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.
Answer: Diep flap and abdominoplaty It is interesting that your surgeon wont discuss this issue with you. I am sure the information would make you more comfortable. Did he say he wont do it or he just wont discuss it? Removing the excess skin an fat in a diep flap will give you a improved abdominal contour. It will provide many of the changes you would expect from an abdominoplasty. Some women can get extra muscle tightening at the time of surgery.The surgery is complex. Perhaps the surgeon did not want to create aesthetic expectations that he could not be sure could be achieved safely during the complex surgery. Perhaps he wanted to keep the whole process focused on the important issue of reconstructing the breast.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Diep flap and abdominoplaty It is interesting that your surgeon wont discuss this issue with you. I am sure the information would make you more comfortable. Did he say he wont do it or he just wont discuss it? Removing the excess skin an fat in a diep flap will give you a improved abdominal contour. It will provide many of the changes you would expect from an abdominoplasty. Some women can get extra muscle tightening at the time of surgery.The surgery is complex. Perhaps the surgeon did not want to create aesthetic expectations that he could not be sure could be achieved safely during the complex surgery. Perhaps he wanted to keep the whole process focused on the important issue of reconstructing the breast.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Breast reconstruction Three basic forms of breast reconstruction exist. You can use your own tissue, implants or a combination of the previous two techniques. Your own tissue can be used in the form of the DIEP flap, PAP flap, SGAP flap or fat grafting. Implants can be done in one stage or two stage. Two stage reconstructions are started by placing expanders at the time of mastectomy. Once they expanders are placed they are able to be inflated as determined by wound healing. The final time consists of combining any of the above techniques. If you are interested in being seen in Austin please give us a call. I know this is a difficult time for you. The majority of my practice is devoted to reconstruction for women with breast cancer or who are BRCA+
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Breast reconstruction Three basic forms of breast reconstruction exist. You can use your own tissue, implants or a combination of the previous two techniques. Your own tissue can be used in the form of the DIEP flap, PAP flap, SGAP flap or fat grafting. Implants can be done in one stage or two stage. Two stage reconstructions are started by placing expanders at the time of mastectomy. Once they expanders are placed they are able to be inflated as determined by wound healing. The final time consists of combining any of the above techniques. If you are interested in being seen in Austin please give us a call. I know this is a difficult time for you. The majority of my practice is devoted to reconstruction for women with breast cancer or who are BRCA+
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April 14, 2010
Answer: 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!
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CONTACT NOW April 14, 2010
Answer: 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!
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April 14, 2010
Answer: 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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CONTACT NOW April 14, 2010
Answer: 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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March 20, 2017
Answer: Tummy tuck muscle tightening with DIEP flap procedure This is a good question that should be discussed with your surgeon prior to the procedure. As you know the goal of the DIEP procedure is to transfer the lower abdominal tissue, which is usually removed in a tummy tuck procedure, for breast reconstruction. An additional component of a tummy tuck is also tightening of the rectus muscles that may have been stretched apart, particularly in pregnancy (rectus diastasis). While this improves the abdominal controur, the tightening needs to be done judiciously, as it may cause increased pain. Therefore, it needs to be individualized based to the patient and the degree of diastasis. I perform diastasis repair on selected patients in a conservative fashion.
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March 20, 2017
Answer: Tummy tuck muscle tightening with DIEP flap procedure This is a good question that should be discussed with your surgeon prior to the procedure. As you know the goal of the DIEP procedure is to transfer the lower abdominal tissue, which is usually removed in a tummy tuck procedure, for breast reconstruction. An additional component of a tummy tuck is also tightening of the rectus muscles that may have been stretched apart, particularly in pregnancy (rectus diastasis). While this improves the abdominal controur, the tightening needs to be done judiciously, as it may cause increased pain. Therefore, it needs to be individualized based to the patient and the degree of diastasis. I perform diastasis repair on selected patients in a conservative fashion.
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