Top Breast Reconstruction Surgeon Near You
DIEP Flap Procedure
After a mastectomy, reconstruction surgery can be an important step for a woman on her journey to recovery. The DIEP flap procedure is a type of breast reconstruction surgery that uses a patient's own abdominal tissue to create a new breast mound. Resulting in a natural look and feel, this procedure is one of the most popular and common breast reconstruction techniques.
The DIEP flap procedure is performed by a surgical team with extensive training and years of experience. At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, our board-certified surgeons are leading experts in the field of microsurgical breast reconstruction with thousands of successful breast reconstruction surgeries under their belts.
If you're looking for a top breast reconstruction surgeon near you, look no further than The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction in Charleston, SC. We are ready to provide you with the best possible care and get you on your way to feeling like yourself again. Contact us today to learn more!
Expert DIEP Flap Surgery in Mt. Pleasant, SC
What Is DIEP Flap Reconstruction Surgery?
Short for "Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator," DIEP flap breast reconstruction is the most commonly performed type of flap-based breast reconstruction. During this procedure, the surgeon utilizes skin and fat from the lower abdomen (the donor site). Using microsurgical techniques, blood vessels within this removed tissue flap are then reattached to vessels in the chest.
Unlike implant reconstruction, DIEP flap surgery provides natural results that truly look and feel like a part of your body. This procedure also reconstructs the breast without ever sacrificing abdominal muscle. By not using the muscle, DIEP surgery has a lower risk of hernia and muscle weakness; these complications commonly develop after TRAM flap surgery, the predecessor of DIEP.
The excess tissue removal often enhances the shape of the donor site and gives the effect of an abdominoplasty ("tummy tuck").
Before & After Gallery
Primary right breast reconstruction with unilateral DIEP and ReSensation, immediate reconstruction after right nipple sparing mastectomy, left breast reduction for symmetry
- Age: Between 56 and 65 years old
- Weight: Over 185 pounds
- Height: 5'8" to 5'11"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 10 months
- Technique: DIEP Breast Reconstruction
Right DIEP with nipple reconstruction and tattooing
- Age: Between 56 and 65 years old
- Weight: Between 165 and 175 pounds
- Height: 5'0" to 5'3"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 18 months
- Technique: Right DIEP
Skin and nipple sparing mastectomy followed by Bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction
- Age: Between 56 and 65 years old
- Weight: Between 155 and 165 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 6 months
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Patient with failed implant reconstruction - Bilateral DIEP performed after implant removal
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 135 and 145 pounds
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 8 years
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Patient with DCIS right breast - immediate reconstruction with bilateral DIEP flaps.
- Age: Between 36 and 45 years old
- Weight: Between 155 and 165 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 22 months
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Skin and nipple sparing mastectomy - skin sparing DIEP with small skin paddles excised at later date
- Gender: Female
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Immediate DIEP to the right breast after mastectomy.
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 155 and 165 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 2 years
- Technique: Right Unilateral DIEP breast reconstruction
Delayed reconstruction following mastectomy performed nine years prior. Had left unilateral DIEP with a major revision of the left breast, right breast mastopexy for symmetry and excision of bilateral dog ears. Left nipple reconstruction with skate flap followed by nipple tattoing.
- Age: Between 56 and 65 years old
- Weight: Over 185 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 3 years
- Technique: delayed unilateral DIEP
Previous reconstruction with tissue expanders followed by implants. Conversion to natural breast reconstruction Bilateral DIEP after implant exposure
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 175 and 185 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 1 year
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Patient after Stage Two Right Unilateral DIEP - Stage three will consist of removal of excess skin and tissue from lateral donor site and fat grafting
- Age: Between 25 and 35 years old
- Weight: Between 175 and 185 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 14 months
- Technique: Right DIEP - Unilateral
Patient with Left Breast DCIS. Immediate reconstruction performed after nipple-sparing mastectomy. Photos are pre-op, after Stage 1, and after Stage 2.
- Age: Between 36 and 45 years old
- Weight: Between 145 and 155 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 11 Months
- Technique: Immediate Reconstruction with Bilateral DIEP
48 year old patient skin and nipple sparing mastectomy. Immediate reconstruction with Bilateral DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator breast reconstruction)
- Age: Between 46 and 55 years old
- Weight: Between 145 and 155 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 1 Year
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Bilateral DIEP with nipple reconstruction
- Age: Between 56 and 65 years old
- Weight: Between 165 and 175 pounds
- Height: 5'4" to 5'7"
- Gender: Female
- Post-op Timeline: 1 year
- Technique: Bilateral DIEP
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recovery period like after DIEP reconstruction?
Every patient is different, which means every patient's recovery looks a bit different. Typically, our patients can return to their normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks of a DIEP procedure, though more strenuous activities may take longer. During your consultation with your surgeon, you will be given more information about what to expect after your procedure.
What is the success rate of DIEP flap reconstruction?
DIEP flap breast reconstruction is very reliable, and our experienced surgeons have successfully performed thousands of these operations with excellent outcomes. At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we are confident that our team will provide you with exceptional care and results.
Will my insurance cover DIEP flap surgery?
At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we're proud to accept insurance plans for most major providers in our area. Thanks to the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies are also required to cover breast reconstruction surgery. We advise our patients to contact their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment to discuss coverage and costs.
To learn more about what plans we accept, visit our Insurance page or contact us today!
How can I get started with the best DIEP flap surgeons near me?
Starting your journey with The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is as easy as picking up the phone or filling out our easy-to-use online form! Our experienced team is happy to answer any questions and help book your consultation with one of our top breast reconstruction specialists. Contact us to get started!