Natural, Insurance-Covered Reconstruction by The DIEP Group at Baystate Medical Center
Regaining Balance and Confidence After Breast Cancer
For women in Westfield, Southwick, and Agawam, natural breast reconstruction after mastectomy is now available close to home. At Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, the skilled microsurgeons of The DIEP Group perform DIEP flap breast reconstruction, an advanced, natural technique that rebuilds the breast using your own tissue — not implants.
This innovative approach restores both your physical shape and emotional well-being, providing long-term comfort and confidence without the maintenance or risks associated with implants.
Fully covered by insurance, the DIEP flap is ideal for women seeking a permanent, natural solution that feels completely like their own body again.
Why Women from Westfield Choose the DIEP Flap
Many women in Hampden County and the Lower Pioneer Valley prefer the DIEP flap for its lasting, natural results. It is especially beneficial for women who live active lives, have had radiation, or previously experienced implant issues.
1: Natural Tissue, Natural Feel
The DIEP flap uses your own skin and fat from the lower abdomen to create a breast that looks, feels, and moves naturally. There are no implants, fillers, or synthetic materials — just your own healthy tissue.
2: Lifetime Results
Unlike implants that can rupture or require replacement, DIEP flap reconstruction is permanent. It ages naturally, maintains symmetry over time, and changes with your body.
3: Freedom from Implant Concerns
Women who have had complications such as tightness, pain, or capsular contracture after implants often find lasting relief with a DIEP flap reconstruction.
4: Improved Body Contour
Because tissue is taken from the lower abdomen, the DIEP flap also provides a flatter, more contoured belly — similar to the effects of a tummy tuck.
5: Covered by Insurance
All breast reconstruction procedures, including DIEP flaps and any revisions, are covered under federal law. The DIEP Group manages every step of insurance preauthorization and paperwork for you.
The DIEP Flap Procedure Explained
The Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap is an advanced form of microsurgical breast reconstruction that uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen to recreate the breast after mastectomy.
Unlike older procedures that sacrifice muscle, the DIEP flap preserves all abdominal muscle strength, minimizing recovery time and maintaining your natural core function.
Dual Benefit — Reconstruction and Toning
The transferred tissue not only rebuilds the breast but also enhances the contour of your abdomen. Patients often describe their results as both restorative and rejuvenating.
Ideal for Women with Previous Implant or Radiation Issues
Many women from Westfield and surrounding areas come to The DIEP Group after struggling with:
- Tightness or pain after radiation
- Hard or distorted implants
- Implant rupture or leakage
- Asymmetry or visible rippling
- Recalled or textured implants
The DIEP flap replaces those implants with your own tissue — a natural, soft, warm reconstruction that will never rupture, shift, or need replacement.
Your Reconstruction Journey
Step 1 – Personalized Consultation
The process begins with an in-depth consultation, either in person or virtually. The DIEP Group’s surgeons review your history, prior treatments, and reconstruction goals.
A CT angiogram maps your abdominal blood vessels to plan the procedure safely and precisely.
Step 2 – Surgery at Baystate Medical Center
All surgeries for Western Massachusetts patients take place at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield — just a short drive from Westfield.
The procedure takes about 6–8 hours under general anesthesia.
Hospital stay: 2 days, with walking encouraged the next morning.
Step 3 – Recovery
Because your abdominal muscles remain intact, you’ll recover faster and experience less pain than with older flap techniques. Most patients resume light activity within two weeks and full activity in six to eight weeks.
Step 4 – Refinement
Optional follow-up procedures such as fat grafting, nipple reconstruction, or scar improvement can further refine your results for perfect balance and symmetry.
Insurance Coverage for DIEP Flap Reconstruction
The DIEP flap is fully covered by insurance — both at the time of mastectomy and at any point afterward. Federal law under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) ensures coverage for all forms of breast reconstruction, including DIEP flaps, symmetry procedures, and revisions.
Our insurance team takes care of:
- Prior authorization and documentation
- Medical necessity letters
- Coordination with your insurance provider
- Appeals if necessary
Common Private Insurance Plans in Western Massachusetts
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Tufts Health Plan
- Aetna
- Cigna
- UnitedHealthcare
Who Is a Good Candidate for the DIEP Flap?
- You may be a candidate if you:
- Have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy
- Want a natural reconstruction instead of implants
- Have prior implant issues or radiation history
- Have enough lower abdominal tissue for transfer
- Want a permanent, natural result without maintenance
Even women who have had prior C-sections or abdominal surgeries can often still qualify for DIEP flap reconstruction after imaging confirms healthy blood vessels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I stay in the hospital?
Most patients stay two days at Baystate Medical Center and are encouraged to walk the next morning.
Can I replace my implants with a DIEP flap?
Yes. Many women switch from implants to a DIEP flap for a softer, more natural, and permanent result.
Is the DIEP flap covered by insurance?
Yes. All breast reconstruction after mastectomy, including DIEP flaps and revisions, is covered under federal law.
Will I lose abdominal strength?
No. Because your abdominal muscles are preserved, you maintain normal strength and flexibility.
Can I have DIEP flap surgery years after my mastectomy?
Yes. There’s no time limit — reconstruction can be performed at any stage and remains covered by insurance.
Patient Testimonial – Westfield, MA
“After radiation, my implant reconstruction became hard and painful. I didn’t want more surgeries every few years. The DIEP Group changed everything — my new breasts look and feel completely natural, and I feel confident again for the first time in years.”
— Linda M., Westfield, MA
Why The DIEP Group Is Western Massachusetts’ Leader in Natural Reconstruction
- Board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in DIEP flap microsurgery
- High surgical volume across New England – over 200 DIEP flaps performed yearly
- Surgeries performed locally at Baystate Medical Center
- Personalized care from consultation through recovery
- Expertise with complex and revision cases
- Lifelong, natural results that restore confidence
Women from across Western and Central Massachusetts — from Westfield to Worcester — trust The DIEP Group for their experience, outcomes, and compassionate care.
Serving Westfield and the Lower Pioneer Valley
The DIEP Group proudly serves women from Westfield, Southwick, Agawam, and surrounding Pioneer Valley communities, offering insurance-covered, natural breast reconstruction at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.
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 or near Westfield, MA, and are seeking natural, insurance-covered breast reconstruction, contact The DIEP Group today to schedule your consultation.
The DIEP Group
Surgeries performed at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
203-200-0828
