What is stacked DIEP flap?

During stacked DIEP flap surgery, an incision is made along your bikini line and the surgeon removes one long flap of skin, fat, and blood vessels from the lower half of your belly, or he removes one flap from each side. This tissue is moved up to your chest and formed into a breast shape.

Can a DIEP flap be removed?

(In a properly performed DIEP, no muscle is cut or removed; if you’re having DIEP flap, make sure this will be the case.) Your surgeon carefully reattaches the blood vessels of the flap to blood vessels in your chest using microsurgery.

Is DIEP Flap same as tummy tuck?

While we often say that a DIEP Flap procedure is like getting a tummy tuck, the focus of the surgery is natural breast reconstruction. Some patients may see results with the same toning and tightening as a tummy tuck, but others may not see drastic changes to their midsection.

How difficult is the recovery from DIEP Flap surgery?

Healing and recovery after DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be significantly easier than most patients think. With the implementation of ERAS Protocols, most patients experience little discomfort after surgery, require little if any narcotics, and can be discharged from the hospital after 3 days or less.

How long does it take for DIEP flap to heal?

For detailed information on how to care for the dressings, stitches, staples, and surgical drains, visit the Mastectomy: What to Expect page. It can take about 6 to 8 weeks to recover from DIEP flap reconstruction surgery. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a compression girdle for up to 8 weeks after surgery.

Is a DIEP flap best for me?

Thank you for your question. A DIEP flap is an excellent option for you, and will provide healthy tissue to reconstruct your breasts. Although the DIEP flap can be a lengthy surgery and recovery, in the long run, you’ll have natural breasts with good shape and projection.

What is removed during the DIEP flap?

During a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap procedure, the surgeon removes a section of abdominal skin and fat, along with the associated blood vessels. Using complex microsurgical techniques, the blood vessels are attached to the ones in your chest and the skin and fat are used to create a breast.

How long is the DIEP flap surgery?

The tiny blood vessels in the flap, which will feed the tissue of your new breast, are matched to blood vessels in your chest and carefully reattached under a microscope. DIEP flap reconstruction surgery takes about 6 to 8 hours .

What is DIEP flap reconstruction?

A Diep flap is a breast reconstruction technique used to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy surgery.