DIEP Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction

New York Aims to Make Breast Reconstruction Info More Readily Available

We provide a variety of reconstructive breast procedures at our practice, but the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap (also known as the DIEP Flap) reconstruction is quickly becoming the gold standard among post-mastectomy breast reconstruction procedures. As breast cancer survivorship continues to increase, so too does the array of reconstructive options available to women after breast cancer treatment. However, despite the development of more advanced, muscle-sparing, microsurgical techniques like the, Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap, many women are still being left in the dark when it comes to obtaining the necessary information about these newer autologous reconstruction procedures.

Let’s be honest, no one is ever prepared to hear their doctor say the words "You have breast cancer". Once uttered, the force behind these words can turn even the bravest woman’s life upside down. Suddenly, they’re thrust into a disorienting world of unfamiliar terms and complicated decisions. While breast cancer can take a debilitating physical toll on its sufferers, the emotional trials a woman experiences after being diagnosed can be just as difficult. The moment she hears the words breast cancer, her mind is instantly inundated with a flood of emotions – fear, confusion, disbelief and anger all rush over her at once and countless questions about the future arise in her mind, most of which simply cannot be answered at that time, making the whole situation all the more frustrating.

When she leaves the doctor’s office, she knows that much lay before her. Researching physicians, medical facilities, treatment options and making arrangements with work, family and friends. The chief concern is of course to eradicate the cancer first, however, during this time, decisions are often being made rapid-fire and subjects like breast reconstruction and the DIEP Flap are pushed to the bottom of the stack, often being deemed a secondary issue in the face of eliminating the cancer.

Fortunately, as advances in screening and treatments have been made over the past few decades, more and more US women are surviving breast cancer each year. As survivorship has increased, the need for greater focus on post-mastectomy breast reconstruction has become evident. Yet, this need for more transparency in the health care industry to shed light on breast reconstruction options for breast cancer survivors is simply not being reflected the way it needs to be. In fact, according to recent statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons , nearly 70% of women who are eligible for the procedure are still not being informed of the reconstructive options available to them, and most have never even heard of the DIEP Flap procedure. A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization found that 43% of women surveyed do not receive information about breast reconstruction options after they are diagnosed, even though procedures like the Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap are covered by medical insurance under a 1998 federal law.

After diagnosis, while greater attention needs to be paid to treatment and curing of the disease of course, this doesn’t mean that the matter of breast reconstruction should be ignored though. While many health professionals may absent-mindedly deem this issue to be marginal in comparison to the greater battle, being well informed of breast reconstruction options early on is actually quite integral on an emotional level. Knowing this essential information can have a significant impact on a patient’s sense of optimism and hope for the future as she journeys through breast cancer treatment. Opening up discussion about the options for breast reconstruction early on can actually help patients to feel more in control of their situation and comfortable with what’s going on around them. It helps them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In the end, she may decide that it’s not for her, but the important part is that she knows the option is available to her, and with this knowledge can make a personal and informed decision.

A cancer diagnosis can certainly be devastating and demoralizing news, and this is why it is enormously important that breast cancer patients are in the know early on about breast reconstruction techniques, like the DIEP Flap procedure. Including this component in the plan of action for beating breast cancer helps reassure the patient that her life can and will return to normalcy after all is said and done. Fortunately, here in New York, great strides are being taken to ensure that more women are empowered to include this element in their overall treatment strategy. Unsettled by the high number of minority, economically disadvantaged and less-educated New York breast cancer patients not seeking breast reconstruction after mastectomy, Governor David A. Paterson recently signed into law a bill that aims to reverse this trend.

"A disproportionate number of women who are at a socioeconomic disadvantage do not get breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy for one of several reasons. Either they are unaware of it as an option, they do not know it is covered by Medicaid and Medicare insurance programs, they do not know where to gain access to the procedures, or it is never mentioned to them by their other doctors," said reconstructive surgeon Evan Garfein, MD.

We are very pleased to see more assertive action steps being taken to shed more light on breast reconstruction techniques like the DIEP Flap procedure, which we perform frequently here in our New York clinic frequently. A breast cancer diagnosis is a scary time in an individual’s life regardless, but women can avoid getting overwhelmed in a sea of questions and anxiety by beginning the dialoged early on about this important topic.

ASK ABOUT OUR DIMPLE SURGERY

Click here to see us in the news.

Dr. Robert Goldstein Board Certified Plastic Surgeon View Profile Call (718)405-7500

Dr. Heather
A. Erhard Board Certified Plastic Surgeon View Profile Call (718)405-7500

VIDEO LIBRARY

Video 1 : Welcome
Video 2 : Introduction to Plastic Surgery
Video 3 : Cosmetic Plastic Surgery