Typically, breast reconstruction with autologous tissue occurs in three stages. For deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps, the skin and fat is harvested from the lower abdomen and transferred to the mastectomy site. In the second stage of the reconstruction which occurs at a later date, a symmetry procedure is performed on the reconstructed breast mound. Additionally, at that time, the abdominal donor site may be revised to improve the abdominal contour or liposuction may be performed as well. The third stage in autologous tissue reconstruction involves placement of a nipple areola complex on the reconstructed breast mound.
