Restore your confidence with the SGAP flap, an advanced breast reconstruction option that uses your own tissue from the upper buttocks to create natural-looking results. At Advanced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Dr. Daron Geldwert and Dr. Darren S. Leong deliver compassionate, individualized care using the most advanced techniques tailored just for you.
Rebuild Breast Shape Using
the Upper Buttock Tissue
The SGAP (superior gluteal artery perforator) flap is a type of breast reconstruction that uses skin, fat, and tissue from the upper buttocks to create a natural-looking breast shape. During the procedure, microsurgery is performed to reconnect blood vessels, ensuring healthy tissue integration. The gluteal muscle is preserved, which helps maintain overall strength and function. Scarring is typically placed high on the buttocks, where it can be easily concealed by underwear or swimwear, while also offering a mild lifting effect.
What Are the Benefits of the SGAP Flap?
- Preserves the gluteal muscle, maintaining strength and function
- Provides a natural look and feel using your own tissue
- Offers a safe alternative when abdominal flaps are not possible
- Avoids the risks and drawbacks of implant-based reconstruction
- Creates long-lasting results with healthy, well-vascularized tissue
- May provide a subtle lifting and contouring effect in the buttocks
- Positions scars high on the buttocks, easily concealed by clothing
- Improves body confidence and overall quality of life
Am I a Suitable Candidate for the SGAP Flap?
The SGAP flap is often recommended for individuals who want breast reconstruction using their own natural tissue rather than implants. This is especially valuable if you do not have enough abdominal fat, have had prior abdominal surgeries, or have not been successful with other reconstruction methods. Dr. Geldwert and Dr. Leong carefully evaluate your medical history, body composition, and personal goals to determine if this approach is right for you.
You may be a candidate for the SGAP flap if:
- You prefer to use your own tissue for breast reconstruction
- You lack sufficient donor fat in the abdomen
- You are slender with lower overall body fat
- You have not had success with abdominal flaps
- You have experienced failed implant-based reconstruction
- You have not previously had liposuction in the buttocks
- You are healthy enough to undergo microsurgical reconstruction
What Happens During the SGAP Flap Procedure?
During the SGAP flap procedure, your surgeon begins by identifying the small blood vessels, called perforators, that branch from the superior gluteal artery in your upper buttock. A section of skin, fat, and tissue surrounding these blood vessels is removed while leaving the gluteal muscle fully intact. Using microsurgery under a high-powered operating microscope, these vessels are reattached to blood vessels in your chest to establish steady blood flow.
After the blood supply is secured, the tissue is shaped into a new breast mound that matches your natural breast proportions. Your surgeon may refine the contour with fat grafting for better symmetry. The incision on the buttock is closed high enough to be hidden by underwear or a swimsuit, often leaving a subtle lifting effect. This precise process allows for durable, natural-looking results without weakening your muscles.
What Is the Recovery Process Like After the SGAP Flap?
After SGAP flap surgery, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the chest and buttock donor site. Most patients stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days, allowing the surgical team to monitor blood flow to the flap. You’ll begin light movement within 48 hours to support circulation. Full recovery typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, with visible results emerging as swelling subsides. The final contour and softness can take several months to fully settle.
To help guide your healing, follow these aftercare recommendations:
- Wear a compression garment for 6 to 8 weeks to minimize swelling
- Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks
- Resume light walking within 2 to 3 days to improve circulation
- Keep drains in place until your surgeon removes them, usually 1 to 2 weeks
- Attend all follow-up visits for monitoring of flap health and incision healing
- Sleep on your side or back for 4 weeks to protect the donor area
Why Choose Advanced Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery Center?
Advanced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center is a premier destination for advanced breast reconstruction, offering the SGAP flap as a specialized option for patients seeking natural results. Led by board-certified surgeons Dr. Daron Geldwert and Dr. Darren S. Leong, our practice boasts over 35 years of combined experience in aesthetic surgery. Their expertise ensures each procedure is performed with precision, artistry, and compassion.
Dr. Geldwert and Dr. Leong frequently collaborate as co-surgeons on complex cases, combining their technical expertise with innovative techniques to deliver outcomes tailored to your unique needs. Trusted by both patients and fellow medical professionals, they focus on individualized care using the most advanced technologies available. To learn whether the SGAP flap is right for you, schedule a consultation today at our Rancho Cucamonga or Murrieta locations.
