Natural, Insurance-Covered Reconstruction by The DIEP Group at Baystate Medical Center
Advanced, Natural Breast Reconstruction Close to Home
Women in Springfield, MA, and throughout Western Massachusetts now have access to world-class, natural breast reconstruction without the need to travel to Boston or New York. The microsurgical specialists at The DIEP Group perform advanced DIEP flap breast reconstruction at Baystate Medical Center, offering women an opportunity to restore comfort, softness, and confidence after mastectomy — fully covered by insurance.
Our team specializes exclusively in microsurgical breast reconstruction, helping patients from Springfield, Holyoke, Amherst, Pittsfield, Northampton, Westfield, and Greenfield achieve natural results that look and feel like their own body.
What Is the DIEP Flap?
The DIEP flap — short for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap — is the most advanced form of breast reconstruction available today. It uses your own skin and fat from the lower abdomen to recreate the breast following mastectomy.
Unlike older procedures like the TRAM flap, the DIEP flap preserves all abdominal muscles, which helps maintain core strength and speeds recovery. The transferred tissue is reconnected using microsurgery, ensuring it receives healthy blood flow and becomes a permanent part of your body.
The result is a soft, warm, natural breast that moves and feels like your own — without the risks, maintenance, or long-term problems associated with implants.
Why Women in Western Massachusetts Choose The DIEP Group
The DIEP Group brings specialized reconstructive microsurgery to Western Massachusetts, providing women with the same level of expertise found at the nation’s top academic centers — but with the convenience and personalized care of a local hospital.
1: Local Access, World-Class Care
Our surgeons perform DIEP flap surgeries at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, eliminating the need to travel to Boston for advanced reconstruction.
2: Board-Certified Microsurgeons
Each surgery is performed by experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize exclusively in microsurgical breast reconstruction.
3: Personalized, Compassionate Care
We coordinate every step of your care — from insurance approval and preoperative imaging to your recovery and long-term follow-up — ensuring you feel supported throughout the process.
4: Collaboration with Baystate Medical Center
We partner with local oncology and breast surgery teams to streamline care, improve outcomes, and make the process as convenient as possible.
enefits of DIEP Flap Reconstruction
The DIEP flap offers a range of functional and aesthetic benefits that set it apart from traditional implant-based reconstruction:
- Natural Look and Feel – Your breast is reconstructed with your own living tissue for warmth, softness, and a natural drape.
- Permanent, Lifelong Result – Unlike implants, DIEP flaps never need to be replaced or exchanged.
- Comfort After Radiation – Healthy tissue from the abdomen softens tight, irradiated skin and improves symmetry.
- Improved Abdominal Contour – The donor site leaves a flatter, more contoured lower abdomen, similar to a tummy tuck.
- Better Aging Over Time – Natural tissue changes with your body weight and maintains a proportional shape as you age.
- Fully Covered by Insurance – All reconstruction and revision procedures are covered by law.
When to Consider DIEP Flap Reconstruction
- You may be a candidate for DIEP flap reconstruction if you:
- Have had or are planning a mastectomy
- Have failed implant reconstruction or capsular contracture
- Experienced complications from radiation therapy
- Have recalled textured implants or chronic implant pain
- Want to avoid implants entirely or replace them with your own tissue
Importantly, you don’t need to be experiencing problems to qualify — insurance covers DIEP flap reconstruction at any time, even years after mastectomy.
Your DIEP Flap Journey
Step 1 – Personalized Consultation
Your journey begins with a detailed consultation — either in person or virtually — where we review your medical history, prior surgeries, and goals. A CT angiogram is performed to map the blood vessels in your abdomen and plan the procedure with precision.
Step 2 – Surgery at Baystate Medical Center
Your surgery takes place at Baystate Medical Center, where our microsurgeons carefully transfer skin and fat from your lower abdomen to recreate your breast. Using a high-powered microscope, the tissue’s tiny blood vessels are reconnected to ensure healthy, permanent results.
Typical hospital stay: 2 days. Most patients walk the morning after surgery.
Step 3 – Recovery
You’ll be up and walking within 24 hours and can return home comfortably after two days. Most women resume light activities in two weeks and full activity by six to eight weeks.
Step 4 – Refinement and Symmetry
At a later date, minor refinements — such as fat grafting, nipple reconstruction, or scar revision — may be performed to enhance final results.
Insurance Coverage for DIEP Flap Reconstruction in Massachusetts
Many women in Western Massachusetts wonder if DIEP flap surgery is covered by insurance. The answer is yes — by federal law.
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), all insurance plans that cover mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction, including DIEP flaps, symmetry procedures, and future revisions.
Our administrative team manages every step:
- Submitting preauthorization and clinical documentation
- Writing medical necessity letters
- Managing insurance appeals if required
Common Private Insurance Plans in Western Massachusetts
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Tufts Health Plan
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DIEP flap surgery covered by insurance in Massachusetts?
Yes. Federal law mandates coverage for all stages of breast reconstruction following mastectomy, including DIEP flap surgery and revisions.
Can I have a DIEP flap if I already had implants or radiation?
Absolutely. Many women choose to convert from implants to natural tissue reconstruction after radiation, capsular contracture, or implant recalls.
How long will I stay at Baystate Medical Center?
Most patients stay two days in the hospital and begin walking the next morning.
Can I get DIEP reconstruction years after my mastectomy?
Yes — reconstruction is covered at any time, even decades later.
Will I lose abdominal strength?
No. The DIEP flap spares your abdominal muscles, so you’ll maintain normal strength and flexibility.
Patient Testimonial – Springfield, MA
“After my mastectomy, I was hesitant about reconstruction because I didn’t want implants. The DIEP Group gave me an option I didn’t know existed — using my own tissue. I had my surgery at Baystate, and the results are incredible. My breast feels soft, natural, and part of me again.”
— Jennifer L., Springfield, MA
Why Choose The DIEP Group
- Board-certified plastic surgeons specializing exclusively in microsurgical reconstruction
- High surgical volume across New England – over 200 DIEP flaps performed yearly
- Surgeries performed locally at Baystate Medical Center
- Personalized care and exceptional success rates
- Seamless insurance coordination
- Compassionate, long-term support and follow-up care
Serving All of Western and Central Massachusetts
The DIEP Group proudly serves women from Springfield, Northampton, Amherst, Holyoke, Chicopee, Pittsfield, Westfield, Greenfield, Worcester, and surrounding towns, providing natural, insurance-covered breast reconstruction close to home at Baystate Medical Center.
To explore other areas nearby, visit our local guides:
- Springfield, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Chicopee, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Westfield, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Holyoke, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Amherst, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Northampton, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Pittsfield, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Greenfield, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
- Leominster, MA – DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Schedule Your Consultation
If you live in Springfield or anywhere in Western Massachusetts and are considering natural, implant-free breast reconstruction, contact The DIEP Group to schedule a consultation today.
The DIEP Group
Surgeries performed at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
203-200-0828
