Insurance-Covered, Natural Reconstruction by The DIEP Group — Performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany
Reconstruction Close to Home — Advanced Care in the Capital Region
For women in Colonie and the Greater Albany area, breast reconstruction after mastectomy doesn’t have to mean traveling to New York City or Boston. At The DIEP Group, our board-certified microsurgeons perform insurance-covered DIEP flap breast reconstruction right here at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, giving patients access to nationally recognized expertise with the comfort of local care.
The DIEP flap procedure rebuilds the breast using your own abdominal skin and fat, creating a soft, warm, natural breast that lasts for life — no implants, no maintenance, and no foreign materials.
As one of the only surgical teams performing DIEP flap reconstruction throughout Upstate New York, The DIEP Group offers compassionate, high-volume, university-level care in your own community.
What Makes the DIEP Flap Different
The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap) is the most advanced method of autologous (natural-tissue) breast reconstruction. It transfers living skin and fat from the lower abdomen to rebuild the breast while preserving your abdominal muscles.
Unlike older procedures that sacrifice muscle, the DIEP flap allows patients to maintain strength and recover faster.
Benefits for Colonie-Area Patients
- Completely Natural Results – Uses your own tissue for a lifelike look and feel.
- No Implants or Maintenance – Permanent results with no need for replacement.
- Improved Abdominal Contour – The donor site resembles a gentle tummy tuck.
- Safe After Radiation – Replaces scarred tissue with healthy vascularized skin.
- Covered by Insurance – Federal law mandates coverage for reconstruction after mastectomy.
Why Women in Colonie Choose The DIEP Group
Many patients come to The DIEP Group after experiencing problems with traditional implant reconstruction or simply wanting a permanent, natural result.
You may be a candidate if you:
- Had a mastectomy or double mastectomy (recent or years ago)
- Have painful, hard, or tight implants (capsular contracture)
- Received radiation therapy and want to restore softness and comfort
- Have recalled textured implants (such as Allergan Biocell)
- Wish to avoid future implant exchanges or revisions
Even if your previous reconstruction was decades ago, DIEP flap reconstruction is covered by insurance at any time — immediate or delayed.
Your DIEP Flap Journey
Step 1 – Consultation
Your care begins with a comprehensive consultation, either in person or via telehealth. We review your medical history and order a CT angiogram to map abdominal blood vessels for safe surgery planning.
Step 2 – Surgery at St. Peter’s Hospital
All procedures for Colonie patients take place at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, a regional leader in microsurgery.
- Procedure time: ≈ 6–8 hours
- Hospital stay: 2 days with walking encouraged the next morning
Step 3 – Recovery
Because the muscles are preserved, pain is minimal and recovery is faster.
- Light activity in ≈ 2 weeks
- Back to work in ≈ 3–4 weeks (sedentary jobs)
- Full activity in 6–8 weeks
Step 4 – Refinement
Follow-up treatments — such as fat grafting, nipple reconstruction, or scar improvement — can fine-tune symmetry and aesthetic balance.
Insurance Coverage
DIEP flap reconstruction is fully covered by insurance under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA). Our insurance team handles all documentation and preauthorization.
Common Plans in the Capital Region
- BlueCross BlueShield of NENY
- CDPHP
- MVP Health Care
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Empire BlueCross BlueShield
(We do not participate with Medicaid, Medicare, Fidelis, or Tricare plans.)
Why Choose The DIEP Group
Experience & Expertise
- Over 200 DIEP flap procedures performed each year
- Board-certified, fellowship-trained microsurgeons
- Experts in complex revision and post-radiation reconstruction
Authoritativeness
- Surgeries performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany
- Among the only teams offering DIEP flap reconstruction in Upstate NY
- Preferred by oncologists and breast surgeons across the region
Trust & Compassion
- Hundreds of 5-star patient reviews
- Full insurance support and communication
- Personalized care from consultation to final results
“The DIEP Group gave me a natural result and true confidence again. I never imagined something this advanced was available right here in Colonie.” — Elaine R., Colonie, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIEP flap reconstruction covered by insurance?
Yes — federal law requires coverage for all stages of breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
Can I have DIEP flap surgery after implants or radiation?
Yes. The DIEP flap restores damaged or scarred areas with healthy living tissue.
Do I need to travel far?
No. All surgeries are performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, just minutes from Colonie.
How long will I stay in the hospital?
Most patients stay two days and begin walking the day after surgery.
Will my abdomen look better afterward?
Yes — you’ll notice a flatter, smoother abdominal contour similar to a mini tummy tuck.
Serving Colonie and the Capital District
The DIEP Group serves women from Colonie, Latham, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and beyond, offering insurance-covered natural-tissue reconstruction close to home at St. Peter’s Hospital.
- Albany, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Schenectady, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Troy, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Clifton Park, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Saratoga Springs, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Amsterdam, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Utica, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Poughkeepsie, NY – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Schedule Your Consultation
If you live in Colonie or the Capital Region and want to learn about natural, insurance-covered reconstruction after mastectomy, schedule your consultation today.
🏥 The DIEP Group
Surgeries performed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany
📞 203-200-0828
