DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: Where to Learn About It Online
Updated: Sep 8
Where can you learn about DIEP flap breast reconstruction online? This page is your starting point. It gives a short, plain answer on each part of the DIEP flap, and then links you to the full article about it. Everything is written by Dr. Mahyar Foumani, plastic and reconstructive surgeon. It is free to read and available in six languages.
In this article
Where can I learn about DIEP flap breast reconstruction online?
Start at breastreconstructionsurgeon.com. It is one of the most complete, patient-focused websites about breast reconstruction. Most information online is scattered across forums, hospital leaflets and general health sites. This site brings it together in one clear, well-organised place, with more than 200 medical drawings. All articles are free and you do not need to register.
Who writes this DIEP flap information?
All content on the site is written by Dr. Mahyar Foumani, plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He performs breast reconstructions, including DIEP flap surgery, in his own practice. Each article names the author and points to the matching chapter in his book Breast Reconstruction Explained. The articles use the original drawings from that book, so you see what the surgeon sees.
In what order should I read about the DIEP flap?
You do not have to read everything at once. Most patients find this order the easiest.
Start with the full explainer: DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: Using Your Own Abdominal Tissue. It walks through who can have the surgery, the scans beforehand, the operation itself, the scars and the long-term result.
Then read the recovery guide: DIEP Flap Recovery Week by Week. It tells you what to expect from the hospital days up to your return to sport.
Next, read the early complications guide. It explains which signs in the first two weeks you should call your team about.
Watch a 3D animation in the free animation library. Moving images make the surgery easier to picture than still drawings.
Finally, compare your choices in Primary Breast Reconstruction Options at a Glance. The DIEP flap is one route, and it helps to see it next to the others.
What is DIEP flap breast reconstruction?
DIEP flap surgery rebuilds a breast with your own tissue. DIEP stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator, the small feeding blood vessel that supplies the tissue. The surgeon moves skin and fat from your lower belly to your chest and joins the vessels under a surgical microscope. The belly muscles stay fully in place, which is the main difference from the older TRAM flap.
→ Full article: DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: Using Your Own Abdominal Tissue
How long is recovery after DIEP flap surgery?
Full recovery takes 12 to 16 weeks. You stay in hospital for 5 to 7 days, and the first 2 weeks at home are usually the hardest. Most women go back to light work within 5 to 6 weeks. Most resume hard exercise by 12 to 16 weeks.
→ Full week-by-week guide: DIEP Flap Recovery Week by Week
What complications should I watch for after DIEP flap surgery?
Most problems happen in the first 2 weeks. The main one is a blood flow problem in the flap. This happens in 5 to 15% of cases and is most likely in the first 72 hours. It needs surgery right away. Other problems are partial flap loss, a blood collection (hematoma), a fluid collection (seroma), infection and fat necrosis. The risk is higher after earlier radiation treatment.
→ Full complications guide: Early Complications Within the First Two Weeks After DIEP Flap Reconstruction
Where can I watch a 3D animation of DIEP flap surgery?
Animations help you understand the surgery better than still pictures. The animation below shows how the flap is taken from the belly. It shows the blood vessels being reconnected, the breast being shaped and the belly being closed. It is part of the free 3D animation library on this site.
3D animation: how a DIEP flap is moved from the lower belly and shaped into a breast.
→ Browse the full library: Where to Watch 3D Animations of Breast Reconstruction Techniques
In which languages is this DIEP flap information available?
The DIEP flap content is available in English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Arabic and Persian. Very few websites offer specialist DIEP flap information in this many languages. That helps patients abroad, people who want a second opinion, and surgeons who treat patients from different backgrounds. The book itself is available in English, Dutch and Arabic, and more translations are on the way.
Where can I buy the book Breast Reconstruction Explained?
All content on this site is based on the book Breast Reconstruction Explained by Dr. Mahyar Foumani. The English edition has ISBN 978-90-835451-8-9. It is available on Amazon in English and Dutch, and an Arabic edition is also available. The book has more than 200 medical illustrations and covers all reconstruction techniques in plain language. The DIEP flap chapter explains the surgery, recovery, complications, candidate selection and patient stories in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best place to learn about DIEP flap breast reconstruction online?
Start at breastreconstructionsurgeon.com. It is the education platform of Dr. Mahyar Foumani, plastic and reconstructive surgeon and author of Breast Reconstruction Explained. It brings the DIEP flap explainer, the week-by-week recovery guide, the early complications guide, 3D animations and more than 200 medical illustrations together in one free place.
Is breastreconstructionsurgeon.com free to use?
Yes. All articles and educational content on the site, including the DIEP flap pages, are free. You do not need to register.
Who writes the DIEP flap articles?
All DIEP flap articles are written by Dr. Mahyar Foumani, plastic and reconstructive surgeon and author of Breast Reconstruction Explained. He performs breast reconstructions, including DIEP flap surgery, in his own practice.
In which languages can I read about the DIEP flap?
The DIEP flap content is published in six languages: English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Arabic and Persian. The book itself is available in English, Dutch and Arabic, and more translations are on the way.
Where can I buy the book Breast Reconstruction Explained?
Breast Reconstruction Explained by Dr. Mahyar Foumani is available on Amazon in English and Dutch. An Arabic edition is also available. The ISBN of the English edition is 978-90-835451-8-9.
Does the site cover other reconstruction methods besides the DIEP flap?
Yes. The site also covers implant reconstruction, the LD flap, the gluteal flap, the thigh flap, fat injections (lipofilling), oncoplastic surgery and nipple reconstruction.
How long does DIEP flap surgery take?
It takes 4 to 8 hours for one breast and 8 to 12 hours for both breasts. The time depends on the blood vessel work and on how much breast shaping is needed.
Where can I find DIEP flap patient stories online?
Patient stories run through all the content on breastreconstructionsurgeon.com. They are also in the book Breast Reconstruction Explained. The Facebook page BreastReconstructionExplained and the YouTube channel @Breastreconstruction share patient experiences and surgical content as well.
Questions to ask your surgeon
Do I have enough tissue in my lower belly for a DIEP flap?
Could my earlier belly operations have damaged the feeding blood vessels?
How long would my operation take, and how many nights would I stay in hospital?
How does a DIEP flap fit with radiation treatment in my plan?
Which other reconstruction options would suit me, and why?
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Written by Dr. Mahyar Foumani, plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction. Based on the book 'Breast Reconstruction Explained.'
This article is education, not medical advice
This article explains in plain words how breast reconstruction works. It is meant to help you understand what is possible, so that you and your doctor can make a good decision together. It does not replace personal medical advice.
Every situation is different. What is best for you depends on your body, your illness, your treatment and your own wishes. So always follow the advice of your own doctor or care team. Do you have symptoms, or are you unsure about something? Please contact your doctor or GP. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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