What to Expect After DIEP Flap Surgery

If you're considering or scheduled for a DIEP breast reconstruction, this video is for you. I’m Dr. Lauren Willoughby, a Canadian plastic surgeon practicing in Oakville, Ontario. DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap reconstruction uses your own abdominal tissue to recreate a breast after mastectomy—offering natural results and long-term benefits, especially for patients undergoing radiation or wanting to match a natural breast. In this video, I’ll walk you through: 🔹 What a DIEP flap surgery is and how it works 🔹 Why your surgeon may recommend it over implants 🔹 How the tissue is transferred and connected using microsurgery 🔹 Hospital stay, post-op monitoring, and drain care 🔹 Common risks like seroma and how garments help 🔹 Compression bras and abdominal binders: how long you wear them 🔹 A realistic timeline for recovery and when you can return to walking, exercise, and core activity 🔹 What to expect at 1 month, 3 months, and beyond This surgery typically takes 5–12 hours and includes a 2-night hospital stay with close monitoring in the first 48 hours. We focus on minimizing complications and guiding you back to full activity—with the goal of restoring not just your body, but also your confidence. 💬 If you have any questions, comment below—we're here to support you. 👉 Subscribe for more evidence-based plastic surgery guidance, reconstruction insights, and patient-focused care. #DIEPflap #BreastReconstruction #PlasticSurgeryRecovery #DrLaurenWilloughby #PostMastectomy #Microsurgery #BreastCancerRecovery #NaturalBreastReconstruction #ReconstructiveSurgery #AbdominalFlapSurgery #CompressionBra #AbdominalBinder #Seroma #PlasticSurgeryCanada #SurgicalRecovery #BreastCancerSupport #PatientEducation #SurgeryRecoveryTips #DIEPrecovery #BreastCancerAwareness #MastectomySupport #PlasticSurgeonCanada #OakvillePlasticSurgery #HealingAfterMastectomy #PostOpCare #NaturalResults #BodyConfidence #BreastSurgeryJourney #MicrosurgicalReconstruction #WomensHealth