DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Hampton, VA

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction in Hampton, VA

Advanced, natural breast reconstruction for women throughout Hampton, Phoebus, Coliseum Central, Buckroe Beach, and the greater Peninsula.

Women in Hampton deserve access to the safest, most natural, and most advanced breast reconstruction options available — without needing to travel outside Hampton Roads. CABR proudly provides true microsurgical DIEP flap reconstruction for patients in Hampton and across the Peninsula.

We are the only dedicated DIEP microsurgery team serving Hampton Roads, bringing advanced, long-lasting reconstruction close to home.

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DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

What Is DIEP Flap Reconstruction?

The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap) is the most modern form of natural breast reconstruction available. It uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen — without removing abdominal muscle — to rebuild a soft, warm, natural breast after mastectomy.

Benefits for Hampton Patients:

  • Natural look and feel
  • No implants or device replacements
  • Best outcomes in radiated tissue
  • Long-term durability
  • No risk of implant rupture
  • Lower complication rates
  • Flatter, smoother abdominal contour

Unlike implant reconstruction, which often requires multiple future surgeries, DIEP flap reconstruction is typically a permanent solution

Why Hampton Women Choose CABR for DIEP Reconstruction

1. The Only Dedicated DIEP Providers in Hampton Roads

Many plastic surgeons in Hampton offer breast reconstruction but do not perform DIEP flap surgery. CABR’s surgeons are fellowship-trained in microsurgery, bringing specialized expertise that is not available in most general plastic surgery practices.

2. Expertise in Complex and Radiated Cases

CABR treats many patients who:

  • Had implants and are unhappy
  • Experienced capsular contracture
  • Had radiation that complicated healing
  • Need revision or secondary reconstruction
  • Were told “you are not a candidate” elsewhere

Most of these women are candidates for DIEP when evaluated by a microsurgeon.

3. Personalized, Patient-Centered Care

Our care model includes:

  • Immediate reconstruction at the time of mastectomy
  • Delayed reconstruction months or years later
  • Implant-to-DIEP conversions
  • Symmetry and refinement procedures
  • Long-term follow-up

4. No Need to Travel Outside the Area

Many women in Hampton assume they must travel to academic institutions like Duke, UNC, or Johns Hopkins for complex DIEP reconstruction.
CABR offers this advanced care right here in Hampton Roads.

Who Is a Candidate for DIEP Flap Reconstruction in Hampton?

You may be a strong candidate if you:

  • Want natural reconstruction instead of implants
  • Have enough tissue in the lower abdomen
  • Had or will have radiation
  • Experienced implant hardness, pain, or asymmetry
  • Prefer long-term results without ongoing maintenance
  • Want soft, warm breasts that feel like your own tissue

Even if you’ve been told you aren’t a candidate, we encourage you to seek a second opinion from a microsurgeon. Many Hampton patients gain new options once properly evaluated

DIEP Flap vs. Implant Reconstruction for Hampton Patients

DIEP Flap

Uses your own tissue

Permanent solution

Best after radiation

No capsular contracture

Natural feel and movement

Improves abdominal contour

 

Implant

Synthetic device

Requires replacement every 10–15 years

High failure rates with radiation

Contracture is common

Can feel firm or unnatural

Does not alter the abdomen

 

 

Women who want the most reliable, natural, and long-lasting reconstruction often choose DIEP.

Implant-to-DIEP Conversion for Hampton Residents

Many Hampton women come to CABR seeking help after implant-based reconstruction has failed or become uncomfortable.

Common reasons for conversion include:

  • Capsular contracture (tight, painful scar tissue)
  • Implant rupture or leakage
  • Asymmetry or implant shifting
  • Rippling or visible edges
  • Chronic discomfort
  • Unnatural appearance
  • Radiation complications
  • Multiple revision surgeries

A DIEP flap offers a permanent, natural solution free from implant problems.

CABR specializes in implant removal + DIEP reconstruction, often in the same surgery.

Your DIEP Reconstruction Process in Hampton

1. Consultation & Imaging

We evaluate medical history, anatomy, prior surgeries, radiation status, and goals. Imaging may be used to map blood vessels.

2. Personalized Surgical Planning

You’ll receive a clear plan for immediate or delayed reconstruction, symmetry goals, and recovery.

3. DIEP Microsurgical Procedure

Tissue from the lower abdomen is transplanted to the chest and connected via microsurgery while preserving abdominal muscles.

4. Hospital Recovery: 2–4 Days

Flap monitoring ensures tissue health and optimal healing.

5. Home Recovery: 6–8 Weeks

Most women return to normal daily activities within this timeframe.

6. Optional Refinements

Some patients choose fat grafting, symmetry procedures, or nipple reconstruction to finalize results.

Why DIEP Is an Excellent Choice for Hampton Patients Receiving Cancer Care

Many women in Hampton receive mastectomy or radiation through centers such as:

Sentara CarePlex Hospital

Riverside Cancer Care

Hampton VA Medical Center

Radiation can significantly reduce the success of implant reconstruction, making autologous reconstruction like DIEP the safest long-term option.

CABR coordinates closely with oncology teams across the Peninsula to time reconstruction appropriately.

Serving All Areas of Hampton, VA

We care for patients throughout:

Phoebus

Buckroe Beach

Fox Hill

Wythe

Northampton

Coliseum Central

Hampton Roads Center

Aberdeen Gardens

Mercury Boulevard corridor

Downtown Hampton

Southampton

Langley AFB families

Whether you’re near Fort Monroe, Langley, or downtown, advanced breast reconstruction is available close to home.

Schedule a Consultation at North Beach Plastic Surgery

You deserve reconstruction that helps you feel whole again — naturally, confidently, and safely.

If you live in Hampton and are considering breast reconstruction, DIEP flap surgery may be the best option for long-term comfort and results.

Our fellowship-trained microsurgical team is here to guide you.

Book Your Consultation

Make An Appointment

Reach out to our office today using this form, or give us a call to schedule your consultation. We’re excited to partner with you on your healing journey. 

Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday
Friday

There aren't enough good words to describe Dr. Jablonka. He's the absolute best. He's kind, caring, and talented. I came to him broken after my double mastectomy reconstruction was a bust. He put me back together. Brought back my self-esteem. Gave me my life back. Love, love, love him and his amazing support staff.

V. Frey

Dr. Jablonka is hands down the absolute best doctor I’ve ever had. He is caring, compassionate and really takes his time with his patients. I had complicated breast reconstruction surgery after a double mastectomy. And of course I had complications while recuperating. So it required a couple more surgeries. Dr. Jablonka did an amazing job and was right by my side the entire time. He is a very skilled plastic surgeon. I highly, highly recommend. I give him 10 stars out of 5!!!

L. Alt

Dr. Jablonka is an amazing surgeon. During my consultation for DIEP I knew within minutes that he was the surgeon for me. Not only did he have all the education and experience he was also very easy to talk to and took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure and answer all of my questions. Listening to him explain the DIEP flap procedure I instantly knew that not only was this his profession, but truly his passion. I am now almost 3 months post-op and so happy with my results. My breasts look natural and they are made with my tissue. I am beyond grateful to Dr. Jablonka and his incredible team for making one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done so much easier. If you have to have breast reconstruction for preventative reasons or because of a breast cancer diagnosis I highly recommend Dr. Jablonka.

T. Walker

Dr Jablonka is a phenomenal surgeon and he truly cares for his patients. I had a breast reconstruction with DIEP flap post prophylactic double mastectomy from 12 years prior. He removed the old implants using my own fat and placing them above the pectoral muscle not under like before. The look and the feel is so natural. I don’t have that constant tightness and hardness in my breasts. I feel and look normal again. He has been very kind throughout the process. He explained everything patiently every time. His staff Elizabeth and his nurse Stephanie were always there for me as well helping every step of the way. The front desk receptionist (I can’t recall her name) and every one else there that I came in contact with was kind polite and attentive. Everybody at the office took great care of me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

S. Leitner

Being diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 was H.A.R.D. Having a double mastectomy burned even more. Losing one expander and being flat for months was the icing on the cake. Then I was referred to Dr. Jablonka as a DIEP Flap candidate. I knew from the first time I met Dr. Jablonka that he was amazing. He was very thorough and took all the time in the world to explain to myself and to my husband what the process would be and answered all of our questions. His staff is top notch and just as sweet as they come. There are no words to adequately express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Jablonka and his team for giving me confidence back and making me a proud survivor!

J. Weeks

Book Your Consultation

Make An Appointment

Reach out to our office today using this form, or give us a call to schedule your consultation. We’re excited to partner with you on your healing journey. 

Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday
Friday

There aren't enough good words to describe Dr. Jablonka. He's the absolute best. He's kind, caring, and talented. I came to him broken after my double mastectomy reconstruction was a bust. He put me back together. Brought back my self-esteem. Gave me my life back. Love, love, love him and his amazing support staff.

V. Frey

Dr. Jablonka is hands down the absolute best doctor I’ve ever had. He is caring, compassionate and really takes his time with his patients. I had complicated breast reconstruction surgery after a double mastectomy. And of course I had complications while recuperating. So it required a couple more surgeries. Dr. Jablonka did an amazing job and was right by my side the entire time. He is a very skilled plastic surgeon. I highly, highly recommend. I give him 10 stars out of 5!!!

L. Alt

Dr. Jablonka is an amazing surgeon. During my consultation for DIEP I knew within minutes that he was the surgeon for me. Not only did he have all the education and experience he was also very easy to talk to and took the time to thoroughly explain the procedure and answer all of my questions. Listening to him explain the DIEP flap procedure I instantly knew that not only was this his profession, but truly his passion. I am now almost 3 months post-op and so happy with my results. My breasts look natural and they are made with my tissue. I am beyond grateful to Dr. Jablonka and his incredible team for making one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done so much easier. If you have to have breast reconstruction for preventative reasons or because of a breast cancer diagnosis I highly recommend Dr. Jablonka.

T. Walker

Dr Jablonka is a phenomenal surgeon and he truly cares for his patients. I had a breast reconstruction with DIEP flap post prophylactic double mastectomy from 12 years prior. He removed the old implants using my own fat and placing them above the pectoral muscle not under like before. The look and the feel is so natural. I don’t have that constant tightness and hardness in my breasts. I feel and look normal again. He has been very kind throughout the process. He explained everything patiently every time. His staff Elizabeth and his nurse Stephanie were always there for me as well helping every step of the way. The front desk receptionist (I can’t recall her name) and every one else there that I came in contact with was kind polite and attentive. Everybody at the office took great care of me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

S. Leitner

Being diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 was H.A.R.D. Having a double mastectomy burned even more. Losing one expander and being flat for months was the icing on the cake. Then I was referred to Dr. Jablonka as a DIEP Flap candidate. I knew from the first time I met Dr. Jablonka that he was amazing. He was very thorough and took all the time in the world to explain to myself and to my husband what the process would be and answered all of our questions. His staff is top notch and just as sweet as they come. There are no words to adequately express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Jablonka and his team for giving me confidence back and making me a proud survivor!

J. Weeks