Replacing implant breast reconstruction with DIEP flap reconstruction

Patients will sometimes ask, "Am I able to remove implants after reconstruction and replace them with my own abdominal tissue, or have a DIEP flap reconstruction?"  I would say depending on the patient's medical history and prior surgical history, most of the time this is an option.  There are several reasons that patients have regarding implant - to - autologous (your own tissue) reconstruction over time, and it remains an individual decision but a possibility!