For those without adequate abdominal tissue, other areas can be used to source the tissue and fat needed to reconstruct the breast.

During an SGAP/hip flap surgery, your physician will use the superior (upper) gluteal artery and skin and fat from your upper buttocks (“love handles”) to recreate your breasts. The resulting SGAP scar lies in the upper buttock and is easily hidden by a French cut bikini or underwear. Since no muscle is taken during the procedure, SGAP is considered a muscle-sparing surgery. Almost all patients are candidates for the SGAP breast reconstruction, and this is a particularly good option for thinner women without adequate abdominal tissue or for those who would prefer to use the upper buttock as a donor site.

For the IGAP flap surgery, your physician will use skin and fat from your lower buttocks to recreate your breasts. The resulting scar position is on the lower buttocks crease, and the inferior (lower) gluteal artery is the blood vessel used to supply the tissue. Like SGAP, IGAP is a muscle-sparing surgery and a particularly good option for thinner women without adequate abdominal tissue.

Both SGAP and IGAP donor sites can be used for unilateral or bilateral simultaneous reconstructions. Since the procedures involve the removal of skin and fat from the buttocks, the buttocks will be tighter—as if you had a buttock lift.