For
DIEP Flap	Lower abdomen	No	Yes	Women wanting a tummy tuck effect with no muscle loss
SIEA Flap	Lower abdomen	No	Yes	Women with good superficial blood vessels
TRAM Flap	Lower abdomen	Yes	Yes (if free flap) or No (if pedicled)	Women who don’t qualify for DIEP
SGAP/IGAP Flap	Buttocks	No	Yes	Thin women with no abdominal tissue
TUG Flap	Inner thighs	Yes	Yes	Women wanting a thigh lift effect
Latissimus Dorsi Flap	Upper back	Yes	No (usually)	Women lacking abdominal or thigh fat
Fat Grafting	Any area with extra fat	No	No	Small corrections, not full reconstruction

Choosing the right method depends on your body type, health, and goals!

What Are the Benefits of Using Your Own Tissue for Breast Reconstruction?

Compared to implants, autologous reconstruction offers:

More natural look & feel – Soft, warm, and moves naturally
No foreign materials – Eliminates implant-related complications
Permanent results – No replacements needed
Better symmetry – Since the tissue is your own, it ages naturally

Most women prefer flap reconstruction for a lifelong, natural result.

Who Performs These Procedures?

These surgeries require a skilled:

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon – Specializing in breast reconstruction
Microsurgeon – Reconnects tiny blood vessels for free flap procedures
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Specialist – Experienced with mastectomy patients Only highly trained specialists perform advanced microsurgical techniques like DIEP, SGAP, and TUG flaps.

How Much Does Autologous Breast Reconstruction Cost in Turkey?

Turkey offers world-class reconstruction at a fraction of the cost compared to the USA and UK.

Procedure	Cost in Turkey (€/$)	Cost in USA ($)	Cost in UK (£)
DIEP Flap	€7,000 – €12,000 ($7,500 – $13,000)	$25,000 – $50,000	£18,000 – £30,000
SGAP/IGAP Flap	€8,000 – €14,000 ($8,500 – $15,000)	$30,000 – $60,000	£22,000 – £35,000
TRAM Flap	€6,000 – €10,000 ($6,500 – $11,000)	$15,000 – $35,000	£12,000 – £25,000

Turkey offers expert microsurgery at affordable prices!

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Safe, affordable, and expert breast reconstruction in Turkey!