Flap Surgery Before and After

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Flap surgery is a reconstructive technique that involves moving healthy skin, fat, muscle, or a combination of tissues from one part of the body to another to repair complex wounds, defects, or surgical areas. Unlike skin grafts, flaps maintain their own blood supply, making them ideal for deeper, more demanding reconstructions.

Flap procedures are used after trauma, cancer surgery, infections, burns, or congenital conditions, and are essential in restoring both function and aesthetics.

• Individuals with large or deep wounds where bone, tendon, or vital structures are exposed.

• Patients with defects after cancer removal (e.g., breast cancer, head and neck, or skin cancers) requiring more complex tissue coverage.

• Those with severe trauma or crush injuries resulting in significant tissue loss.

• Patients with chronic non-healing wounds where simpler treatments like skin grafts are not sufficient.

• Individuals needing reconstruction of areas that require good blood supply, contour, or function (such as the face, hands, or breasts).

Before surgery:  Medications that cause bleeding or easy bruisability like anticoagulants should be stopped 1-2 weeks prior to surgery.  Preoperative laboratories and medical clearance are done to ensure patient safety.  

Anesthesia: general anesthesia 

Incision: Flap surgery is a reconstructive procedure where a piece of living tissue (skin, fat, and sometimes muscle) with its own blood supply is moved from one part of the body to another to cover a wound or defect. The tissue may remain attached at one end (local or regional flap) or be completely detached and reconnected using microsurgery (free flap). This technique provides better healing, durability, and contour, especially for deeper or more complex wounds.

Procedure Time:  2-5 hours depending on severity

• Post-op Course: After flap surgery, patients are closely monitored—especially in the first few days—to make sure the transferred tissue has a good blood supply and is healing well. There may be swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort, and both the donor and recipient sites will have dressings and stitches that are removed over time. Recovery can take several weeks, with gradual return to normal activities, and follow-up visits are important to ensure proper healing and the best functional and cosmetic outcome.

• Suture Removal: sutures are removed after 10-14 days.  Drains will be removed if output is less than 20cc in 24 hours.
   
• Downtime: 2-4 weeks for swelling; most return to work in 3-4 weeks.

• Scarring:  scars are usually visible for 1-3 months and will gradually fade over 6-12 months
   
• Results: the goal is to achieve stable wound coverage with living tissue that looks and functions as close to normal as possible. The area may have some scarring and may not look exactly the same as before, but it is usually more durable and natural compared to simpler repairs. Over time, the flap settles, softens, and blends better with surrounding tissue, improving both appearance and function.

Q: How is flap surgery different from skin grafting?
A: Unlike skin grafts, flaps carry their own blood supply, making them suitable for deeper wounds and areas with poor circulation.

Q: Is this procedure painful?
A: It is done under anesthesia. Postoperative discomfort is managed with pain medications and proper wound care.

Q: What are the risks?
A: As with any surgery, there’s a risk of bleeding, infection, or flap failure. The surgeon carefully plans and monitors each case to maximize success rates.

Q: Will the flap look natural?
A: Yes, the surgeon ensures that both function and cosmetic outcome are addressed, especially in exposed or sensitive areas like the face, breast, or extremities.

Dr. Aicee Bernal is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced experience in flap design and complex tissue reconstruction. Whether using a local flap or regional flap technique, she carefully evaluates each patient’s needs to achieve long-lasting, functional, and natural-looking results.

Her skill in both aesthetic finesse and medical precision ensures that each flap surgery is as effective as it is minimally invasive — particularly important for visible areas like the face, breast, or limbs.

Whether you're recovering from trauma, surgery, or chronic wounds, flap surgery can restore both form and function.
Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Aicee Bernal, one of the Philippines’ most trusted plastic and reconstructive surgeons.