Facing concerns with breast reconstruction, body contouring, or aesthetic enhancements?
Dr. Rachana Tataria provides advanced, evidence-based surgical solutions to help you achieve confidence, comfort, and renewed well-being.
DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) Flap Reconstruction is an advanced and highly effective procedure for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. This technique involves using your own tissue from the lower abdomen (similar to a tummy tuck) to create a new breast mound. The tissue is carefully moved, preserving the blood vessels that supply it, which ensures the skin and fat remain healthy. Unlike other methods, DIEP Flap does not involve muscle removal, which reduces the risk of long-term complications and maintains strength in the abdominal area.
This method provides natural-looking and feeling results, with the added benefit of restoring volume to the breast using your body’s tissue. For many women, the DIEP Flap procedure is the preferred option as it offers a personalized and permanent solution to breast reconstruction, giving both aesthetic and functional benefits.
Dr. Rachana Tataria, a leading expert in breast reconstruction, specializes in DIEP Flap procedures, ensuring personalized care, advanced surgical techniques, and a smooth recovery process. If you're considering breast reconstruction options, Dr. Tataria can help you understand whether DIEP Flap is the right choice for your unique needs.
Unlike traditional methods, such as TRAM Flap or implants, DIEP Flap reconstruction uses your own tissue without removing muscle. This provides a more natural result and reduces the risk of long-term muscle weakness in the abdominal area. DIEP Flap is a more intricate procedure and typically requires a longer recovery time, but it offers more permanent and aesthetically satisfying outcomes.
DIEP Flap reconstruction offers several advantages:
- Natural appearance: The reconstructed breast feels and looks more natural.
- No muscle removal: Preserving the abdominal muscles reduces complications and maintains abdominal strength.
- Permanent results: The reconstructed breast is long-lasting and will change over time just like a natural breast.
- Donor Area Abdominoplasty: As we take your tissue from the lower abdomen, you end up getting a tummy tuck.
You can get your breast reconstruction done immediately at the same time as the mastectomy or in a delayed setting after completion of your breast cancer treatment. Of course, you will be assessed for suitability by Dr. Tataria.
Any surgical procedure comes with its set of fixed complications which include bleeding, infection, scarring, seroma, return to theatre and further procedures. There is 2-3% risk of flap failure.
DIEP Flap needs a surgeon with microsurgical expertise with a specialist team and vast majority of cases are a success. Other risks involved are blood clots in the leg (DVT) or the lung (PE), fat necrosis, wound breakdown and post operative pain.
Ladies with significant health issues or bleeding/clotting tendencies (coagulopathies) , smoking and history of previous abdominoplasty may not be able to have a DIEP flap reconstruction.
However, some factors can be optimised and please consult Dr Tataria if you are a good candidate.
Yes absolutely you can have this procedure before or after radiotherapy. Infact, autologous (own tissue) breast reconstruction is the choice of procedure in patients receiving radiotherapy as implants are known to have high complication rates due to scarring and fibrosis.
DIEP Flap breast reconstruction not only restores the physical appearance of the breast but also significantly impacts emotional well-being.
For many women, reconstructing the breast after a mastectomy helps regain confidence, feel more complete, and improve overall body image. The natural tissue used in DIEP Flap reconstruction provides a softer, more authentic feel compared to implants, which can further enhance a patient’s emotional recovery.
If you’ve had a mastectomy and are wondering about your reconstruction options, it’s crucial to understand the potential benefits of DIEP Flap. With this option, you can restore both the aesthetics of your body and your emotional health.
Yes, DIEP Flap provides a more natural-looking and natural-feeling breast compared to implants, as it uses your own tissue. The tissue feels softer and more like a natural breast, which is often preferred by many women who choose this option.
For many women, DIEP Flap reconstruction significantly boosts their self-esteem and body image after mastectomy. It allows them to feel whole again, and many women report feeling more positive about their bodies after undergoing the procedure.
The results of DIEP Flap reconstruction are long-lasting and permanent, as the tissue used for reconstruction comes from your own body. Unlike breast implants, if this procedure works it does not have a shelf life and is ‘you’ forever.
However, just like natural breasts, the reconstructed breasts may change over time due to aging or weight fluctuations.
DIEP Flap reconstruction is a highly specialized procedure that involves transferring tissue from the lower abdomen on its own blood supply to create a new breast.
During surgery, the skin, fat, and blood vessels are carefully separated from the abdominal wall and relocated to the breast area. The tissue is then reshaped and attached to the chest wall blood vessels using microsurgical techniques. Because the muscle is left intact, recovery is typically quicker compared to other types of tissue-based reconstruction.
The procedure generally takes between 6 to 8 hours and may require a hospital stay of 3 to 5 days, depending on individual factors. While this is a complex surgery, it offers one of the most natural and satisfying results in breast reconstruction.
Yes, DIEP Flap reconstruction is performed under general anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free during the surgery.
The surgery typically lasts between 6 to 8 hours, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the individual case.
No, the DIEP Flap procedure is not minimally invasive. It involves a detailed microsurgical approach, including incisions in both the abdomen and the breast. However, because the surgery avoids muscle removal, recovery is typically less painful than other options.
Most patients will stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days to monitor their recovery and ensure there are no complications. You will be closely monitored during the healing process.
While recovery time varies for each individual, most patients can return to light activities within 6 to 8 weeks. Strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for at least 2 to 3 months to ensure proper healing.
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Recovery after DIEP Flap reconstruction is a gradual process that prioritizes healing and restoring normal activities. Most patients stay in the hospital for 3 to 5 days following surgery for monitoring and pain management. During the initial weeks, you may experience swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications.
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or abdominal strain for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Gentle walking and light movement are encouraged to promote circulation and reduce the risk of complications. Full recovery typically takes about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on individual factors and adherence to post-operative care instructions.
Dr. Rachana Tataria and her team provide detailed aftercare guidelines and follow-up appointments to ensure optimal healing and long-lasting results.
The recovery process involves a hospital stay of 3-5 days, followed by gradual return to normal activities. You will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a few months to allow the newly transferred tissue to heal properly.
Some discomfort is normal, especially in the first few weeks. Pain is typically managed with prescribed medications, and the abdominal incision site may be more sensitive during the early stages of recovery.
You can expect to feel more like yourself after about 6 to 8 weeks, but complete recovery may take up to 3 months or more. Dr. Rachana Tataria will provide personalized guidance to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.
If you’re considering DIEP Flap breast reconstruction, take the first step by booking a consultation with Dr. Rachana Tataria. She will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and create a personalized surgical plan that aligns with your goals.
Rebuild your body and regain your confidence with expert care and support every step of the way. Dr. Rachana Tataria ensures a thorough consultation to address all concerns, discuss realistic outcomes, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals.
DIEP Flap reconstruction is suitable for many women, particularly those who have enough tissue in the abdominal area to create a new breast.
However, it’s important to undergo a detailed consultation with your surgeon to determine if this procedure is right for you.
Many insurance providers cover the cost of DIEP Flap surgery if it’s deemed medically necessary after a mastectomy. It’s best to check with your insurance company for specific details about coverage.
Yes, DIEP Flap can often be performed in conjunction with a mastectomy as part of a two-stage surgical approach.
This is called "immediate breast reconstruction," and it can help reduce the emotional impact of undergoing both procedures separately.
Since the tissue used in DIEP Flap reconstruction comes from your own body, it may be affected by future pregnancies.
This doesn’t mean you cannot get pregnant after the surgery, but your reconstructed breasts may undergo changes in shape or size.
