Before and after left DIEP flap delayed breast reconstruction and balancing right breast reduction and lift in a 58-year-old breast cancer survivor with chronic lymphedema of her left arm due to aggressive axillary lymph node removal and postoperative radiation therapy.
Following her non-skin sparing mastectomy three years ago, she was exasperated by her external prosthesis. She wanted to able to swim and have symmetry in a bathing suit and to exercise without needing to strap her “chicken cutlet” down.
A DIEP flap reconstructed her left breast, creating a natural looking breast mound. At the same procedure, a right breast reduction and lift created better symmetry and her chemotherapy port was removed. Six months later, she had nipple and areola reconstruction using the local flap technique and medical tattoo.
Follow up photos are shown one year after her DIEP flap and six months after nipple-areolar reconstruction. As a side benefit, her lymphedema improved and she no longer needed to wear her compression sleeve, likely thanks to increased drainage through the venous system and lymphatics within the DIEP flap on her chest.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
