DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Southern Maine and New Hampshire: A Natural, Advanced Solution for Post-Mastectomy Patients
If you’re a breast cancer survivor or someone considering breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, you’re likely weighing your options for the most effective and natural-looking solution. For patients in Southern Maine and New Hampshire, including cities like Portsmouth, Portland, Dover, Rochester, Biddeford, and York, one of the most advanced breast reconstruction techniques is the DIEP flap procedure. The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) breast reconstruction, performed by expert microsurgeons at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, offers a highly specialized, natural option that can restore not only the shape of the breast but also confidence and peace of mind.
Why Choose DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction?
The DIEP flap procedure is rapidly becoming one of the most recommended options for women seeking post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. Unlike traditional breast implants, which use silicone or saline implants, the DIEP flap procedure uses the patient’s own tissue from the lower abdomen to create a natural-looking breast.
Unlike the older TRAM flap procedures that involve transferring muscle, the DIEP flap only uses skin and fat, preserving the underlying muscle. This means patients can achieve a more natural feel and appearance without compromising muscle strength in their abdominal area.
Benefits of DIEP Flap Over Implant-Based Reconstruction
While breast implants remain a viable option for many, there are key benefits to choosing the DIEP flap for women in Southern Maine, New Hampshire, and surrounding areas:
1. Natural and Aesthetic Outcomes:
The primary benefit of the DIEP flap is that it uses your own fat, creating a breast that looks and feels more natural than a silicone or saline implant. This is especially appealing to women who prefer a more natural and permanent result post-surgery.
2. No Risk of Implant Complications
Implants carry risks like capsular contracture, where the scar tissue around the implant hardens, leading to discomfort and an unnatural appearance. This is particularly high in women that need radiation after mastectomy. Implants also carry risks of rupture and require periodic replacements. Since the DIEP flap uses your own tissue, it avoids these complications entirely.
3. Ideal for Women with Previous Implant Issues
For women who have undergone breast reconstruction with implants and experienced issues like infection, radiation complications, or implant failure, the DIEP flap is often the preferred choice. Many women choose to replace their implants with a DIEP flap, as it offers a permanent, more natural solution that is less likely to cause problems down the line.
4. Improved Body Contouring – Tummy Tuck with Breast Reconstruction
One often overlooked benefit of the DIEP flap is that the tissue is taken from the lower abdomen, similar to a tummy tuck. This can improve body contouring, offering a flatter, firmer abdominal area, which is an appealing bonus for many patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
When patients in Portsmouth, Portland, Dover, and nearby areas inquire about the DIEP flap, they often have several common questions. Below, we address these to help you better understand the procedure:
What is the DIEP Flap Procedure?
The DIEP flap procedure involves taking skin and fat from the lower abdomen and using that tissue to create a new breast. During the surgery, the tissue is carefully dissected, and the blood vessels are reconnected to vessels in the chest using microsurgery.
Who is a Candidate for DIEP Flap Surgery?
Most women who have undergone a mastectomy are good candidates for the DIEP flap procedure. It’s especially ideal for women who want a natural-looking breast and prefer to avoid the complications associated with implants.
Women who have enough tissue in the lower abdomen to form a breast are the best candidates. If you are relatively healthy and do not smoke, you’re likely to be an excellent candidate for the procedure.
How Long is the Recovery Time after a DIEP Flap?
Recovery from DIEP flap surgery is more involved than implant surgery, but the results are long-lasting and worth the recovery time for many women. You can expect to spend about 2 days in the hospital after the procedure.
Most patients are back to driving and work within 4 weeks. Full recovery usually takes about 8 weeks. Your abdominal area will need time to heal, and you’ll need to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities during this period.
What is the Scarring after DIEP Flap Surgery?
There will be scarring on both the abdomen and the reconstructed breast, but skilled plastic surgeons at Portsmouth Regional Hospital work to make these scars as minimal and inconspicuous as possible. Over time, scars fade significantly and become less noticeable.
Is DIEP Flap Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Yes, DIEP flap breast reconstruction is covered by insurance. Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), health insurance companies are required to cover reconstruction of the breast following a mastectomy. This includes surgery to correct asymmetry and replace existing implants with a DIEP flap if you desire or if you experience any complications such as capsular contracture, infection, or implant failure.
For women currently living with implants and seeking a more natural, permanent solution, insurance also covers the conversion to a DIEP flap reconstruction.
Why Choose The DIEP Group at Portsmouth Regional Hospital?
Patients from Southern Maine, New Hampshire, and nearby areas like Dover, Rochester, Kennebunkport, and Exeter, turn to The DIEP Group at Portsmouth Regional Hospital for their expertise in microsurgical breast reconstruction.
Expertise in Microsurgery
The surgeons at The DIEP Group specialize in microsurgery, the delicate procedure of reconnecting tiny blood vessels during DIEP flap surgery. Their expertise ensures a higher success rate and a smoother recovery for patients undergoing this complex, yet rewarding, surgery.
Comprehensive Care for Breast Cancer Survivors
From the moment you schedule a consultation to the completion of your recovery, the team at Portsmouth Regional Hospital provides compassionate and comprehensive care. Every aspect of your health and well-being is considered, ensuring that your surgical experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Local Convenience
For women in Portsmouth, Portland, Biddeford, Rochester, and Somersworth, having access to top-tier DIEP flap breast reconstruction specialists right here at Portsmouth Regional Hospital offers unparalleled convenience. There’s no need to travel far from home to receive the best possible care.
Contact Us Today
If you’re considering breast reconstruction and want to learn more about the DIEP flap procedure, contact The DIEP Group today to schedule a consultation. Our expert microsurgeons are here to answer your questions and guide you through the process, helping you make the best decision for your health and well-being.
Contact Us
⦁ Phone: (203) 200-0828
⦁ Info@thediepgroup.com
We proudly serve patients from Southern Maine and New Hampshire for DIEP flap surgery.
