DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Mumbai
DIEP Flap Reconstruction
A Breast Reconstructed From Your Own Body
For many women who have undergone or are facing a mastectomy, the DIEP flap is considered the gold standard for breast reconstruction. Unlike implants, which use a foreign material, and unlike older flap techniques that sacrificed abdominal muscle, the DIEP flap uses only the skin and fat from your lower abdomen leaving the muscle intact and giving you a reconstructed breast that looks, feels, and ages exactly like the rest of your body.
Dr. Rachana Tataria offers DIEP flap breast reconstruction in Mumbai at Fortis Hospital, Mulund. She trained in this highly specialised microsurgical technique at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS, one of the United Kingdom’s premier centres for breast microvascular reconstruction — and at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Her published research on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in autologous breast reconstruction (JPRAS, 2025) reflects an ongoing commitment to refining how this surgery is performed and how patients recover from it.
What Is a DIEP Flap?
DIEP stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator. The DIEP flap procedure removes skin and fat from the lower abdomen the same area as a tummy tuck along with the tiny perforating blood vessels that supply this tissue. The tissue is then transferred to the chest, shaped into a breast mound, and reconnected to blood vessels in the chest wall using microsurgery, where vessels less than 2 millimetres in diameter are sutured under high magnification. Because no muscle is removed, abdominal strength is preserved and the risk of hernia is significantly lower than older techniques like TRAM flap reconstruction.
Why DIEP Flap Is Considered the Gold Standard
Uses your own living tissue
Feels natural to the touch, warms with your body, and ages naturally with you.
Muscle-sparing
Abdominal muscle is preserved, protecting core strength and reducing hernia risk.
Lifelong result
There are no implants to replace, no shape change from capsular contracture, no shell rupture concerns.
Tummy tuck benefit
Many patients enjoy a flatter, tighter lower abdomen as part of the donor-site contour.
Better tolerance to radiotherapy
Natural tissue copes better with prior or future radiation compared to implants.
Symmetric ageing
The reconstructed breast changes with weight gain, weight loss, and ageing in the same way as a natural breast.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for DIEP Flap Surgery?
DIEP flap reconstruction is a complex, lengthy procedure and requires careful patient selection. You may be a good candidate if you:
Have completed or are planning a mastectomy for breast cancer, or are considering risk-reducing mastectomy for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation.
Have sufficient lower abdominal tissue to reconstruct one or both breasts (those who could comfortably 'pinch an inch' at the belly are usually suitable).
Are in good general health, with no uncontrolled diabetes, cardiac disease, or coagulation disorders.
Are a non-smoker, or willing to stop smoking at least 6 weeks before surgery (smoking dramatically increases the risk of flap loss).
Have not had previous abdominal surgery that would have damaged the DIEP perforating blood vessels (e.g. large abdominoplasty).
Have realistic expectations about scars, the multi-hour surgery, and the staged nature of complete reconstruction.
The DIEP Flap Procedure
DIEP flap reconstruction is one of the most complex operations in plastic surgery and typically takes 6 to 10 hours. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia by a microsurgical team.
CT angiography of the abdomen is performed to map the perforating blood vessels, enabling precise surgical planning.
An incision is made low across the lower abdomen (similar to a tummy tuck incision). Skin and fat are carefully raised while preserving and isolating the deep inferior epigastric perforator vessels.
The flap is transferred to the chest, where its artery and vein are sutured to recipient vessels (typically the internal mammary artery and vein) under the operating microscope.
The flap is contoured into a breast mound to match the opposite side.
The lower abdomen is closed in layers with a tightening of the abdominal skin, similar to a tummy tuck.
Surgical drains are placed in both the breast and abdomen and remain for 1–2 weeks.
Why Choose Dr. Rachana Tataria for DIEP Flap in Mumbai
01
Fellowship trained at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading centres for breast microvascular reconstruction.
02
FRCS (Plastic Surgery), Royal College of Surgeons, England international qualification rarely held by Mumbai-based plastic surgeons.
03
Multilingual consultation: English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kutchi, Kannada, and French.
04
Surgery performed at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, JCI-accredited facility with dedicated ICU monitoring for flap observation in the critical first 72 hours.
05
Female plastic surgeon, many patients find this brings additional comfort during a deeply personal surgical journey.
06
Additional microsurgery fellowship at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
The Recovery Journey
Hospital Stay and Early Healing
Most patients remain in the hospital for 5–7 days during the initial recovery phase after surgery.
Drain Care and Light Movement
Drains are usually removed within 1–2 weeks, while light walking begins within the first 48 hours.
Return to Routine Activities
Desk work is generally resumed by weeks 3–4, with heavier activities restricted for several weeks.
Long-Term Healing
Breast shape, softness, and scars continue to improve gradually over the following months after surgery.
FAQs : DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Mumbai
DIEP flap surgery typically takes 6–10 hours for one breast and 10–14 hours for both breasts. The length reflects the precision of microvascular surgery, where blood vessels under 2 mm are sutured under a microscope.
Yes, in most cases. The lower abdominal skin and fat used for the flap are removed in the same pattern as a tummy tuck, leaving a flatter, tighter lower abdomen. This is often described as an unexpected bonus of the procedure.
Yes. Immediate DIEP flap reconstruction is performed during the same operation as mastectomy and is often the preferred approach when oncologically safe, as the patient never has to live without a breast mound.
Older TRAM flap procedures sacrificed part of the rectus abdominis muscle, leading to abdominal weakness and higher hernia risk. DIEP flap dissects only the perforating blood vessels through the muscle, leaving the muscle itself intact preserving core strength.
If lower abdominal tissue is insufficient, alternatives include TUG flap (using inner thigh tissue), latissimus dorsi flap (back tissue), or implant-based reconstruction. Dr. Rachana Tataria will assess this during your consultation.
Sensation is usually reduced after mastectomy regardless of reconstruction technique. Some return of light touch sensation occurs gradually over 12–24 months with DIEP flap, particularly when nerve-preserving techniques are used.
DIEP flap results are essentially permanent. The reconstructed breast is your own living tissue and will age, change with weight, and behave like the rest of your body throughout your life. There are no implants to replace.
Get in Touch with Dr. Rachana Tataria
Whether you’re ready to take the next step or have questions about DIEP Flap Reconstruction, we are here to guide you.
Begin your journey toward transformation.