Jacksonville DIEP Flaps | Florida Breast Reconstruction
Serving Patients in Jacksonville, Florida
If you are considering DIEP Flap (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap) breast reconstruction in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, or St. Augustine you have found the right place for you. Dr. Desai has created microsurgical centers for breast reconstruction at two different hospitals and has performed the DIEP Flap surgery successful on many patients. In Jacksonville, breast reconstruction should involve a complete team of individuals including a general surgeon, your plastic surgeon, your surgical team, an anesthesiologist, and possibly a breast radiologist. Our team at Desai Plastic Surgery will create a customized approach for your DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.
In Florida, DIEP flaps (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap) are harvested by taking the skin and fat from the abdomen and carefully dissecting the blood vessels that keep it alive. The skin and fat is detached from the lower abdomen and placed onto the chest and artistically molded to recreate a natural breast. Microsurgery is used to hook up the artery and vein to help restore the blood flow. Microsurgical breast reconstruction has a high success rate (> 95%) and provides soft, pliable skin and fat to help create a natural breast.
The main advantage of the DIEP Flap is that the skin and fat is removed and the muscle is left behind completely intact. This preserves your abdominal wall strength and minimizes the chance of developing an abdominal wall bulge.
Most private insurance companies do cover the DIEP Flap breast reconstruction and we pre-authorize all the procedures prior to surgery to ensure insurance coverage.
Who is a candidate for a DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction?
Patients that are non-smokers and that have a moderate amount of abdominal wall skin and fat are excellent candidates for a DIEP Flap reconstruction. You may be asked to obtain a special CT SCAN to evaluate your blood vessels prior to surgery. Contact us now at (904)-262-3372 or (877) 790-0095 to learn more and schedule your consultation.
Recovery after your Jacksonville / Florida DIEP Flap breast reconstruction.
Patients are usually monitored every hour for the first 2 days to ensure adequate blood flow to the flaps. Patients are encouraged to walk on the first day and are maintained on blood thinners to prevent a blood clot.
The total hospitalization ranges from 4-7 days depending on the speed of your recovery. Patients are asked to wear an abdominal binder for 6 weeks and to avoid any heavy lifting until all the incisions are healed.
Desai Center of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
14540 Old St. Augustine Road Suite 2391 | Jacksonville, Florida 32258
(904)262-DESAI (3372)
(877)790-0095
