Your own tissue

Autologous (Your Own Tissue) Reconstruction

Rebuilding the breast with your own tissue — including Dr. Li's signature Bra-Line Back Lift–LAT flap.

How does Autologous (Your Own Tissue) Reconstruction work?

Rebuilding the breast with your own tissue, such as a DIEP flap from the abdomen or a latissimus (LAT) flap from the back, sometimes combined with an implant. Dr. Li specializes in the LAT flap and developed the Combined Bra-Line Back Lift–LAT flap, which reconstructs the breast and contours the back in one operation.

The path

1Consult & plan
2Flap reconstruction
3Recovery
4Finishing touches

Consult & plan

Dr. Li reviews tissue options (such as a latissimus flap from the back, sometimes with an implant) and coordinates with your breast surgeon.

Flap reconstruction

The breast is rebuilt using your own tissue. With Dr. Li's Combined Bra-Line Back Lift–LAT flap, the back scar is placed along the bra line where it stays hidden, and excess back rolls can be removed in the same operation.

Recovery

Two areas — the chest and the tissue donor site — heal with the team's support.

Finishing touches

The final step: nipple reconstruction and 3D areola tattooing.

Recovery timeline

Surgery day
Early recovery
Back to daily life
Final result

A real result from Dr. Li

A 40-year-old woman with a BRCA2 mutation and prior left chest-wall radiation desired reconstruction after bilateral mastectomy. Dr. Li performed a right sub-pectoral implant and a left bra-line back lift latissimus flap (BLBL-LAT) with implant in a single surgery — the scars hidden along the bra line.

A 45-year-old woman with recurrent left breast cancer had a double mastectomy with right implant reconstruction and left chest-wall radiation. Dr. Li performed a left latissimus flap with implant, followed by nipple-areola reconstruction and 3D tattooing.

This 64-year-old patient first met Dr. Li 10 years ago after breast cancer treatment that included lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. After her reconstruction was delayed for many years by complications and life circumstances, she returned to complete her journey: a left delayed reconstruction with a pedicled latissimus flap, direct-to-implant, with a right breast lift for symmetry — restoring a natural breast shape and helping her feel whole again.

See more bra-line back lift latissimus flapresults ›

Go deeper on the Bra-Line Back Lift LAT Flap ›

Every plan is personal — Dr. Li will walk you through yours.

Request a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Where does the tissue come from?

Commonly the back (a latissimus flap) or the abdomen (a DIEP flap), sometimes combined with an implant. Dr. Li reviews the options with you.

Will the back scar be visible?

With Dr. Li's Bra-Line Back Lift–LAT flap, the scar is placed horizontally along the bra line, where it stays hidden in most cases.

Can the breast and back be done together?

Yes — the Combined Bra-Line Back Lift–LAT flap reconstructs the breast and contours the back in a single operation.

Want the full picture?

Read the full Breast Reconstruction guide ›

Meet your surgeon

Dr. Wai-Yee Li,
MD PhD FACS

A female board-certified plastic surgeon in Arcadia, Los Angeles, specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery — with a focus on the best surgical outcomes, less pain and minimal scarring.

Meet Dr. Wai-Yee Li ›