What is the difference between implant and flap breast reconstruction procedures?
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to breast reconstruction. Knowing all of your options is crucial before deciding on any surgery.
Women often come to PRMA for consultation thinking reconstruction with implants is the only option available. In reality, most women actually have several options including various perforator flap procedures which use the patient’s own tissue to reconstruct a more “natural” breast.
The gold standard in tissue reconstruction is the DIEP flap procedure which uses the patient’s lower tummy skin and fat, rather like a tummy tuck. Key differences between the DIEP flap and implant breast reconstruction include:
Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to breast reconstruction. Knowing all of your options is crucial before deciding on any surgery.
Leave Comment
I am 47 yo breast cancer patient. I have had 20 weeks of chemo 30 radiation treatments and a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed with right axilla dissection. I am on target for reconstruction in August 2018. I am trying to determine between implant or diet flap. Can you provide any information to help me in my decision?
July 20,2020
Hey Beverly! So sorry to hear you are going through all of this! There is no cookie-cutter approach to breast reconstruction and each individual has their own needs and expectations for their end results. It is very important to evaluate all of your options and decide what’s best for you! We would be more than happy to review your needs and provide you with our recommendations via our FREE virtual consultation form at https://prma-enhance.com/schedule-a-consultation/.
July 20,2020
Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter
Continue Reading
Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect
Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect December 09, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Following DIEP flap breast reconstruction, patients are typically in the hospital for about 2-3 days. During that time, patients often wonder what they should expect. Here is what a typical hospital stay for PRMA patients entails… Flap […]
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period
Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period December 02, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin During our pre-operative appointment with patients, a topic that occasionally arises is menstrual cycles. It is completely normal for women to experience changes with their periods throughout breast cancer treatments. These can be temporary or permanent. Periods can be unpredictable following […]
What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery
What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery November 17, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, many patients want to know what types of bras and abdominal girdles they should plan to wear after surgery. Although every surgeon has slightly different preferences, we have put together […]
My 5 DIEP Flap Realities | A Guest Blog From Julie
My 5 DIEP Flap Realities October 28, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hi everyone, my name is Julie from It’s a Bosom Thing. I am so happy to be here as a guest blogger and have this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts about life after DIEP Flap Surgery. I was diagnosed […]
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap
PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap October 22, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yesterday we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness day! Although we missed seeing everyone in person this year, we were still able to spread education and awareness on ALL reconstructive options through our virtual efforts. We were also able to share information on […]
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery
Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP flap breast reconstruction is typically comprised of at least two stages for the best outcomes. The second stage of surgery is commonly referred to as the “revision” stage and is usually performed about three months after the initial reconstruction. The purpose […]
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them?
If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Flap-based breast reconstruction procedures, like the DIEP flap, offer patients a safe, natural implant-alternative option to reconstruction after a mastectomy. Flap surgeries are permanent and are associated with fewer complications after radiation when […]
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction?
What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is a “skin island”? The term “skin island” is used to describe the remaining visible skin from a transplanted “flap” of tissue. In the setting of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the skin island […]
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction August 10, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin We have been receiving numerous inquiries about the “APEX flap” recently. Patients want to know what it is and how it differs from the DIEP flap. APEX is an acronym that stands for “Abdominal Perforator Exchange”. Many patients believe […]
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery
Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Autologous flap (or tissue) breast reconstruction procedures represent today’s most advanced options for rebuilding a breast(s) following mastectomy. The most commonly performed method of flap-based reconstruction at PRMA is the DIEP flap. During this procedure, surgeons transplant skin […]
Eat Well to Heal Well after Breast Reconstruction
PRMA Plastic Surgery Celebrates 20 Years
Beverly Goley Nicholson
I am 47 yo breast cancer patient. I have had 20 weeks of chemo 30 radiation treatments and a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders placed with right axilla dissection. I am on target for reconstruction in August 2018. I am trying to determine between implant or diet flap. Can you provide any information to help me in my decision?
PRMA Plastic Surgery
Hey Beverly! So sorry to hear you are going through all of this! There is no cookie-cutter approach to breast reconstruction and each individual has their own needs and expectations for their end results. It is very important to evaluate all of your options and decide what’s best for you! We would be more than happy to review your needs and provide you with our recommendations via our FREE virtual consultation form at https://prma-enhance.com/schedule-a-consultation/.