At Snyder Plastic Surgery at The Breast and Body Center, we want you to feel like you have options because you do. The TUG flap uses fat from the inner thigh along with the underlying gracilis muscle to provide a well-vascularized and shapely reconstruction.
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Welcome to Snyder Plastic Surgery, where your unique aesthetic goals take center stage. Our commitment is to deliver personalized care, offering a diverse range of cosmetic, reconstructive, and nonsurgical procedures for the face, breast, body, and skin.
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Surgical Technique
The TUG flap technique gives you the added benefits of slimming your inner thighs and recreating the look of your breasts with your own tissue after a mastectomy. When you are not a great candidate for breast reconstruction from your tummy fat, the TUG flap is a standout choice. In addition, very thin or athletic patients may not have enough abdominal subcutaneous fat to be a candidate for SIEA or DIEP breast reconstruction. Although the TUG flap is not performed widely in the United States, Snyder Plastic Surgery believes this reconstruction is an excellent choice for many patients and has provided some of the greatest aesthetic results.
TUG Flap Reconstruction Step-by-Step
Before
In Austin, TX, board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Ned Snyder IV can discuss in detail the tissue reconstruction options available to you based on your body, medical history, and previous surgical history. If you are looking for an alternative to breast implants and do not have enough fat on your abdomen for a DIEP flap reconstruction, you may consider the transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap.
During
During your TUG flap operation, a general anesthetic will be used, and your general surgeon may be present if you are having your mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries at the same time. Dr. Snyder will begin your reconstruction with the removal of the fatty tissues and skin of your inner thigh to relocate to the breast mound. The inner thighs can be used to reconstruct small and medium breasts; skin from the inner thigh and the underlying gracilis muscle are fashioned to construct a vascular and shapely breast. Unlike loss of the rectus muscle, loss of the gracilis muscle does not result in a significant increase in hernias or functional loss in the legs.
After
You will need 6 weeks or more to recover from TUG flap surgery. Once discharged from the hospital, your main goal should be taking care of your body and healing. During the beginning of recovery, a trusted person should be able to help you with hygiene, medication management, emptying your drains, and changing your surgical bandages.
It may be a challenge to stand up or sit a certain way for several weeks, which is frustrating yet normal. You can expect your body to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a few weeks, but you should see improvements in your health, mood, and incision sites each day. If you suspect that you have an infection in your surgical wounds or are running a fever, please call Dr. Snyder’s office immediately. It is also very important to keep all of your follow-up appointments as scheduled.
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For additional information about our services, procedures, and the patient experience at Snyder Plastic Surgery, please explore our website or contact our office. We are committed to providing comprehensive care and support from the initial consultation through recovery. Schedule a consultation today to begin your journey towards a more confident and beautiful you.
Schedule a Consultation
Take the first step towards regaining your confidence with TUG flap reconstruction at Snyder Plastic Surgery, proudly serving communities in Austin, Cedar Park, Waco, Temple, and Georgetown, TX. We understand the significant psychological and emotional benefits that breast reconstruction can bring, and we are dedicated to providing you with compassionate and personalized care. Schedule a private consultation to discuss your options and create a customized treatment plan.
