Can Local Plastic Surgeons Handle Buttock Revisions to GAP Donor Site?

asked 2 years ago by Janie2 in St, Louis, MO
Latest answer by Michael C. Pickart, MD
Question viewed 737 times
Tags: buttocks

I had bilateral SGAP Breast Reconstruction in August. I had to travel to have it done. I have an open wound on my breast and so I'm not ready for Stage II. However, I don't want to wait to get a more comfortable contour to my behind. Can a local plastic surgeon with extensive buttock Lipo experience (but not with GAP donor site) handle this or are there medical issues unique to a GAP that would require me to go to a microvascular surgeon? The scars look fine, I just want to get rid of the uncomfortable "tail" and shape things up a bit.

5 answers to Can Local Plastic Surgeons Handle Buttock Revisions to GAP Donor Site?

SGAP Donor Sites Are NOT Tricky to Recontour

Sure, any experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon can revise your SGAP donor site. However, I would caution against haste. You still have an open wound on your chest? Was your procedure just done in August? I recommend waiting a minimum of 6-12 months before revision surgery.

Michael C. Pickart, MD
Ventura Plastic Surgeon

Revision surgery after GAP flap

Gap flaps use the gluteal tissue on a perforating blood vessel usually for breast reconstruction. It is a good option for people with not a lot of abdominal tissue. A local surgeon certainly can do a scar revision or liposuction to improve the buttock contour.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Local surgeon for revisional surgery

Revisional surgery for that area should be no problem for a local plastic surgeon. The problem you may run into is insurance coverage and/or insurance reimbursement acceptance from a different plastic surgeon than the one who did the original procedure. We plastic surgeons are that way sometimes.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Buttock revision for free flap donor site

The butock region for you is no longer an area that requires microvascular expertise. However, you should let all swelling go down for 4-6 months before any revision and probably have it done where the free flaps were done at the time of the second stage. Having done thousands of breast reconstructions, I can tell you that nobody wants a better result for you than the doctor who performs your free flap.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Buttock revisions to GAP donor site

Surgeons vary in their abilities and cosmetic "eye". You may have great and talented local Plastic surgeons where you live and would not need to travel to have this done. I would advise you to wait at least 6 months though to allow this area to heal, mature and settle down. The "uncomfortable "tail" " you are referring to feels this way because it is still inflammed, when it softens up it may not feel nor look as prominent. Based on your examination in March... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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