Introduction: When Implants Don’t Provide the Results You Hoped For
Breast implants are the most common form of reconstruction after mastectomy. While they can restore breast shape, many women in Albany and the surrounding Capital Region discover that implants come with significant drawbacks over time.
Problems such as hardness, pain, asymmetry, rippling, and poor results after radiation are common. Some women are concerned about the safety of recalled textured implants. Others simply don’t want the burden of implant replacement surgeries every 10 years.
For these women, the DIEP flap procedure offers a safe, natural, and permanent solution. At The DIEP Group, our surgeons specialize in this advanced technique, performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY.
Visit our Before and After DIEP Flap Gallery
Common Implant Problems After Breast Cancer Treatment
1. Capsular Contracture
- The most frequent complication of implant reconstruction
- The body forms a hard capsule around the implant
- Can cause pain, tightness, and visible distortion
2. Poor Results After Radiation
- Radiation damages skin and underlying tissue
- Implants placed under radiated skin often become firm, asymmetric, or uncomfortable
- DIEP flaps improve results by bringing in healthy, vascularized tissue
3. Implant Rupture or Leakage
- All implants eventually fail
- Silicone gel leaks or saline deflation require replacement surgery
- Many Albany patients search “implant rupture replacement Albany NY”
4. Recalled Allergan Textured Implants
- Textured implants were recalled due to risk of BIA-ALCL (a rare cancer of the capsule)
- Many women choose to remove recalled implants and switch to DIEP flaps
5. Rippling or Asymmetry
- Visible implant edges or wrinkling, especially in thin women
- DIEP flap avoids these issues since no implant is used
Why DIEP Flap Is the Solution for Implant Problems
- Uses your own tissue — soft, warm, natural
- Permanent — no risk of rupture, leakage, or recall
- Improves comfort — no muscle spasm, no capsular contracture
- Better long-term results after radiation
- Symmetry can be improved with fat grafting at the second stage
- Abdominal contouring benefit similar to a tummy tuck
Many Albany patients search “switching implants to DIEP flap Albany NY” — and the answer is yes, it’s possible at any time.
Insurance Coverage: Always Included
Whether you:
- Had implant reconstruction years ago
- Developed capsular contracture or rippling
- Have recalled Allergan textured implants
- Or simply want a permanent solution without devices
Insurance always covers switching from implants to DIEP flap reconstruction.
This is protected by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), which requires insurance plans to cover:
- Removal of implants
- DIEP flap reconstruction
- Opposite breast symmetry procedures
Our team at The DIEP Group assists with all preauthorizations, documentation, and appeals.
What Albany Patients Can Expect at St. Peter’s Hospital
- Outpatient consults and surgical planning with The DIEP Group
- Surgery performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY
- 2 day hospital stay for DIEP flap monitoring
- 6–8 weeks recovery to return to full activity
- Permanent results with natural softness and appearance
Common Questions from Albany Patients
Can I switch to DIEP flap if I already had implants?
Yes. Conversion from implants to DIEP flap is very common and always covered by insurance.
Do I need to have implant problems to qualify for DIEP flap?
No. You can choose to switch at any time, even if implants are functioning normally.
What if I had radiation?
DIEP flaps are especially beneficial after radiation, since they bring in healthy tissue.
Will my stomach look better after DIEP flap?
Yes — the donor site is closed like a tummy tuck, leaving a flatter abdomen.
How long do results last?
Permanent. DIEP flaps age naturally with your body and do not require replacement.
Is surgery painful?
Recovery involves some soreness, but most patients find it easier than repeated implant exchanges.
Patient Testimonial
From Schenectady, NY:
“I had implants after my mastectomy, but radiation made them hard and painful. Dr. Jandali and The DIEP Group team performed my DIEP flap at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. Now my breasts feel natural, and I’ll never worry about implants again. Insurance covered everything.” — M.S., Schenectady, NY
Serving Albany and Surrounding Cities
We proudly provide DIEP flap reconstruction for women in:
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, Amsterdam, Glens Falls, Queensbury, Cohoes, Rotterdam, and Guilderland.
Patients also travel from Western Massachusetts, Vermont, and the greater Capital Region to St. Peter’s Hospital for DIEP flap reconstruction.
Why Choose The DIEP Group in Albany
- Expert DIEP flap surgeons specializing in natural breast reconstruction
- Surgeries performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY
- Insurance-covered — including implant removal, DIEP flap, and revisions
- Among the few groups in the Northeast focused exclusively on DIEP flap reconstruction
- Patients travel from across Upstate New York and New England for our expertise
Internal Links
- DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Albany, NY — Complete Guide
- DIEP Flaps for Breast Implant Problems in Albany, NY — Benefits of DIEP Flaps for Implant Problems after Mastectomy
- Recovery: Recovery and Results after DIEP Flap Reconstruction in Albany, NY
Call to Action
If you live in Albany or the surrounding Capital Region and have problems with implants — or simply want a permanent, natural alternative — DIEP flap reconstruction is the solution.
The DIEP Group
203-200-0828
