Dr. Norman Rowe, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Red Bank, New Jersey, specializes in advanced breast reconstruction using the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap (DIEP flap) procedure.
Breast cancer strikes one in every eight American women. Those who survive are often scarred for life. If you’re one of those survivors, you don’t have to remain scarred. A DIEP flap surgery is a breast reconstruction technique that follows a mastectomy. DIEP stands for a deep inferior epigastric perforator type of flap surgery, and it’s a microsurgical technique to rebuild your breast.
During the procedure, a skilled plastic surgeon uses the tissue, fat, and blood vessels from your lower abdomen — the same fat that would be thrown away in a tummy tuck — to reconstruct one or both breasts lost to your cancer treatment. The procedure gets its name from the deep inferior epigastric perforator, the DIEP, which is the branch of blood vessels relocated during the procedure.
If your breast cancer surgeon recommends mastectomy, talk to a board-certified cosmetic surgeon about DIEP flap reconstruction. The compassionate cosmetic breast surgeons at Rowe Plastic Surgery in Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, and the Hamptons perform transformative breast surgeries, including breast reconstruction.
They use a multi-disciplinary approach to breast reconstruction that includes:
“At Rowe Plastic Surgery, we have extensive experience performing DIEP flap surgery. This expertise allows us to achieve optimal outcomes for our patients.” – Dr. Norman Rowe
The DIEP flap procedure differs from other breast reconstruction surgeries because the surgeon leaves your abdomen muscles in place. The DIEP flap breast reconstruction is an improvement over other surgical procedures, such as the TRAM breast reconstruction, and offers unique long-term benefits.
The timing of a DIEP flap breast reconstruction can differ, so there are three types of the procedure:
At one of the Rowe Plastic Surgery facilities in New Jersey and New York, the surgical team carries out extensive tests to determine the best surgery plan for your case. After your mastectomy, several factors determine the best time for your DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
- DIEP flap surgery offers exceptional success rates, ranging from 96% to 99%.
- A remarkable 83% of women choosing tissue reconstruction opt for DIEP flap surgery.
- The DIEP flap technique, introduced by Allen and Treece in 1994, has revolutionized breast reconstruction. This innovative method utilizes a woman’s own tissue, leading to a more natural look and feel. This advancement is reflected in its impressive success rates, with published studies reporting flap failure rates as low as 1% to 4%.
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A DIEP flap breast reconstruction is a major cosmetic procedure performed by a top surgeon while you’re under general anesthesia. It takes between six and eight hours, depending on if one or both breasts need reconstruction.
The steps in this breast procedure include:
If you have breast cancer and your surgeon recommends a mastectomy, consider DIEP flap breast reconstruction as part of your recovery. For a delayed DIEP surgery, your plastic surgeon inserts tissue expanders in your chest and then waits for the second stage of the DIEP flap surgery to completely rebuilding your breast. This usually doesn’t happen until you’ve completed all your cancer treatments.
Your recovery from DIEP flap breast reconstruction varies. Some helpful notes about mastectomy DIEP flap recovery include:
For most women, DIEP flap surgery recovery takes between six and eight weeks. If you need delayed DIEP surgery, the second part comes after your final cancer treatments. A second surgery rebuilds your breast.
DIEP Flap is quite a safe procedure, but as with any surgical intervention, it has some risks and complications.
They include:
If you’re receiving radiation therapy on your skin and chest wall, it’s important to know it can affect healing after breast reconstruction surgery. Your doctor might advise waiting until radiation is finished before the second stage of reconstruction.
When considering DIEP Flap Surgery for breast reconstruction after breast cancer treatment, it is crucial to select a qualified specialist. An experienced surgeon with the necessary skills can offer a personalized approach that caters to the patient’s specific requirements, focusing on restoring both physical appearance and the individual’s emotional and psychological well-being.
To find a specialist offering DIEP Flap Surgery near you, follow these steps:
Set up initial consultations with potential specialists that you’ve found. During these consultations, you can talk about your individual requirements, evaluate the surgeon’s experience, and find out how comfortable you are with them and their team.
If you are considering DIEP flap breast reconstruction, contact Rowe Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation and discover more about your options.
The cost of a DIEP flap reconstruction typically ranges from $38,500 to $50,000, averaging between $40,000 and $46,000. The exact price depends on individual needs. As this is considered reconstructive surgery, many insurance plans offer coverage. We can help you determine if your insurance can cover this procedure.
Here at RPS, we work together as three expert surgeons, in addition to our large staff of nurses, physician assistants, and other team members.
“Many patients are surprised by the natural look and feel achievable with DIEP flap surgery. It can significantly improve a woman’s quality of life after undergoing mastectomy.” – Dr. Norman Rowe
Yes! When you undergo DIEP flap surgery, a top surgeon connects the nerve in the flap to the nerve in your chest. Sometimes, this does result in a breast or nipple that has a sensation.
You get more natural-looking results. The reconstructed breast is more like your original breast than an implant-reconstructed breast. The new breast is made of warm, soft, living tissue from your tummy.
The focus of the DIEP flap surgery is natural breast reconstruction, but it may give you the benefits of a tummy tuck, including toning and tightening.
A TRAM (transverse abdominis muscle) flap involves taking the fat and muscle from your abdomen to construct a new breast. A DIEP flap involves taking the fat, but leaving the muscle. A DIEP flap is a more technically difficult operation, as your expert surgeon carefully separates the blood vessels from the muscles of your abdomen to preserve them.
Studies on DIEP flap vs. implants show higher satisfaction levels with DIEP flap surgery. There are higher DIEP flap surgery risks, but the results last a lifetime, while an implant’s lifespan is 10 to 20 years.
Yes. If you had breast implants for your reconstruction or no reconstruction at all, you’re a candidate for DIEP flaps.
You can have a DIEP flap years after your initial cancer surgery, especially if you’ve undergone radiation and you prefer a softer, more natural-looking breast. Patients who undergo a delayed reconstruction often have high satisfaction rates with their procedures. A DIEP flap can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at any time afterward.
Rarely. The signs of DIEP flap failure become obvious. The tricky part of the procedure is connecting the tissue from your abdomen to the blood supply in your chest. If done improperly, the DIEP flap fails, and the tissue dies. To avoid this, choose an expert in the procedure.
You can combine a DIEP flap surgery with a lymph node axillary or armpit reconstruction if you have lymphedema.
Insurance policies that cover a mastectomy also pay for breast reconstruction of your choice, including DIEP flap surgery.
If you’ve had or going to have a mastectomy, consider the benefits of breast reconstruction to regain your figure and your femininity. The plastic surgery team at Rowe Plastic Surgery uses their expertise to carry out successful breast surgery procedures. Contact the NYC practice today to schedule a consultation. Do it before you schedule your mastectomy. Find their offices in Manhattan, Planview, and Water Mill, NY, and in Montclair and Red Bank, NJ.
My experience was amazing I had a breast reduction on July 16th 2019. From my consolation up to my post ops I was very comfortable. The doctor did am amazing job with my breast, I feel so much better and lighter. Lisa and Simone did a good job, they are pleasant people to talk to, the environment of the office in New York is amazing,makes you feel like you're welcomed. I love Elizabeth, she's very gentle and patient. She answers any concerns or questions you may have, so sweet. Dr. Rowe and Dr. Pierce were amazing. I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you ..
Literally the best decision I ever made aside from being a mom. They helped me through my whole reduction process from my insurance to outside appointments even to offer transportation to and from my surgery. Not to mention I am very happy with the results. I did my appointments out of their red bank office with Dr Pierce
If you’re ready to schedule your DIEP flap surgery or simply want to learn more about the procedure, our doctors can give you the answers and reassurance you need to make the decision that’s right for you. To schedule your private consultation, call 212-628-7300.
212-628-7300
*Consult fee for cosmetic services only
