DIEP FLAP BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic
Surgery Time
6 Hours
Drains
Yes
Recovery garments
Bra, compression garment for abdomen
Hospital stay
3-5 nights
Follow-up
1 week and 2 weeks after discharge
Return to desk-based work
2-3 weeks
Return to driving
4 weeks
Return to sport
6-8 weeks
DIEP Flap Breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction using your own tissues (“autologous breast reconstruction”) is a great option if you are a candidate for it. Autologous reconstructions are often more natural in appearance and age and change with the rest of your body. They are also more durable to radiotherapy compared to implant-based reconstructions.
The first line option for autologous breast reconstruction is a flap of tissue taken from below your belly button. This is known as a DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator) flap. This flap can be shaped to reconstruct either 1 or 2 breasts depending on your needs. It can be performed at the time of your mastectomy (immediate) or at any time after your cancer treatment has finished (delayed). If you have previously had an implant/tissue expander based breast reconstruction this can be replaced using your abdominal tissues also.