"You would never know that I had a bilateral mastectomy or missing both my latissimus muscles unless I told you. I owe my life to Dr. Leif Rogers for

1. Will insurance cover the reconstruction?

All health insurance plans will cover breast reconstruction after breast cancer, however coverage offered by the various insurance companies and plans can vary greatly, depending on the specific plan and frequently, whether your doctor participates in the plan.

2. A DIEP flap is called a "free" flap breast microsurgery procedure. What is a "free" flap and how does microsurgery facilitate the success of a DIEP flap reconstruction?

A “free” flap denotes a specific technical aspect of the procedure, describing the complete disconnection of the tissue from the donor site and reattachment to the recipient site by reestablishing the blood supply to this tissue. Free flaps require the utilization of microsurgical techniques in order to reestablish the blood supply; the blood vessels in the flap are hand sewn to recipient vessels in the area being reconstructed.

3. How long after my Breast Reconstruction can I have Nipple Reconstruction done?

Nipple reconstruction is typically the final stage of breast reconstruction. This can happen as early as three months after the initial surgery, but frequently will not be performed for six months or more. The reconstructed breast must be fully healed, without residual swelling in order to accurately place the new nipple and areola with predictability.

4. Will my reconstructed nipple have feeling after the surgery?

The reconstructed nipple will not have normal sensation, and may be entirely insensate (numb). It is not an actual nipple, but simply an mound of skin created surgically to simulate the appearance of a nipple. Some patients do report some protective sensation months to years after the reconstruction of the nipple, but this is not typical.

5. What do I do if the color of my new nipple does not match the color of the other nipple?

Tattooing can be performed approximately a year after the nipple reconstruction. The color can change over the first year as healing continues. It is not wise to perform tattooing prior to stablization of the skin pigmentation.

More Questions and Answers, visit http://www.diep-breastreconstruction.com and http://www.leifrogersmd.com