What is DIEP Flap Surgery?
DIEP Flap Surgery
After a mastectomy, there are several different surgical procedures which can be used for breast reconstruction. One of the preferred techniques is the DIEP flap reconstruction surgery. DIEP stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap surgery. The procedure uses abdominal skin and fat taken from the patient and then reconstructs a natural looking soft breast to replace the breast which was removed through mastectomy.
Advantages of the DIEP Flap Procedure
There are many benefits of choosing the DIEP flap procedure for breast reconstruction. The procedure will not weaken the abdominal area as it does not use muscles from the area. The tissue that is taken from the abdomen can easily be made into a soft, natural looking breast. The flesh that is taken will already have a good supply of blood. The procedure is less invasive to the body so it will require a shorter hospital stay as well as a quicker recovery than some of the other types of breast reconstruction surgeries. The DIEP flap technique can be completed at the same time the mastectomy is completed and there are not any types of mesh or synthetics used.
DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
A Short Hills cosmetic surgeon can perform a DIEP flap procedure. The will not remove any muscle from the abdomen but will cut fat, blood vessels and skin form the lower portions of the belly and move it up into the chest in order to reconstruct the breast. Once it is moved up into the chest, the surgeon will reattach the blood vessels of the flap to the chest’s blood vessels. This is a microsurgical procedure and will not require an elongated time for recovery. There should be no loss of abdominal strength. Tissue can only be removed from the belly one time for breast construction. For those who are considering a prophylactic removal to reconstruct a breast, there are many things to consider. Once you have a DIEP flap reconstruction to rebuild one breast, if you need the other breast reconstructed at a later time the tissues will have to come from another portion of the body like the buttocks or the back. It is still possible to undergo breast reconstruction using a surgical implant.
What to Expect
One thing women enjoy about having the DIEP flap procedure completed is that it will flatten and tighten the abdomen. It may have the same effect as a tummy tuck. However, there will be a visible scar in the area where the tissue was removed. It can stretch from one hipbone to the other. Most of the time, this scar is not visible to others as it will be located just below the bikini line. Sometimes after the surgical procedure the belly button may be misaligned or distorted. A plastic surgeon can help reshape the belly so that the belly button is more aesthetically pleasing and does not look out of place.
Who is a good candidate for the DIEP?
Even though the DIEP is very popular because of the reduced recovery time and because muscle is not removed, a DEIP is not the best option for every single person. Women who smoke or who plan on getting pregnant at some later time are not good candidates for the procedure. It is also not ideal for those who have had numerous abdominal surgeries. Most women have excessive belly tissue in their abdomen that they are very willing to get rid of in order to have breast reconstruction surgery. But many women do not have enough extra tissue in the abdomen to be able to reconstruct a breast. It is important that the woman be healthy and have plenty of extra tissue in the belly.
Advantages of the DIEP Flap Procedure
There are many benefits of choosing the DIEP flap procedure for breast reconstruction. The procedure will not weaken the abdominal area as it does not use muscles from the area. The tissue that is taken from the abdomen can easily be made into a soft, natural looking breast. The flesh that is taken will already have a good supply of blood. The procedure is less invasive to the body so it will require a shorter hospital stay as well as a quicker recovery than some of the other types of breast reconstruction surgeries. The DIEP flap technique can be completed at the same time the mastectomy is completed and there are not any types of mesh or synthetics used.
DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
A Short Hills cosmetic surgeon can perform a DIEP flap procedure. The will not remove any muscle from the abdomen but will cut fat, blood vessels and skin form the lower portions of the belly and move it up into the chest in order to reconstruct the breast. Once it is moved up into the chest, the surgeon will reattach the blood vessels of the flap to the chest’s blood vessels. This is a microsurgical procedure and will not require an elongated time for recovery. There should be no loss of abdominal strength. Tissue can only be removed from the belly one time for breast construction. For those who are considering a prophylactic removal to reconstruct a breast, there are many things to consider. Once you have a DIEP flap reconstruction to rebuild one breast, if you need the other breast reconstructed at a later time the tissues will have to come from another portion of the body like the buttocks or the back. It is still possible to undergo breast reconstruction using a surgical implant.
What to Expect
One thing women enjoy about having the DIEP flap procedure completed is that it will flatten and tighten the abdomen. It may have the same effect as a tummy tuck. However, there will be a visible scar in the area where the tissue was removed. It can stretch from one hipbone to the other. Most of the time, this scar is not visible to others as it will be located just below the bikini line. Sometimes after the surgical procedure the belly button may be misaligned or distorted. A plastic surgeon can help reshape the belly so that the belly button is more aesthetically pleasing and does not look out of place.
Who is a good candidate for the DIEP?
Even though the DIEP is very popular because of the reduced recovery time and because muscle is not removed, a DEIP is not the best option for every single person. Women who smoke or who plan on getting pregnant at some later time are not good candidates for the procedure. It is also not ideal for those who have had numerous abdominal surgeries. Most women have excessive belly tissue in their abdomen that they are very willing to get rid of in order to have breast reconstruction surgery. But many women do not have enough extra tissue in the abdomen to be able to reconstruct a breast. It is important that the woman be healthy and have plenty of extra tissue in the belly.