Finding a Top DIEP Flap Surgeon in Connecticut

Top DIEP Flap Surgeon

The number one goal of breast reconstruction is to make the patient feel whole again.  Restoring the breasts after mastectomy can be performed with implants or a patient’s own tissues.  The most advanced technique using a patient’s own tissues is a perforator flap.  A perforator flap is a flap whose blood supply is dissected through muscle, but no muscle is removed.  When choosing a flap for breast reconstruction, it is important to look at the surgeon’s training and experience. 

Dr. Jandali trained at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the top centers in the world for free flap breast reconstruction.  Dr. Jandali and his team are one of the few teams in Connecticut performing DIEP flap breast reconstruction. 

Link to Main Webpage on DIEP Flaps

Natural Breast Reconstruction Without Implants

DIEP flaps are a natural form of breast reconstruction that use a patient’s own lower abdominal tissue.  This is the same tissue that would be removed during an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).  For a DIEP flap, the blood supply is meticulously dissected through the abdominal muscle, without removing any muscle.  The vessels are then connected to a new blood supply in the breast.  There are no implants needed and the entire breast is made of a patient’s own abdominal fat. 

Actual Patient – Before and After DIEP Flap Photos

  

DIEP flap breast reconstruction is the preferred method for reconstruction after mastectomy in certain cases.  For patients with previous radiation therapy, or patients who will need radiation therapy, the DIEP flap has lower complications than implant reconstruction. 

For patients who have had a problem with tissue expanders or implants, usually due to infection or capsular contracture, DIEP flap reconstruction is a great option. 

Some patients just do not desire implants at all, for various reasons.  Younger patients are great candidates for DIEP flap breast reconstruction because they can avoid multiple surgeries over their lifetime since implants have to be replaced every 10-15 years. 

DIEP Flap Recovery

DIEP flap surgery used to require strong narcotic pain medicine and an extended course in the hospital.  Now, DIEP flap recovery has been greatly improved.  We use a protocol after surgery with minimal use of narcotics, early movement in the hospital, and discharge home after 2-3 days.  Patients are walking and eating the day after surgery.  Patients have drains removed after 1-2 weeks and can drive at this time if comfortable and not taking any pain medication.  Patients can return to exercise and the gym after 6-8 weeks. 

DIEP Flap Results

DIEP flap results are dependent on multiple factors. Every patient’s anatomy is different – size of their breasts, shape of their breasts, and amount of lower abdominal tissue available for reconstruction of one of both breasts.

Sometimes patients have minimal abdominal tissue and a stacked DIEP flap can be performed for reconstruction of one breast after mastectomy. A stacked DIEP flap is where two DIEP flaps, one from each side of the lower abdomen, are “stacked” on top of each other in one breast to reconstruct it with adequate size. 

Actual Patient – Before and After Stacked DIEP Flap for Right Breast Reconstruction

  

DIEP flap results also depend on the quality of the mastectomy performed and any history of infection or radiation therapy.

Finding a Top DIEP Flap Surgeon 

When looking for a top DIEP flap surgeon, it is important to look at the plastic surgeon’s microsurgical training, how many flaps they perform in a month/year, how many flaps they have performed at the planned hospital, and what their success rate is for flaps. 

DIEP Flap Pictures

When consulting with a DIEP flap surgeon, you want to be able to look at multiple before and after DIEP flap photos to understand what you can expect to look like after surgery.  If you have lost a tissue expander or implant due to infection or radiation, you specifically want to ask to see photos of similar patients. 

Link to DIEP Flap Photos

DIEP Flap Reviews

Patients that have undergone DIEP flap breast reconstruction are usually incredibly pleased with the outcome. Studies show that patients with DIEP flaps have less breast reconstruction surgeries and revisions over a lifetime when compared to implant breast reconstruction. Also, with time and aging, breasts reconstruction with DIEP flaps tend to look better and more natural.

Contact Us - DIEP Flap Surgeon

If you or a loved one are in need of breast reconstruction and are interested in natural reconstruction with no implants, consider a DIEP flap. Call to schedule a consultation with Board Certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jandali: 203-374-0310.