Liposuction & DIEP

I will soon schedule my operation for a single mastectomy & reconstruction during the same surgery.  I have been diagnosed with DCIS.  I had a lumpectomy, radiation & chemotherapy 22 years ago and had saline implants put in 2 years ago.  I also had some liposuction done on my tummy at that time.  I want to have  DIEP reconstruction done, on my one breast, when I have this procedure done....is that possible? I still have a tummy, but am not overweight.  I want to make the right choice as it seems this is the least invasive of all the reconstruction options.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Jay04kay,  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. This is one of the main differences between the DIEP flap and the TRAM flap--the TRAM flap procedure removes muscle (along with fat, skin and blood vessels) and the DIEP procedure does not.  In general, you can still have DIEP if you've had abdominal surgery (hysterectomy, c-section, appendectomy, bowel resection, liposuction, tummy tuck).  Whether this would be appropriate in your specific situation a consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in this technique would be best regarding your specific situation.  

For additional information regarding this type of procedure there is a good description on the website www.breastcancer.org.  Type - DIEP flap -  into the search box to be directed to more information about the procedure.