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For women who don't want implants used in their breast reconstruction, free flap reconstruction may be an option. A free flap -- fat and skin removed from the abdomen -- can be used to recreate the fullness of a breast.

Traditional flap techniques sacrifice important abdominal muscles, as the muscles must be taken in order to bring the vital blood vessels along with the skin and fat. This leaves women with abdominal weakness.

DIEP Flap Reconstruction has been a major breakthrough. It uses the same tissue that is used in a typical flap -- the same tissue removed and thrown away in a tummy tuck -- but the DIEP flap spares the abdominal wall musculature. An artery and one or two veins that supply blood to the flap are carefully freed along with the flap, and cut and reattached, using microsurgery, to new vessels near the breast. Dr. Cassileth and her colleague, Dr. Leif Rogers, both skilled microsurgeons, perform the surgery together.

Actual Dr. Cassileth DIEP Flap Patient photos shown below. Click to enlarge.

Because of the delicate nature of this surgery, you are kept under close observation for two days after your surgery as the flap is checked hourly by trained nursing staff. Nothing is better for creating a breast that matches the other side, and it looks and feels normal.

With DIEP Flap Reconstruction, you end up not only with a great breast reconstruction, but also with a tummy tuck!
Cassileth Plastic Surgery
436 N Bedford Dr Ste 103 | Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310.278.8200 | [email protected]