Possible to Do Full Tummy Tuck While Doing Diep Flap Procedure? Doctor Answers, Tips
Tummy Tuck: Q&A
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Possible to Do Full Tummy Tuck While Doing Diep Flap Procedure?

I understand that the diep flap benefit of a real 'tummy tuck' is not covered by insurance. Is it reasonable to ask for the cost of a full tummy tuck (sewing together muscles, etc.) while the surgeon is performing a diep flap procedure? My surgeon seems very reluctant to even discuss outlying procedures such as abdomioplasty and liposuction, which I believe are both necessary to achieve the best final results. If I'm willing to pay for these procedures out of pocket, I don't know why my surgeon won't discuss them. Any insight appreciated.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by thesuiteshoppe in Utah
+1

Full Tummy Tuck with DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

A tummy tuck consists of removal of excess skin and fatty tissue, followed by tightening of the weakend rectus muscles. In my DIEP Flap patients, I frequently plicate the abdominal muscle, but do not recommend liposuction or an extremely tight abdominal closure if the reconstruction is being performed in the immediate setting of the mastectomy. Why? With breast cancer, your body is immunosuppressed. You are at a much higher likelihood of delayed... more
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Stages

For your own safety to ensure that the combined surgery is at unsafe length of time, you will be better off completing DIEP Flap surgery before planning and proceeding with the tummy tuck and liposuction. see video
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It is possible to do rectus plication with DIEP flap donor site closure for a full abdominoplasty result

When the DIEP flap (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap) is used for microsurgical breast reconstruction, usually a small split is made in the muscle fascia (thick layer of collagen over top of the rectus abdominis muscles) to dissect out the blood vessels used for transplantation of skin and fat from the tummy to the breast. Usually, the fascial split is simply closed, and the overlying anterior abdominal wall (sheet of skin and fat over the muscles of the trunk) is pulled... more

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+1

Combining cosmetic surgery with breast reconstruction

Hello - I see your point, but as someone who does DIEP flaps the procedure can take a very long time. Any added surgery may increase the time and stress of the case for the surgeons and staff. The best thing for your to do would be to get your DIEP flaps, recover, and then get liposuction and tightening of your abdominal muscles at a later date. This will allow your body to recover and allow your surgeon to fully concentrate on the cosmetic nature of your surgery. Good luck!... more
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Combining a Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction (DIEP flap) with Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

NOT a good idea. Doing to much surgery at one setting can cause very serious complications and even death. Please reconsider this action as too dangerous. From MIAMI Dr. B
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Combining a Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction (DIEP flap) with Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

For the benefit of the readers unfamiliar with Breast Reconstruction after mastectomy, a DIEP flap uses a removed (IE free) transverse segment of the lower tummy skin and fat (without using the underlying muscle like a TRAM flap) and builds the breast with it AFTER the artery and vein of that segment are joined under the microscope to either a chest or an arm pit artery and vein. In the best of hands, the operation takes several hours. Although the tummy muscles could be tightened through... more
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