Ask The Doctor-Should I have DIEP after radiation?

lotus-1396617-1279x1138This week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: Should I have DIEP, after I had radation? I had it in 2013, and now I have non-invasive in same breast. My doctors are wanting to do this.

Answer: Thanks for the question. If you have already had radiation and are going to have a mastectomy, then DIEP breast reconstruction might be your best option. You do not want to have the DIEP breast treated with radiation. Make sure you ask your doctors if you may need radiation again after your mastectomy. Implants after radiation, in general, have higher complication rates and less favorable results.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!