For many women, undergoing breast reconstruction surgery is rooted in a desire to reclaim confidence and restore a sense of wholeness. You don’t want to look overdone or unnatural — you just want to look and feel like you again.

Fortunately, DIEP flap surgery (a sophisticated technique that uses your own tissue to create a soft, natural breast shape) offers the benefits of a fuller, more youthful-looking bust without the dramatic change and long-term risks of implants. That said, this surgery isn’t right for everyone.

So, how do you know if you’re an ideal DIEP flap candidate? And what can you expect from this procedure?

Here’s everything you need to know to help you determine whether this surgery is the right fit.

What Is DIEP Flap Surgery?

Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap is a highly advanced breast reconstruction technique performed by leading board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Sean Boutros. Sometimes referred to as a fat transfer breast reconstruction, this procedure uses fat and skin from a patient’s abdominal area to re-create a natural-looking breast shape without the need for foreign materials. It’s ideal for patients who have undergone a mastectomy or implant removal — or anyone looking for an alternative to traditional breast augmentation.

While some DIEP flap surgeries can be highly invasive — with large incision sites and long recovery times — Dr. Boutros uses a more innovative “microsurgical” approach. By keeping incisions small, carefully connecting blood vessels from transferred tissue with those in the chest, and preserving patients’ abdominal muscles, his less-invasive technique ensures faster recoveries and better outcomes. Plus, patients can enjoy a flatter, tighter stomach (similar to the result of a tummy tuck).

Who Makes a Good Candidate for DIEP Flap Surgery?

As soon as patients learn about this procedure, their first question is usually, “Am I a candidate for DIEP flap?” In most cases, ideal candidates meet the following criteria:

• Medical history: This option is safest for patients who are in good overall health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations about outcomes. While surgeons often recommend DIEP flap for breast implant illness (BII) patients or those who have undergone a mastectomy, they will likely advise you not to pursue this procedure if you’re actively undergoing cancer treatment or still healing from breast implant removal.
• Physical criteria: For the best outcomes, you need to have enough excess skin and fat in your abdominal area to reconstruct or augment your breast shape. (Women who have had children or are predisposed to carrying excess tissue in the lower belly are often good candidates for this surgery.)

When Is DIEP Flap Not Recommended?

Here are a few scenarios in which your surgeon will likely not recommend DIEP flap breast reconstruction or augmentation:

• Prior abdominal surgery: If you’ve previously undergone abdominal surgery (such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, or hernia repairs using mesh), you likely will not have enough usable tissue for this procedure.
• Low body fat or blood vessel quality: A successful DIEP flap requires plenty of fat tissue and healthy blood vessels that can withstand microsurgical connections. People who have a low body fat percentage, certain vascular diseases, or blood vessel damage may not qualify for this surgery.
• Underlying health conditions that affect healing: People who have heart or lung conditions, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, and other chronic conditions that may impact the body’s natural ability to heal are also likely not good candidates for a DIEP flap.

DIEP Flap for Implant Removal or BII Patients

As mentioned, this type of procedure is often recommended for people who have decided to have their breast implants removed after developing BII or other concerns. Here are answers to three FAQs these patients often have:

• Why is DIEP flap surgery ideal for post-implant or explant patients?
  Dr. Boutros frequently performs DIEP flap procedures on patients who have decided to remove their implants due to BII or those who simply no longer want them. By restoring breast shape using the patient’s own tissue, this surgery offers a great, natural-feeling alternative.
• How does a DIEP flap help preserve breast volume after capsulectomy?
  Sometimes, patients develop a thick scar tissue capsule around their implant, which can cause pain, firmness, and other complications. If it’s severe enough, patients may opt for a capsulectomy, which removes the implant and scar tissue — but also significantly reduces breast volume. A DIEP flap procedure can help restore that volume, eliminating the “deflated” results after explant surgery.
• How does a DIEP flap avoid complications like capsular contracture?
  Opting for breast reconstruction without implants means eliminating the risk of capsular contracture. Because the procedure uses your own tissue, you’re also at a reduced risk of severe inflammation, infection, or other long-term complications some patients experience with breast implants.

Discover If DIEP Flap Is Right for You with Dr. Boutros

Researching DIEP flap vs implants can sometimes lead to more questions than answers — especially if you’re unsure whether you’re a good DIEP flap candidate. That’s why it’s best to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

When you book a consultation with Dr. Boutros, he will walk you through your natural breast reconstruction options, determine whether you’re a good fit for this procedure, and explain the recovery process in detail. By choosing the best DIEP flap surgeon Houston has to offer, you can rest assured you’re on the path to looking and feeling more comfortable and confident.