Stacked DIEP Flap breast reconstruction is an outstanding option for patients requiring unilateral breast reconstruction (0ne side) and who may have limited amounts of tissue from the abdomen.

For women requiring one breast reconstruction (unilateral), sometimes it is advantageous to use both sides of the abdomen. In so doing it is necessary to take one blood vessel to supply each side of the abdomen. This gives the surgeon much Power and flexibility in creating an outstanding result because there is more autologous tissue (skin and fat) to work with. The two blood vessels are either plugged into one another or they are both plugged into the chest.

This procedure has been called the stacked DIEP. It is also called the bippedicled DIEP. This is because it uses to vascular pedicles blood vessels to supply both sides of the abdomen.

Most women with breast cancer have enough skin and fat in the stomach area (lower abdomen) to reconstruct one or two breasts. Even for patients who have had prior abdominal surgery, almost everyone is a candidate for this operation. The idea is to use extra skin and fat in the lower abdominal area, take this tissue along with the blood vessel that supplies it, and transplant it to the chest to make new, natural breast.

Usually, when a woman donates tissue from the abdomen, this has the same effect on the abdomen as a tummy tuck.

Natural tissue breast reconstruction has several benefits compared to other methods of breast reconstruction. Here are a few key benefits:

• It uses a woman’s own natural tissue, which means that it is less likely to be rejected by the body.
• It doesn’t require the use of implants, which can cause complications such as scarring, infection, and hardening of the breast tissue.
• It doesn’t sacrifice any muscle, which means that women can retain their natural shape and function.
• It can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy, which can save time and reduce the overall number of surgeries that a woman needs to undergo.
• It can help women feel more comfortable and confident in their own bodies, which can improve their quality of life.

Overall, natural tissue breast reconstruction can provide women with a more natural and safe option for restoring their breasts after a mastectomy.

Gradually, blood vessels and nerves grow into the transferred tissue.  Scars fade, and the end result is a breast reconstruction that looks and feels and behaves exactly like a normal breast. The only difference is that there is no breast tissue inside it, and therefore no risk of breast cancer in the transferred tissue.

The photographs in this section are of actual patients of Dr. Joshua Levine. They have undergone various types of autologous breast reconstruction (perforator free flaps), i.e. DIEP/SIEA, PAP, GAP, delayed, immediate, with nipple-sparing mastectomy, etc. Keep in mind that each patient is unique and results may vary. To view more before & after photos, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Rena H, had this to say about her experience with Dr. Levine: “Dr. Levine is an outstanding Doctor. He is a wonderful human being and a highly skilled surgeon. My results are nothing short of miraculous. There is no one like Doctor Levine. He is an artist and a true professional.”