DIEP Breast Reconstruction
What is DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
An Advanced Autologous
Breast Reconstruction Technique
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Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy that involves transferring the excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen to the chest to create a new breast mound.
How Does DIEP Flap Reconstruction Work?
The DIEP procedure uses microsurgical techniques, transferring tissue and blood vessels from your abdomen to your breasts. The existing blood vessels are cut and reattached to new blood vessels in your chest, keeping the new breast tissue alive and healthy throughout your life. The transplanted tissue is living, natural tissue that looks, feels, moves, and ages like your original breasts, which allows for the most natural-appearing results after mastectomy.
Benefits of DIEP Flap Surgery
Your Own Tissue
The DIEP flap uses your body’s tissue, so it will age with you. Over time, there will never be any risk of rejection. Your new breasts will also look, move, and feel like your natural breasts.
Look Better With Time
Most patients with autologous reconstruction look better with time as the breast mound softens and behaves like natural tissue.
Symmetrical Appearance
Whether you have had a unilateral or bilateral mastectomy due to breast cancer, as a preventative measure, or because of an injury, your plastic surgeon can ensure your breasts are symmetrical through DIEP flap reconstruction, as they control the amount of tissue being placed.
Cosmetic Bonus
The DIEP procedure is done by taking tissue from the abdomen, which gives the patient the added aesthetic benefit of a flat abdominal contour, similar to that seen after a cosmetic tummy tuck.
DIEP Flap Uses Your Own Natural Tissue for Breast Reconstruction
Dr. Oren Z. Lerman is a board-certified plastic surgeon offering DIEP flap surgery. This reconstructive breast technique makes use of the patient's natural tissue to restore size and volume. The results are breasts that look, feel, and move naturally, as well as a flatter midsection.
An Experienced Plastic Surgeon
With all the stress surviving breast cancer brings, choosing a plastic surgeon should not be one of them. Dr. Lerman can safely provide you with superior results that will leave you with natural-looking and natural-feeling breasts.
Dr. Lerman is the past president of the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons and director of breast reconstruction at Lenox Hill Hospital's Institute for Comprehensive Breast Care. He is also the director of microvascular and cosmetic breast fellowship, where he oversees the training of the next generation of DIEP flap breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgeons.
If you need breast reconstruction, call our Manhattan, NY, office today to set up your consultation with Dr. Lerman.
(212) 434-6980
New York Women Trust Dr. Lerman
Melodie Mane
2020
Dr Oren Lerman is the best at what he does and gets incredible results. Bonus he has a pleasant personality, he is a true professional ,and is trustworthy...
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Lizbeth Maxwell
2021
Dr. Lerman and his staff are amazing! I couldn’t be more satisfied with my results.
View On GoogleAm I a Candidate For DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
One of the most common misconceptions about DIEP reconstruction is that you must be overweight for DIEP flap. This is not always the case. You just need enough extra tissue to create a breast. Dr. Lerman often performs this type of reconstruction for women who have previously been told by other surgeons they are not good candidates.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and need a mastectomy, reach out to our Manhattan, NY, office to request a consultation to see if DIEP flap is the right choice for your breast reconstruction surgery.
What to Expect During Your DIEP Procedure
The first step is to consult with Dr. Lerman to ensure DIEP flap is the right reconstruction procedure to meet your needs and expectations.
Depending on if one or both breasts are being reconstructed, the DIEP procedure typically takes between six and eight hours.
What to Expect After DIEP Breast Reconstruction
It takes about 6-8 weeks to recover from DIEP reconstruction to where you can resume your regular activities and about one year for you to completely heal and the scars to fade. Dr. Lerman will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions after your reconstructive procedure and may recommend wearing a compression girdle up to eight weeks after surgery. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories may be prescribed to you once you are discharged from the hospital. It is important to only take these as directed by Dr. Lerman.
Results You Can be Proud Of
Aesthetic and reconstructive surgical techniques naturally complement one another, and a surgeon cannot excel in either without being adept at both. As a specialist in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, Manhattan surgeon Oren Lerman strives to achieve the highest level of excellence and care in treating all patients, whether you are looking to restore your natural form after breast cancer treatment or enhance your beauty through aesthetic surgery. You can be sure to have results that look and feel natural.
If you're in the New York area, call our Manhattan office today or send us a message to request your consultation.
(212) 434-6980
See Why New York Chooses Dr. Lerman After Mastectomy
Denise Nales
2021
Dr. Lerman performed 3 surgeries on me as I had a bilateral mastectomy. He is just such an amazing physician, who cares about his patients. Dr. Lerman is warm, caring and attentive to every detail. I am beyond satisfied with the results of my surgeries.
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Beth Stern
2019
I came to see Dr Lerman having begun the implant process post mastectomy but very unhappy with the tissue expander. I had constant discomfort and a misshapen breast. Within hours of Flap surgery my pain was gone. I am so thankful!
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DIEP Flap vs. Other Autologous
Perforator Flap Options
DIEP is one of the most advanced autologous flap reconstructions. By removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen, rather than muscle, allows for a quicker recovery and fewer risks than other autologous reconstructions. However, if there is not enough excess skin and fat in the abdomen and you still want to use your own, natural tissue, your doctor will recommend one of the alternatives.
TRAM Flap Reconstruction
TRAM flap reconstruction is one of the oldest and most common forms of autologous tissue breast reconstruction techniques. Like DIEP, TRAM flap reconstruction also takes tissue from the abdominal area; however, it removes part of the rectus muscle from the abdominal wall and transfers it to the breast. Since part of your muscle is removed, recovery is longer, more painful, and has more associated risks than the newer, more surgically advanced DIEP procedure.
SGAP Flap Reconstruction
Superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap reconstruction uses the tissue from your upper buttock to reconstruct your breast after a mastectomy. Unlike DIEP, the incisions of SGAP flap reconstruction are placed beneath the underwear line concealing them from view. However, similar to DIEP, SGAP can have an additional cosmetic benefit, making the skin around your buttocks tighter and more youthful in appearance.
TUG and PAP Flap Reconstruction
For women who do not have sufficient fat around their abdomen, transverse upper gracilis (TUG) and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap surgeries harvest the tissue from one or both inner thighs. PAP only harvests fatty tissue, and TUG harvests both fatty and muscle tissues. These procedures also have an added cosmetic benefit of providing a thigh lift giving patients slimmer, tighter legs.
DIEP Flap After Implant Reconstruction
The most common type of breast reconstruction after mastectomy in the United States is reconstruction using breast implants. Although this option works well for most women, it often needs to be revised over time.
Even when a result is excellent at the time of the mastectomy, many patients eventually develop complications in the years following or are dissatisfied with the result of the breast implants as their body changes and gravity and age take effect.
One of the best ways to fix problems or dissatisfaction with breast implants is to remove them completely and perform a DIEP flap reconstruction.
"I highly recommend Dr. Lerman."
Julie Rosenberg
2021
After consulting with several physicians, I met with Dr. Lerman and immediately felt the most comfortable with his knowledge, experience, patience, ability to explain medical details and answer questions and overall bedside manner. I would highly recommend Dr. Lerman if you are selecting a plastic surgeon and want someone who cares about his patients as well as surgical outcomes. His office staff members are also pleasant, extremely responsive and provide a comprehensive positive patient experience.
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Saul Melman
2021
I'm an ER doctor in NYC. I was referred to Dr. Oren Lerman by a colleague.
Dr. Lerman repaired my significantly deviated nasal septum with excellent cosmetic and functional results. Dr. Lerman listens well and took the time to explain his surgical approach and expectations. He demonstrated concern for my well being before AND after the surgery. I highly recommend Dr. Lerman .. in fact, I've already referred two other ER doctors to him for a similar issue.
