Natural, Insurance-Covered Breast Reconstruction at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Restoring Confidence with Natural, Long-Lasting Results
For women in Concord, Bow, Pembroke, and surrounding central New Hampshire communities, The DIEP Group provides access to state-of-the-art, natural DIEP flap breast reconstruction — performed by highly skilled microsurgeons at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Whether you’ve just undergone mastectomy, have prior implants that feel hard or uncomfortable, or are looking to replace recalled silicone implants, DIEP flap reconstruction offers a natural, permanent, and insurance-covered solution.
Understanding the DIEP Flap Procedure
The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap) uses your own living tissue from the lower abdomen to rebuild the breast after mastectomy. This procedure transfers skin and fat, not muscle, making recovery faster and minimizing weakness.
Microsurgery reconnects the tiny blood vessels under a microscope, allowing the transplanted tissue to thrive as part of your body.
Benefits of DIEP Flap Reconstruction
- Natural look and feel: Soft, warm, and fully part of your body
- No implants: Avoids risks of rupture, capsular contracture, or replacement
- Permanent result: The tissue remains for life and ages with you
- Better contour: Abdominal area heals flatter and smoother
- Compatible with radiation: Healthy tissue restores elasticity and comfort
This technique is considered the gold standard for natural, autologous breast reconstruction.
Why Concord Women Choose The DIEP Group
Women across central New Hampshire choose The DIEP Group because they want lasting, natural results — performed by specialists who focus exclusively on microsurgical breast reconstruction.
1️⃣ Expertise You Can Trust
Our board-certified microsurgeons specialize in advanced breast reconstruction, performing these surgeries routinely with excellent outcomes.
2️⃣ Natural, Living Tissue Reconstruction
No foreign implants — just your own skin and fat, sculpted to create a soft, natural breast.
3️⃣ Relief from Implant Issues
Women with pain, tightness, or recalled implants after reconstruction can achieve permanent comfort with DIEP tissue reconstruction.
4️⃣ Combined Benefit
You not only regain your breast’s natural contour but also experience subtle abdominal flattening — similar to a mini tummy tuck.
5️⃣ Covered by Insurance
All breast reconstruction procedures — including DIEP flap reconstruction and symmetry adjustments — are covered under federal insurance law.
Insurance Coverage for DIEP Flap Reconstruction in New Hampshire
Many women in Concord and Merrimack County ask whether DIEP flap reconstruction is covered by insurance. The answer is yes — it’s federally mandated.
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), any health plan that covers mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction, including DIEP flap surgery and revisions.
Our experienced administrative team helps simplify the process:
- Gathering photo and clinical documentation
- Submitting medical necessity letters
- Coordinating preauthorization
- Appealing denials if necessary
Common Private Insurance Plans in the Concord Area
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Tufts Health Plan
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
(We do not participate with Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, or MaineCare.)
Your DIEP Flap Surgery Process
Step 1 – Consultation and Planning
Meet virtually or in person with one of our surgeons to discuss your goals and review your medical history. A CT angiogram of your abdomen helps identify the best blood vessels for surgery.
Step 2 – Surgery at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The abdominal tissue is transplanted to the chest, with blood vessels connected microscopically for a living, natural reconstruction.
Hospital stay: approximately 2 days. You’ll start walking the next morning.
Step 3 – Recovery and Return to Daily Life
Most patients return home comfortably after two days and resume light activity in 1–2 weeks. Full recovery typically occurs within 6–8 weeks.
Step 4 – Refinement and Symmetry
Additional fat grafting or nipple reconstruction can be done later to refine shape and symmetry.
Who’s an Ideal Candidate for DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
You may qualify for DIEP flap surgery if you:
✅ Have had or are planning a mastectomy
✅ Want a permanent, implant-free reconstruction
✅ Have prior implant problems or radiation damage
✅ Have adequate abdominal tissue for transfer
✅ Want to avoid future implant replacements
Even if you’ve had a prior C-section or abdominal surgery, you may still be a candidate after vessel imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DIEP flap covered by insurance if my mastectomy was years ago?
Yes. Reconstruction is covered at any time after mastectomy, regardless of when it occurred.
Can this help if I had radiation?
Yes. DIEP flaps bring in new, healthy tissue that improves elasticity and reduces pain.
Will I lose abdominal strength?
No. The procedure preserves your abdominal muscles completely.
What if I’ve had implant reconstruction before?
You can safely convert from implants to DIEP flaps — it’s often the best solution for comfort and longevity.
How far is Portsmouth Regional Hospital from Concord?
Approximately 45 minutes by car — allowing central New Hampshire patients convenient access to specialized microsurgical care.
Patient Testimonial – Concord, NH
“After years with implants, I wanted something more natural. The DIEP Group gave me the perfect solution. My reconstruction feels soft, real, and completely part of me. I’m so glad I made the change.”
— Erica D., Concord, NH
Why Choose The DIEP Group
- Board-certified microsurgeons specializing in natural breast reconstruction
- High surgical volume across multiple New England hospitals – over 200 DIEP flaps performed yearly
- Surgeries performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
- Decades of combined experience and high success rates
- Dedicated insurance navigation for every patient
- Lifelong, natural, implant-free results
Serving Central and Southern New Hampshire
We proudly serve patients from Concord, Bow, Pembroke, Hooksett, Manchester, and nearby communities, offering advanced breast reconstruction close to home at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Visit our detailed local guides to learn about DIEP flap surgery in surrounding areas:
- Portsmouth, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Manchester, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Nashua, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Rochester, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Dover, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Keene, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Derry & Salem, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Portland, ME – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Biddeford, Saco, York & Kittery, ME – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Schedule Your Consultation
If you live in or near Concord, NH, and want a natural, insurance-covered breast reconstruction, contact The DIEP Group to schedule your consultation.
The DIEP Group
Surgeries performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
203-200-0828
