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PRMA Plastic Surgery

How Painful is DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction?

July 20, 2020

When patients learn about DIEP flap as an option for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, one of the first questions they ask is how painful the procedure is.

The DIEP flap uses a patient’s skin and fat from the lower abdomen to recreate a breast. The abdominal incision runs from hip to hip just like a tummy tuck scar. Because of this, patients tend to think this procedure will be more painful and require a longer recovery time compared to implant reconstruction.

This is a common misconception!

In fact, with the implementation of our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, our patients continuously report that recovery is much easier than what they had anticipated.

Laurie recently underwent bilateral DIEP flap reconstruction. Just two weeks after surgery she shares that she “feels amazing” and is only taking Tylenol on occasion to help with any discomfort.

“I had the worst anxiety before surgery,” shares Laurie. Now at two weeks post op she says that choosing to have DIEP flap was “100% the right choice.” “I was in the hospital for only two days and had no pain,” Laurie continues.

Laurie’s experience is reflected in majority of our patients undergoing reconstruction. Our ERAS protocol has been a game changer for patients! Patients are experiencing less pain, taking little to no narcotics, are up walking the day after surgery and can return home from the hospital in as little as 2 days.

Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd

Laurie recently underwent bilateral DIEP flap reconstruction. Just two weeks after surgery she shares that she “feels amazing” and is only taking Tylenol on occasion to help with any discomfort.

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Laurie

I had DIEP Reconstruction at University of Michigan in 2015. Best option for Reconstruction. Implants require many surgeries and many complications. Don’t be afraid you will feel so much better!!

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Nyree

Hello,I’ve had 2 diep flaps due to reconstruction. This second was done June23. I’m now having severe pain directly Delos the incision all of a sudden the past 3days as if something stabbing me from the inside. Panties etc makes it worse feel like a severe burn or something only in 1 small particular area. Very uncomfortable. I’m thinking nerve damage even tried tweezing all small hair to no avail.

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1. PRMA Plastic Surgery
  
  Hello, we are so sorry to hear you have been through so much! We highly recommend reaching out to the plastic surgeon who performed your surgery as soon as possible. However, if you are in need of a second opinion our board-certified plastic surgeons would be more than happy to evaluate your needs and provide you with their medical recommendations upon consultation. Please feel free to give us a call at 210-692-1181 to schedule or complete our virtual consultation here: https://prma-enhance.com/schedule-a-consultation/.
  
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