The patient is a woman with a mastectomy on the left and ptotic (droopy) breast on the right who presents for a Trans Rectus Abdominus Muscle Flap and Mastopexy (breast lift). The ultimate goal is symmetry in the setting of a native breast on one side and mastectomy flaps on the other. The TRAM, while a large operation, supplies natural feeling fat from the abdomen to the breast location and gives a permanent result without the potential downsides of an implant. Not all patients are candidates, nor do all want the additional risks associated with a TRAM.
