The DIEP flap has become one of the best breast reconstruction procedures today. By utilizing your own skin and fat from your lower abdomen, this tissue is then transferred up to your breast and microsurgically reconnected to vessels in the nearby area in order to revascularize the tissue and provide a soft, supple, and durable breast reconstruction that looks and feels as a natural breast without the necessity of implants. Just like a tummy tuck, this tissue is harvested from the same area leaving an incision on your lower belly, hidden within your panty line. Another advantage is that there is minimal morbidity to you, since only skin and fat are taken…leaving all of your abdominal muscles intact, thus maintaing abdominal wall integrity with minimal, if any change in strength and range of motion.
Fat grafting has also become a mainstay in breast reconstruction. By harvesting your own fat from areas in your body where there is excess via liposuction, this tissue is then prepared and reinjected into your breast. It has become a great adjunct in breast reconstruction and significantly increased aesthetic results by its ability to improve contour deformities as well as increase size and improve shape. It can also mask issues with rippling caused by implants. One of the biggest advantages is its ability, as stem cells, to increase vascularity and ameliorate damages caused by radiation or scarring.
Fat grafting can be used along with the DIEP flap to improve contour deformities as well as improve shape and increase size. It can provide all of the aforementioned advantages and is an excellent adjunct to breast reconstruction, especially in the DIEP flap. These two techniques are specialized techniques. Consult with a surgeon well-skilled and proficient in these two techniques. There are several techniques available in breast reconstruction, and ensure that you are aware and offered all of them – then you can decide which one is the right one for you!
Back to blog
