Introduction: World-Class Reconstruction Close to Home
If you’re planning a mastectomy—or living with the after-effects of implant reconstruction—you deserve a solution that’s natural, permanent, and comfortable. At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, the fellowship-trained microsurgeons of The DIEP Group offer DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the gold standard autologous option that rebuilds the breast using your own tissue.
Covered by insurance at the time of mastectomy or any time later, DIEP flaps feel soft and warm, avoid future implant exchanges, and include a tummy tuck–like abdominal contouring benefit. We serve patients across New Hampshire (Portsmouth, Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Dover, Rochester, Keene, Derry, Salem) and Southern Maine (Portland, York, Kennebunk, Biddeford, Kittery, Saco), offering a convenient alternative to traveling into Boston.
Visit our Before and After DIEP Flap Gallery
What Is a DIEP Flap?
The Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap is an autologous reconstruction: we transfer skin and fat from the lower abdomen to the chest and reconnect tiny blood vessels under a microscope.
- Muscle-sparing: Unlike older TRAM flaps, no abdominal muscle is taken.
- Natural feel: The breast is rebuilt with your own living tissue—soft, warm, and responsive.
- Abdominal benefit: Removing lower-abdominal tissue produces a flatter, smoother belly (tummy-tuck effect).
Why Choose The DIEP Group in Portsmouth?
- Fellowship-trained microsurgeons focused on advanced autologous reconstruction.
- High-volume DIEP experience across New England.
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways for comfort and faster recovery.
- Insurance navigation for immediate and delayed cases, including implant-to-DIEP conversions.
- Local access at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, convenient for NH and Southern Maine.
DIEP vs. Implants: What Patients Care About Most
Implant downsides (common reasons patients switch):
- Capsular contracture (hard, painful implants)
- Radiation-related problems (tightness, distortion, pain)
- Rupture or silicone leakage and anxiety about MRIs/monitoring
- Recalled textured implants
- Repeat surgeries every 10–15 years for exchanges
DIEP flap advantages:
- Permanent (no scheduled exchanges)
- Soft, warm, natural feel and shape
- Ages with you and adapts with weight changes
- No leakage, no device to monitor or replace
- Better option after radiation in many cases
Key point: You can switch to DIEP at any time—even if your implants aren’t failing. Insurance covers immediate or delayed DIEP reconstruction, including elective implant-to-DIEP conversion.
Who’s a Candidate?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are having a mastectomy (unilateral or bilateral), or
- Had implant reconstruction and now want a natural, permanent result, or
- Have implant issues (capsular contracture, rupture/leak, radiation change, recall), and
- Have adequate lower-abdominal tissue and overall good surgical health.
If you’re thin or have limited abdominal tissue, we’ll discuss stacked flaps, alternative donor sites, or hybrid (small implant + small flap) approaches.
The Surgery Day at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
- Pre-op & mapping: Imaging and planning for optimal blood vessels.
- Microsurgery: Abdominal tissue is transferred; vessels are connected under a microscope.
- Shaping: We sculpt the breast for symmetry and natural contour.
- Abdomen closure: Layered, tension-reducing closure preserves muscles; tummy-tuck–like contouring.
- Monitoring: You’ll recover in a specialized unit with frequent flap checks.
Typical OR time: ~6–8 hours for bilateral; ~4–6 hours for unilateral (varies by anatomy).
Recovery: What to Expect
- Hospital stay: ~2 days for flap monitoring and ERAS pain control.
- Week 1–2: Walk daily, manage drains, wear an abdominal binder; expect fatigue.
- Weeks 3–4: Many return to desk work; continue scar care (silicone + SPF).
- Weeks 6–8: Gradual return to full activity as cleared.
- Months 3–6: Shape refinement as swelling fades; optional symmetry, nipple reconstruction, and 3D tattooing later.
Insurance Coverage in NH & ME: Your Rights
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), most plans that cover mastectomy must also cover:
- Breast reconstruction (including DIEP flap)
- Opposite-breast procedures for symmetry
- Revisions and treatment of complications
- Nipple reconstruction and 3D areola tattooing
This applies to immediate and delayed reconstruction and implant-to-DIEP conversions—even if you’re switching to avoid future implant exchanges or silicone leaks.
We routinely work with major carriers in New Hampshire and Maine; our team manages pre-verification, preauthorization, documentation, and appeals so you don’t have to.
The Tummy-Tuck Question (We Know You’re Wondering)
“Do I get a tummy tuck with DIEP?”
You’ll see a tummy-tuck–like benefit—a flatter, smoother lower abdomen—because the donor tissue is taken from your belly. The goal is reconstruction (not cosmetic abdominoplasty), but rectus diastasis is corrected and the contouring improvement is real and one of the most loved secondary benefits.
Switching from Implants: Common Scenarios We See
- Hard, painful implants (capsular contracture)
- Radiation-altered implants with persistent tightness or deformity
- Suspected rupture or confirmed silicone leak
- Recalled textured implants (desire to remove device)
- Elective switch to avoid lifelong exchanges and monitoring
In each case, DIEP offers a implant-free, permanent reconstruction with a natural feel.
Patient Testimonial — Southern Maine
“I drove from Portland to Portsmouth Regional Hospital to have DIEP with The DIEP Group. After radiation, my implants were tight and uncomfortable. Now my chest feels soft and warm—and my stomach is flatter. I’m so glad I didn’t have to go into Boston to get expert care.”
— A.H., Portland, ME
FAQs — Portsmouth & Southern Maine Patients Ask
Is DIEP covered by insurance if I already have implants?
Yes. Immediate and delayed DIEP—including elective implant-to-DIEP conversion—is generally covered.
Is DIEP better after radiation than implants?
Often yes. Autologous tissue tends to do better in radiated fields, with fewer long-term complications.
How long is the hospital stay?
Most patients spend 2 days at Portsmouth Regional Hospital for monitoring.
Will my DIEP breast feel warm and natural?
Yes. Because it’s your own tissue, it usually feels soft and warm, and moves naturally.
Does DIEP change with weight gain or loss?
Typically yes—it increases/decreases with your body, maintaining proportion over time.
Is DIEP the same as a tummy tuck?
Not exactly, but you’ll likely notice a flatter abdomen as a secondary benefit.
Do I have to travel to Boston for this?
No. Portsmouth Regional Hospital offers high-level DIEP reconstruction close to home for NH and Southern Maine.
Service Areas
New Hampshire: Portsmouth, Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Dover, Rochester, Keene, Derry, Salem, Hampton, Exeter
Southern Maine: Portland, York, Kennebunk, Biddeford, Kittery, Saco, Scarborough
Internal Links
- DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Portsmouth, NH — Complete Guide
- DIEP Flap Recovery in New Hampshire & Southern Maine — What to Expect at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
- Insurance Coverage for DIEP Flap in NH & Maine — Immediate or Delayed, Including Implant-to-DIEP
Ready to Explore DIEP with The DIEP Group?
If you want a natural, permanent reconstruction—or you’re ready to switch from implants—we’ll guide you through every step at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
The DIEP Group
203-200-0828
thediepgroup.com
Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth, NH
