Natural, Insurance-Covered Breast Reconstruction at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
Bringing Natural Breast Reconstruction to Southern New Hampshire
Women in Nashua, Hudson, Merrimack, Amherst, and southern New Hampshire now have access to world-class, natural breast reconstruction without traveling to Boston.
At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, the microsurgical experts of The DIEP Group perform advanced DIEP flap breast reconstruction, restoring soft, natural results after mastectomy — all covered by insurance.
If you’ve experienced pain, tightness, or implant issues after reconstruction, or if you’re exploring natural options after mastectomy, our surgeons provide safe, compassionate care using your own tissue for long-term, implant-free results.
What Is the DIEP Flap Procedure?
The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap) uses your own skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast. The tissue remains alive, connected to new blood vessels through microsurgery, and the abdominal muscles are completely preserved.
Unlike implants, the DIEP flap creates a breast that looks, feels, and moves naturally.
Advantages of the DIEP Flap
- Feels warm, soft, and natural — like your own body
- No implants to leak, harden, or replace
- Lasts for life — no maintenance or future surgeries
- Compatible with prior radiation therapy
- Contours and flattens the abdomen (similar to a tummy tuck)
Why Nashua Women Choose The DIEP Group
Women from Nashua and the surrounding Merrimack Valley turn to The DIEP Group for their expertise, results, and compassionate approach.
1️⃣ Natural and Permanent Reconstruction
The DIEP flap uses your own tissue for a lifelong, implant-free result.
2️⃣ Relief from Implant Problems
Hard, painful, or rippled implants — especially after radiation — can be replaced with natural, living tissue for comfort and softness.
3️⃣ Better Body Balance
The procedure removes unwanted lower abdominal fat, resulting in a smoother contour and enhanced body proportion.
4️⃣ Microsurgical Precision
Our board-certified plastic surgeons specialize exclusively in advanced flap reconstruction — not general cosmetic surgery.
5️⃣ Fully Covered by Insurance
Breast reconstruction, symmetry, and revision procedures are covered under federal law.
Insurance Coverage for DIEP Flap Reconstruction in New Hampshire
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), all health insurance plans that cover mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction — including DIEP flap surgery, revisions, and symmetry operations.
We handle the insurance process from start to finish, including:
- Collecting required documentation and imaging
- Preparing medical necessity letters
- Submitting for prior authorization
- Handling appeals if needed
Common Private Insurance Carriers in Southern New Hampshire
- 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 Journey
Step 1 – Personalized Consultation
We start with a consultation — in person or via telehealth — to discuss your history and goals. A CT angiogram is used to map your abdominal blood vessels.
Step 2 – Surgery
The procedure is performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, located just under an hour from Nashua. The living tissue is microsurgically transferred from the abdomen to the chest to recreate the breast.
Hospital stay: 2 days. Most patients begin walking the morning after surgery.
Step 3 – Healing and Recovery
After discharge, light activity can resume within two weeks, with full recovery around six to eight weeks. You’ll receive full scar care and recovery instructions.
Step 4 – Fine-Tuning
Optional fat grafting, nipple reconstruction, or symmetry adjustments can be done in a brief outpatient procedure for ideal balance and refinement.
Who’s a Candidate for DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
You may be a candidate if you:
✅ Are planning or have had a mastectomy
✅ Have prior implants that are hard, painful, or recalled
✅ Have undergone radiation
✅ Have adequate lower abdominal tissue
✅ Want a permanent, natural alternative to implants
Even patients who’ve had prior C-sections or abdominal procedures can often still qualify after imaging confirms vessel quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from implants to a DIEP flap?
Yes. Many women with implant problems, including capsular contracture or recalled textured implants, choose to switch to natural reconstruction.
Do I have to live near Portsmouth for surgery?
No. Many of our patients live in Nashua, Manchester, or northern Massachusetts. Pre-op consultations and follow-ups can often be done virtually.
How long is the hospital stay?
Two days on average. You’ll walk the day after surgery and return home comfortably.
Is this covered if my mastectomy was years ago?
Yes — reconstruction is covered by insurance at any time, even decades later.
Can I have both breasts reconstructed with DIEP flaps?
Yes. Bilateral reconstruction is common and covered under insurance law.
Patient Testimonial – Nashua, NH
“I had implants after my mastectomy years ago, but they became tight and painful after radiation. The DIEP Group helped me switch to natural reconstruction, and I couldn’t be happier. My results look and feel completely natural, and I feel confident again.”
— Sandra P., Nashua, NH
Why Choose The DIEP Group
- Board-certified microsurgeons specializing in DIEP flap reconstruction
- High surgical volume across multiple New England hospitals – over 200 DIEP flaps performed yearly
- Surgeries performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
- High success rate and personalized care
- Insurance navigation and advocacy for every patient
- Natural, long-lasting results without implants
Serving Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts
We proudly serve women from Nashua, Hudson, Merrimack, Amherst, Bedford, and northern Massachusetts towns like Tyngsborough and Lowell, offering advanced, natural breast reconstruction close to home.
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
- 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
- Biddeford, Saco, York & Kittery, ME – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Rochester, NH – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’re in the Nashua or Merrimack Valley area and considering natural, insurance-covered breast reconstruction, contact The DIEP Group today.
The DIEP Group
Surgeries performed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital
203-200-0828
