With flap surgery, tissue is taken from the back and tunneled to the front of the chest wall to support the reconstructed breast.  The transported tissue forms a flap for a breast implant, or it may provide enough bulk to form the breast mound without an implant.

Tissue may be taken from the abdomen and tunneled to the breast or surgically transplanted to form a new breast mound.

After surgery, the breast mound, nipple, and areola are restored.

Scars at the breast, nipple, and abdomen will fade substantially with time, but may never disappear entirely.