Here is an article about Dee's work with cancer patients:
Women that Soar
Here is what I have researched online about the procedure:
Excerpts from Breastcancer.org:
DIEP stands for deep inferior epigastric perforator. This is the name of the main blood vessel that runs through the tissue that will be used to reconstruct the breast. In DIEP flap reconstruction, only skin, fat, and blood vessels are removed from the lower belly (the abdomen between the waist and hips). No muscle is removed.
The DIEP is a called a "free" flap because the tissue is completely detached from the belly and then reattached to the chest area. Hooking up the blood vessels from the belly tissue to chest blood vessels is delicate work. Your doctor has to use a microscope during surgery, which is why DIEP is known as microsurgery. Because of the time required for the blood vessel microsurgery, DIEP flap surgery takes about 5-8 hours to reconstruct one breast.
You end up with a tummy tuck as a fringe benefit of DIEP surgery because fat from your abdomen is removed to reconstruct your breast and loose skin is tightened up.
Breast reconstruction using your own tissue is popular because it’s a long-lasting solution (implants usually have to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years) and the consistency of the belly tissue is very similar to natural breast tissue. But the new breast will have little, if any, sensation.
DIEP has been used since the early 1990s. Because the surgery is more complicated, it's not offered everywhere. It's usually done by plastic surgeons who specialize in free flap breast microsurgery.
A small incision along the bikini line is made and the necessary skin, fat, and tiny blood vessels are removed. The fat and skin are shaped into a natural looking breast and sewn into place. The tiny blood vessels that feed the tissue of your new breast are matched to supplying vessels in your chest and reattached under a microscope. DIEP is major surgery and you should expect to spend about 4 weeks recovering.
STAGES OF DIEP FLAP RECONSTRUCTION
There are several stages to DIEP reconstruction:
First surgery - The tummy flap will be transferred to the chest and stitched in to create the mound. This is why there is an eliptical shaped scar, in those instances. You will end up with 2-3 drains, a couple of which will generally be removed within a week.
Second surgery (after first surgery has healed) - This is the "tweaking" stage. During stage 1, the surgeons are mainly focused on transferring the flap and creating the mound. During stage 2, the surgeon will create the nipple, lift and even out your breasts, and do any necessary nips and tucks. The opposite breast is made to match by augmentation, reduction, or lifting. Stage 2 is a much easier surgery than stage 1.
Final Stage (after second surgery has healed) - This is the stage where the finishing touches are done; the tattooing the ares around the nipple, to create the look of an areola.
I will probably have this surgery at the end of September. This surgery will put me out of commission for a good while. Five days in the hospital, come home with drains & one month until I can drive! I will be going to my daughter Monica's home to recuperate as I did after my mastectomy last August.
First surgery - The tummy flap will be transferred to the chest and stitched in to create the mound. This is why there is an eliptical shaped scar, in those instances. You will end up with 2-3 drains, a couple of which will generally be removed within a week.
Second surgery (after first surgery has healed) - This is the "tweaking" stage. During stage 1, the surgeons are mainly focused on transferring the flap and creating the mound. During stage 2, the surgeon will create the nipple, lift and even out your breasts, and do any necessary nips and tucks. The opposite breast is made to match by augmentation, reduction, or lifting. Stage 2 is a much easier surgery than stage 1.
Final Stage (after second surgery has healed) - This is the stage where the finishing touches are done; the tattooing the ares around the nipple, to create the look of an areola.
I will probably have this surgery at the end of September. This surgery will put me out of commission for a good while. Five days in the hospital, come home with drains & one month until I can drive! I will be going to my daughter Monica's home to recuperate as I did after my mastectomy last August.
