The key to this answer is that DIEP or Implant based reconstruction is in fact “a process”. No patient wakes up with a complete breast consisting of a skin envelope, tissue or an implant to make it protrude, and a nipple-areolar complex. It requires several stages before the reconstructive process is complete. Only the first stage (either the DIEP or insertion of the tissue expander) is a procedure that requires hospitilization. The other stages are all ambulatory procedures that have minimal recovery. Some in fact, (nipple reconstruction or tatoo placement) can be done in the office.

A rough estimate of the total reconstructive process in an woman who is undergoing IMMEDIATE DIEP or implant based reconstruction without the knowledge of the final pathology available at the the time of initial consultation is 3-9 months. Obviously, the need for chemotherapy, possible need of radiotherapy, and allowing for time for vacation, breaks and possible complications, all play a role in total time until completion. The reconstructive process is obviously much quicker when there is no need for chemotherapy (ie delayed reconstruction or when done for prophylactic reasons BRCA etc).

What a success! Our annual Breast Cancer Awareness tribute to our New Jersey Breast cancer patients was a huge success! Over 100 people from all over New Jersey were in attendance to salute our beautiful breast cancer survivors! Patients who had undergone implant reconstruction, DIEP Flap reconstruction and Microvascular TRAM Flap reconstruction were all in attendance as well as their friends and family. Everyone enjoyed mingling and hearing one another’s stories of survival and paying tribute to their heroism. Dr. Small was blessed with a gift from one of his patients: a beautiful portrait from reknowned artist and former patient Phoenix Smith. All in all, it was a wonderful evening of cocktails and good friends sharing their triumph over breast cancer and their resumption of a normal life.

If you or anyone you know has either undergone a mastectomy or is planning on undergoing a mastectomy, whether in New Jersey or not, please feel free to refer them to our office to learm more about DIEP Flap surgery as well as Free TRAM Flap and implant based reconstructive techniques.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on some of the least invasive and safest techniques in microvascular reconstuction. We all know that microvascular reconstruction offers the least invasive and most natural appearing results…but did you know that most plastic surgeons do not offer the option of microvascular techniques to ther patients due to lack of expertise in the procedure? Please call the office to find out information on DIEP flaps and other microvascular techniques offered by Dr Small.