Am I a candidate for a DIEP flap?

Patients always call asking me if they are a candidate for a DIEP flap. There are not many things that are absolute exclusions. To determine if you are a candidate, you need to come in for a consult. Even if you are overweight or have had previous abdominal surgeries, you may still be a candidate. Not all abdominal surgeries disrupt the Deep epigastric inferior perforators which make up the DIEP flap. Never assume that you cannot have one, make a consult appointment first. Your doctor will determine if you have enough belly tissue available to make an adequate breast reconstruction, and will be able to go over the probable size with you at the time of your visit.