How is a DIEP performed?

How is a DIEP performed?

During a DIEP flap reconstruction, tissue from a woman’s lower belly is surgically removed, shaped and attached to the chest to form a new breast. The surgeon takes skin, fat, and blood vessels, but leaves the underlying abdominal muscle (rectus abdominus) intact.

How is DIEP flap surgery performed?

During a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap procedure, the surgeon removes a section of abdominal skin and fat, along with the associated blood vessels. Using complex microsurgical techniques, the blood vessels are attached to the ones in your chest and the skin and fat are used to create a breast.

How do you prepare for DIEP reconstruction?

Most TRAM/DIEP flap reconstructive breast surgery takes between four and seven hours, depending on if one or both breasts are being reconstructed. Arrange a pre-operative (or pre-op) physical with your family doctor as early as three months before the surgery date but no later than one week before the surgery date.

What is stacked DIEP flap procedure?

During stacked DIEP flap surgery, an incision is made along your bikini line and the surgeon removes one long flap of skin, fat, and blood vessels from the lower half of your belly, or he removes one flap from each side. This tissue is moved up to your chest and formed into a breast shape.

How long are drains in after DIEP flap?

Surgical drains The drains can help prevent the tissue from becoming swollen and will usually stay in the body for 1–2 weeks.

How difficult is the recovery from DIEP flap surgery?

Healing and recovery after DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be significantly easier than most patients think. With the implementation of ERAS Protocols, most patients experience little discomfort after surgery, require little if any narcotics, and can be discharged from the hospital after 3 days or less.

Do you need expanders for DIEP?

If you’re a candidate for a DIEP flap, you may have reconstructive breast surgery at the time of your mastectomy or months to many years later. More and more women are opting to have immediate breast reconstructive surgery. In some cases you will need a tissue expander to make room for the new tissue.

Do you need expanders before DIEP flap?

Placing a tissue expander prior to a DIEP flap is referred to as “delayed-immediate” reconstruction and is the preferred approach for several reasons. If a DIEP flap is performed at the same time as your mastectomy, this combines two very large operations and increases your risk of complications.

What do you wear after DIEP flap surgery?

What do you wear after DIEP flap surgery? You may be given a support girdle or compression garment for your abdomen, and we recommended a supportive sports bra for your breasts. Wear clothes that are comfortable and don’t pull at or aggravate your stitches, and that are easy to get on and off.

How long does it take to recover from a DIEP flap?

For detailed information on how to care for the dressings, stitches, staples, and surgical drains, visit the Mastectomy: What to Expect page. It can take about 6 to 8 weeks to recover from DIEP flap reconstruction surgery. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a compression girdle for up to 8 weeks after surgery.

How do you shower after DIEP flap surgery?

You may shower 72 hours after surgery with drains in place. If you have implants, no showering until drains are removed. No tub soaking for 6 to 8 weeks. Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.

How painful is DIEP flap surgery?

You will be sore in the breast and in the area where the flap was taken. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in those areas. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day, although you may need pain medicine for a week or two. You may get tired easily or have less energy than usual.

How long do you have drains after DIEP flap?

How do you sleep after DIEP flap surgery?

Most plastic surgeons recommend sleeping exclusively on your back until you are completely healed. Sleeping on your back reduces painful stretching or pulling of the breast tissue. We also suggest elevating your upper body when sleeping on your back.

How long do you wear binder after DIEP flap?

If your surgeon gave you an abdominal binder, wear it all day for the first 3 weeks after surgery. Then wear it for the next 3 weeks during the day only. These signs can mean there is a problem with your flap and may need to be treated urgently.

How often do DIEP flaps fail?

Tissue rejection: Out of 100 people who have a DIEP flap, about 3 to 5 people will develop complete rejection or tissue death. This is called tissue necrosis, and it means that the whole flap fails.

Does DIEP flap lose weight?

Some patients may see results with the same toning and tightening as a tummy tuck, but others may not see drastic changes to their midsection. That said, each DIEP Flap patient will experience some weight reduction and tightening as an added benefit of the procedure.

Do you lose weight after DIEP flap surgery?

After the bilateral mastectomies, the patient lost additional weight after the completion of autologous flap reconstruction. Results: Our patient with a high body mass index, who underwent bilateral mastectomy with autologous flap reconstruction, was followed between 2018 and 2020.