Microsurgery is an advanced technique that uses your living tissue to rebuild areas affected by cancer, trauma, or major surgery. At the Pennsylvania Institute for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Stephen Lu uses microsurgical techniques in central PA to perform complex free flap reconstructions, providing you with natural, lasting results tailored to your specific needs.
Repair Delicate Structures With Microsurgical Precision
Microsurgery in Cumberland County is a specialized surgical technique that uses a powerful operating microscope to reconnect tiny blood vessels and tissues, allowing living tissue to be transferred from one part of your body to another. Dr. Lu uses advanced microsurgery techniques for breast reconstruction after mastectomy, but it’s also used for trauma, cancer, and head and neck reconstruction. With microsurgery, Dr. Lu can create natural, lasting results that restore form and function, giving you the best chance for long-term healing.
Advantages of Microsurgery:
- Uses your own living tissue for natural, lasting results
- Avoids implant-related risks such as rupture or capsular contracture
- Preserves muscle strength and function at the donor site
- Provides soft, natural look and feel
- Can be tailored to your unique anatomy and goals
- Restores both form and function for long-term healing
- Considered the gold standard in breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Microsurgery in Breast Reconstruction:
When you’re considering breast reconstruction after mastectomy, microsurgery offers one of the most advanced and natural options available. Using techniques such as the DIEP flap (deep inferior epigastric perforator) or PAP flap (profunda artery perforator), Dr. Lu transfers your own tissue, including skin, fat, and tiny blood vessels, from one part of your body to the chest. Under the microscope, he reconnects delicate vessels to ensure the tissue survives and thrives, creating a soft, natural breast without the risks of implants.
This is considered the gold standard because it delivers results that look and feel authentic while preserving muscle function at the donor site. For women who may not have sufficient abdominal tissue for a DIEP flap, alternatives like the PAP flap, TUG flap (transverse upper gracilis flap), or latissimus flap may also be considered. With microsurgical precision, Dr. Lu tailors each reconstruction to your unique anatomy and personal goals.
Restore Natural Sensation With Resensation
After a mastectomy, it’s common to lose feeling in the chest because the sensory nerves are cut during surgery. For many women, this numbness can be just as difficult as the loss of the breast itself. Dr. Lu offers Resensation®, a technique that reconnects these nerves during breast reconstruction or even at the time of mastectomy. By carefully repairing nerves, he gives them the chance to regrow, helping patients gradually regain touch, temperature, and pressure and restore both the appearance and sensation of natural breasts.
Other Possible Applications of Microsurgery:
- Head and neck reconstruction after cancer surgery
- Soft tissue coverage following traumatic injuries
- Orthopedic oncology reconstruction for large tissue defects
- Complex wound coverage requiring a reliable blood supply
- Restoration of form and function in challenging anatomical areas
Microsurgery FAQs
How long is the recovery after microsurgery?
Your recovery depends on the type of reconstruction you’ve had and the donor site used for the flap. In most cases, you can expect to spend two nights in the hospital so Dr. Lu and his team can closely monitor the blood flow to the flap.
Once you’re home, you’ll need to take it easy, but many patients are able to return to driving and desk work within about two weeks. By around one month, most patients feel largely recovered, though it’s important to avoid strenuous activity until about six weeks after surgery. Healing continues over the following months, and a planned revision or refinement procedure is often scheduled three to six months later to fine-tune your results.
Will I Need More Than One Surgery?
It’s very common for microsurgery-based breast reconstruction to involve more than one procedure. The first surgery focuses on creating the new breast mound using your own tissue. Later, a revision procedure may be recommended to fine-tune shape, improve symmetry with the opposite breast, or add contour and projection. Some women also choose nipple reconstruction or tattooing as a finishing step.
Am I Eligible for Autologous Reconstruction if I’ve Already Had Implants, No Reconstruction, or I’m Unhappy With My Current Results?
Yes. Thanks to the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, you have insurance coverage for breast reconstruction at any point after mastectomy, whether you previously chose implants, no reconstruction, or are dissatisfied with past results. Dr. Lu will review your medical history, perform a thorough examination, and provide honest advice on what’s possible. It’s not uncommon for him to remove implants and replace them with DIEP flaps, even if the original surgery was done a year ago or 15 years ago.
Meet Dr. Stephen Lu
Dr. Stephen Lu is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with fellowship training in microsurgery, craniofacial, and pediatric surgery. Trained with the best in Manhattan, he brings world-class expertise to Pennsylvania while offering the warmth of a small-town practice. Widely respected by fellow physicians and trusted by patients, Dr. Lu is committed to delivering natural results. If you’re considering microsurgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lu today to explore your options for lasting restoration and recovery.
