Top Breast Reconstruction Surgeons in South Carolina
GAP Flap Procedure
At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we believe that breast reconstruction does more than just restore a woman's physical appearance—it can also help her regain a sense of comfort, safety, and confidence in her body. It is essential that all women have access to this life-changing surgery, so we offer several types of flap-based reconstruction procedures, including the GAP procedure, to ensure they have the best possible outcome.
While tissue is often taken from the stomach for these flap-based procedures, the GAP flap technique allows us to use skin and fat from the buttocks instead. This alternative donor site makes GAP reconstruction a popular option for women with limited abdominal tissue.
With over 20 years of microsurgical experience and thousands of successful surgeries, our team of skilled breast reconstruction specialists can help you decide if this technique is right for you.
If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, our team of board-certified surgeons can provide the safe, natural results you’re looking for. Contact us to learn more about the GAP procedure and other options available at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.
Charleston’s Top Breast Reconstruction Surgeons
What Is GAP Flap Breast Reconstruction?
GAP (Gluteal Artery Perforator) flap breast reconstruction utilizes skin and fat from the buttocks, making this procedure an ideal alternative for women with minimal or unsuitable abdominal tissue. As with DIEP breast reconstruction , the surgeons harvest blood vessels from the donor site and connect them to vessels in the chest using microsurgical techniques.
There are two types of GAP procedures that use tissue from different regions of the buttock:
- SGAP Flap Surgery: Short for "Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator," this surgery takes tissue from the upper buttock.
- IGAP Flap Surgery: Short for "Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator," this surgery takes tissue from the lower buttock.
GAP breast reconstruction is very complex and challenging to execute because of the anatomy of the gluteal blood vessels. Our highly skilled surgeons have completed hundreds of these procedures with a very high success rate, making GAP our second most commonly performed type of reconstruction.
This procedure also provides the cosmetic benefit of lifting and sculpting the donor site area, providing results comparable to a “buttock lift.” The resulting scars can be covered by clothing, including undergarments and swimsuits.
Before & After Gallery
Bilateral Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap breast reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy for strong family history of breast cancer. Nipple and skin sparing mastectomy
- Age: Between 36 and 45 years old
- Weight: Between 125 and 135 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 1 year
- Technique: Bilateral GAP
Patient presents with failed implant reconstruction. Severe Capsular contracture. Removed implants and converted to natural tissue reconstruction utilizing buttocks - gluteal artery perforator flap
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 125 and 135 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 8 months
- Technique: Bilateral S GAP Gluteal Artery Perforator
Bilateral breast reconstruction with gluteal artery perforator flaps. GAP flap for breast reconstruction
- Age: Between 36 and 45 years old
- Weight: Between 145 and 155 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 9 months
- Technique: Bilateral GAP breast reconstruction
Patient presents 14 years after initial surgery to have nipple tattoos restored. GAP (buttock)FLAPs recreate breast shape and fullness.
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 145 and 155 pounds
- Height: 5'8" to 5'11"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 14 years
- Technique: Bilateral GAP (buttock) reconstruction
Patient presented to us for Delayed Bilateral Gluteal Artery Perforator Breast Reconstruction - These photos are 14 months after and she has one more revision surgery she would like to have.
She has a very complicated history and multiple failed attempts at breast reconstruction prior to coming to our center. She was diagnosed with left breast stage 111a IDC and had 4 positive lymph nodes. The cancer was treated with neoadjuvant chemo and bilateral mastectomies. Radiation was recommended but declined. She had bilateral TRAM flap reconstruction at the time of her mastectomies. Unfortunately the TRAM flaps were not largely successful so she ended up having tissue expander placement followed by bilateral latissimus flaps. She has had TE to implant exchange and several revision surgeries.
SUCCESSFUL Breast reconstruction with Delayed Bilateral GAP flaps.
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 155 and 165 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 14 months
- Technique: Bilateral GAP breast reconstruction
History of breast reconstruction: Bilateral implant placement : Bilateral implant removal with SGAP Bilateral buttocks donor site revision with fasciocutaneous advancement flaps : Bilateral breast revision with fat grafting fat grafting to bilateral breasts: Bilateral nipple reconstruction with areolar skin grafts from abdomen and skate flaps
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 100 and 115 pounds
- Height: 5'0" to 5'3"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 6 years
- Technique: Bilateral GAP Breast Reconstruction
NO PRE OPS - POST OP ONLY. Bilateral GAP (gluteal artery perforator) breast reconstruction
- Age: Between 36 and 45 years old
- Weight: Between 165 and 175 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 1 year
- Technique: Gluteal Artery Perforator Breast Reconstruction Bilateral
Long term follow up photos of patient who underwent S-GAP Breast reconstruction 10 years prior.
- Age: Between 66 and 75 years old
- Weight: Between 100 and 115 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 10 years
- Technique: Bilateral S GAP Breast Reconstruction
Primary bilateral SGAP
Stage 2: Reconstruction of SGAP donor site with fasciocutaneous pants-over-vest flaps; Stage 3: Revision of bilateral breast reconstruction & Abdominoplasty
Stage 4: Bilateral breast reconstruction revision, Bilateral fat grafting
Stage 5: Bilateral nipple reconstruction; Bilateral breast revision; Fat grafting to left upper chest
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 125 and 135 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 1 year
- Technique: Bilateral S - GAP Breast Reconstruction
Primary Bilateral IGAP flaps
Stage 2: Bilateral nipple reconstruction, revision of bilateral posterior thigh donor defects with posterior thigh flap
Stage 3: Bilateral nipple/areolar tattoos and liposuction of donor site scar
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 115 and 125 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 5 years
- Technique: Nipple Reconstruction and 3-D tattoo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a GAP procedure right for me?
The best way to determine if the GAP flap procedure is the right choice for you is to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified reconstruction specialists. During your consultation, we'll discuss the options that may be right for you based on your medical history and your goals for reconstruction surgery. We'll establish a plan together that fits your individual needs and lifestyle.
What is the recovery time for a GAP procedure?
Recovery time for a GAP flap procedure can vary depending on each patient and their individual needs. Generally, patients require 3 or 4 days of inpatient care immediately following their procedure followed by 6 to 8 weeks of outpatient recovery. Our team will provide you with detailed instructions for postoperative care before surgery. You'll also have follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing properly.
Will my insurance cover a GAP procedure?
At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we're proud to accept insurance plans for most major providers in our area. Thanks to the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies are also required to cover breast reconstruction surgery. We advise our patients to contact their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment to discuss coverage and costs.
To learn more about what plans we accept, visit our Insurance page or contact us today!
How can I get started with the best reconstruction plastic surgeon near me?
Starting your journey with The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is as easy as picking up the phone or filling out our easy-to-use online form! Our experienced team is happy to answer any questions and help book your consultation with one of our top breast reconstruction specialists. Contact us to get started!