Natural, Insurance-Covered Breast Reconstruction at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
World-Class Natural Breast Reconstruction for Coastal Maine
For women in Biddeford, Saco, York, Kittery, and the southern Maine coast, advanced, natural breast reconstruction is now available close to home. The microsurgical specialists at The DIEP Group perform DIEP flap breast reconstruction at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, just across the New Hampshire border.
Patients from southern Maine no longer need to travel to Boston for this specialized surgery. The DIEP Group offers the same level of expertise and advanced microsurgical care with a personalized, patient-focused approach — and it’s all covered by insurance.
What Is the DIEP Flap?
The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap) is an advanced microsurgical procedure that uses your own skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy. Unlike older methods, the abdominal muscles remain intact — helping you recover faster and preserve core strength.
During the procedure, our surgeons use microsurgery to connect tiny blood vessels, keeping the transferred tissue alive and creating a natural, soft, and permanent breast reconstruction that feels like your own body.
Benefits of the DIEP Flap:
- Fully natural look and feel
- Warm, soft, and lifelike — not firm or cold like implants
- Long-lasting, permanent results
- No risk of rupture, leakage, or implant replacement
- Compatible with prior radiation or implant problems
- Improved abdominal contour, similar to a mini tummy tuck
Why Southern Maine Women Choose The DIEP Group
Patients across York County and coastal Maine choose The DIEP Group for our unmatched expertise and our focus on natural, insurance-covered reconstruction.
1️⃣ Natural and Lifelong Results
Using your own tissue creates natural softness and warmth — no synthetic implants required.
2️⃣ A Solution for Implant Problems
If you’ve had radiation, capsular contracture, or recalled textured implants, DIEP flaps provide a lasting, comfortable alternative.
3️⃣ Leading Microsurgical Expertise
Our board-certified surgeons perform DIEP flaps at high volume — restoring confidence for women throughout Maine and New England.
4️⃣ Enhanced Abdominal Contour
The tissue used from your lower abdomen creates gentle contouring benefits, giving the appearance of a flatter, smoother belly.
5️⃣ Insurance-Covered
All breast reconstruction and revision procedures are covered under federal law.
Insurance Coverage for DIEP Flap Reconstruction in Maine
Many patients from southern Maine ask whether advanced reconstruction like the DIEP flap is covered by insurance. The answer is yes.
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) requires all group health plans that cover mastectomy to also cover breast reconstruction, including DIEP flaps, revisions, and symmetry adjustments.
Our experienced insurance coordinators handle everything:
- Preauthorization and documentation
- Medical necessity letters
- Appeals and follow-up communication
Common Private Insurance Plans in Southern Maine
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Tufts Health Plan
(We do not participate with Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, or MaineCare.)
The DIEP Flap Procedure
Step 1 – Consultation
We begin with a detailed consultation to review your medical history, previous surgeries, and goals. A CT angiogram identifies the best abdominal vessels for reconstruction.
Step 2 – Surgery at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Your surgery is performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, conveniently located within an hour of most southern Maine towns. Our microsurgeons precisely transfer tissue from the abdomen to the chest, reconnecting it under a microscope for natural results.
Hospital stay: typically 2 days. Most patients begin walking the next morning.
Step 3 – Recovery
You’ll return home comfortably after two days. Most women resume light activity within two weeks and regular activity by six to eight weeks.
Step 4 – Refinement
Additional refinements, such as fat grafting, nipple reconstruction, or scar revision, can be done later for improved symmetry and contour.
Who Is a Candidate for DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
You may be an excellent candidate if you:
✅ Have had or are planning a mastectomy
✅ Have experienced implant complications or radiation damage
✅ Want a permanent, natural result without implants
✅ Have enough lower abdominal tissue for transfer
✅ Want reconstruction that moves and feels like your own body
Even women with prior C-sections or abdominal surgeries may still qualify after imaging confirms healthy blood vessels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have DIEP reconstruction years after my mastectomy?
Yes. Reconstruction is covered at any time, even years or decades later.
Can I replace my implants with DIEP flaps?
Absolutely. Many women in southern Maine choose DIEP flaps to avoid the long-term risks of implants.
How far is Portsmouth Regional Hospital from York or Kittery?
Only about 20–30 minutes — much closer than Boston or Portland.
How long will I be in the hospital?
Most women stay for 2 days and walk the morning after surgery.
Does DIEP reconstruction affect core strength?
No. The abdominal muscles are fully preserved.
Patient Testimonial – York, ME
“After radiation, my implants became hard and uncomfortable. I learned about The DIEP Group from another patient and decided to make the short trip to Portsmouth. My new reconstruction feels completely natural — soft, warm, and part of me. The whole process was covered by insurance.”
— Stephanie D., York, ME
Why Choose The DIEP Group
- Board-certified microsurgeons specializing exclusively in DIEP flaps
- High surgical volume across multiple New England hospitals – over 200 DIEP flaps performed yearly
- Surgeries performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
- Proven experience with high success rates
- Personalized patient care and insurance support
- Lifelong, natural results that improve comfort and confidence
Serving Southern Maine and the Seacoast Region
The DIEP Group proudly serves women from Biddeford, Saco, York, Kittery, Wells, Ogunquit, and surrounding areas, providing natural, insurance-covered breast reconstruction at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Visit our detailed local guides to learn about DIEP flap surgery in your area:
- Portsmouth, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Manchester, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Nashua, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Concord, 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
- Rochester, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Schedule Your Consultation
If you live in or near Biddeford, Saco, York, or Kittery, Maine, and want to learn more about natural, insurance-covered breast reconstruction, contact The DIEP Group today.
The DIEP Group
Surgeries performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
203-200-0828
