How is a DIEP performed?
During DIEP flap surgery, an incision is made along your bikini line and a portion of skin, fat, and blood vessels is taken from the lower half of your belly, moved up to your chest, and formed into a breast shape. No muscle should be moved or cut in a DIEP flap.
How is a DIEP flap done?
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.
What happens to belly button during DIEP flap?
In order to close the stomach incision, the upper abdominal tissue is stretched down to meet the lower part of the incision. The skin ends up covering the belly button, so a new hole must be created to expose it. I now have a small circular scar that surrounds my “new” (and improved) belly button.
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.
How long do drains stay 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 long do drains stay in after DIEP flap surgery?
Is DIEP flap major surgery?
A DIEP flap reconstruction is a major surgery that takes place under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will begin by making an incision across your lower abdomen. Then, they will loosen and remove a flap of skin, fat, and blood vessels from your abdomen.
How do you get out of bed after DIEP flap?
Why do I need to exercise after my reconstructive surgery? help you to get into the required position for radiotherapy (if needed), within a short period of time. Do not push or pull yourself onto or off the bed with your operated arm. Instead, use the roll technique to get in or out of bed.
When can you sleep on your side after having DIEP flap surgery?
When can you sleep on your side after having the DIEP procedure? You should be able to sleep on your side within four weeks of the breast surgery, but ensure you’re not putting any extra stress or pressure on the wounds if you do.
How do breasts feel after DIEP flap?
Following a TRAM flap or DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the reconstructed breast(s) will look and feel more like natural breasts than with implant or LD flap breast reconstruction techniques. In particular, the softness and droop of the breast(s) will be more like natural breasts.
How much fat do you need for DIEP flap?
There is also an upper limit beyond which the risks of surgery typically outweigh the benefits – At PRMA we set an upper BMI limit of 40. Research performed at PRMA has shown that performing the procedure on women with a BMI over 40 significantly increases the risk of complications (especially wound healing problems).
What is a DIEP flap procedure?
Immediate breast reconstruction: During immediate breast reconstruction, your DIEP flap procedure is performed by our reconstructive surgeons right after your general surgeon performs your mastectomy.
What is Diep breast reconstruction?
DIEP breast reconstruction is used to recreate a soft breast made entirely of living fat. In almost every case, the DIEP procedure can be done on the same day as mastectomy, which is known as “immediate reconstruction.” For women with a previous mastectomy, the DIEP may be performed at a separate time after a mastectomy.
Is Diep the best treatment for breast cancer?
Yet due to its significant benefits, DIEP is quickly becoming known as the state-of-the-art choice for breast cancer patients.
Does Brigham and women’s Hospital offer DIEP flap surgery?
DIEP Flap Reconstruction. That’s why Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), as one of the select few hospitals nationwide that offers DIEP flap surgery, is committed to educating patients about the procedure and offering its benefits to more and more women.