Who is eligible for DIEP flap surgery?

Who is eligible for DIEP flap surgery?

Generally speaking, you may be a candidate for DIEP flap if you: Have excess tissue in your lower abdominals. Want results that typically look and feel more natural than implants. Have realistic expectations for the procedure and are aware of the potential risks.

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

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.

Do you lose weight after DIEP flap?

If you lose weight after DIEP surgery, your reconstructed breasts will likely decrease in size as well. This change may be minimally noticeable or drastic, depending on how your body reacts to weight loss.

Is Diep a tummy tuck?

While we often say that a DIEP Flap procedure is like getting a tummy tuck, the focus of the surgery is natural breast reconstruction. 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.

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).

Should I lose weight before Diep?

Should I gain weight prior to my DIEP flap breast reconstruction? For the majority of patients, the answer to this question is no. Because weight gain occurs fairly uniformly over the entire body, it does little to add volume to the abdomen and instead makes closure at the donor site tighter and more prone to problems.

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.

What is Phase 2 of DIEP flap?

Second stage surgery is outpatient (meaning patients do not need to stay overnight in the hospital), and usually takes about 2-3 hours. What is involved in the second stage of DIEP flap surgery? During this procedure, the surgeon takes care to shape and modify the breast(s) to make them as symmetrical as possible.

Should I lose weight before DIEP?

How much fat do you need for Diep Flap?

How often do DIEP flaps fail?

There were no DIEP flap failures. Excluding superficial inferior epigastric artery flaps, the overall DIEP/abdominal perforator exchange flap failure rate was 0.27 percent.

What is removed during the DIEP flap?

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.

Is a DIEP flap best for me?

Thank you for your question. A DIEP flap is an excellent option for you, and will provide healthy tissue to reconstruct your breasts. Although the DIEP flap can be a lengthy surgery and recovery, in the long run, you’ll have natural breasts with good shape and projection.

Is DIEP flap sugery safe?

Overall, the researchers found that though DIEP flap surgery is generally safe and has a low risk of post-surgery issues, women having both breasts rebuilt had more post-surgery issues than their peers having one breast rebuilt. Of the total study group, about 1 in 4 women experienced an issue that required another surgery.

What is the recovery time for flap surgery?

It generally takes four to six weeks for a full recovery from a DIEP flap procedure. Heavy lifting: Patients should avoid lifting any heaving objects for the first two to three weeks following surgery. Surgical drains: Surgical drains will be removed at one to two weeks following the surgery.