Breast Reconstruction Specialist in New York Boasts a 99.5% Success Rate

    GREAT NECK, NY, September 14, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Keller has garnered national recognition for his 99.5% success rate when performing Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap surgeries during breast reconstruction. With over 1,200 DIEP surgeries completed and more than 18 years of experience, Dr. Keller is considered a pioneer in this innovative surgical technique.

"The DIEP flap procedure is a great advancement for many women seeking autologous breast reconstruction after a mastectomy," Dr. Keller says. "Unlike more traditional approaches, such as the Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap procedure, which removes some of the abdominal muscle, the DIEP technique spares the muscle - resulting in a faster recovery with less chance for complications such as abdominal hernia."

According to Dr. Keller, DIEP flap surgery typically uses skin and tissue from the lower abdomen to recreate a natural, living breast mound. The technically precise procedure can be difficult for many surgeons, even those trained in microsurgery, because it requires careful removal of specific blood vessels (called perforating vessels) in order to maintain blood supply to the new breast. Due to the intricacy involved in the DIEP flap procedure, operating time is typically longer than TRAM flap procedures, but the recovery is much quicker (most patients are able to leave the hospital within just a few days). When DIEP flap surgery is performed correctly, Dr. Keller says that the reconstructed breast will move like the natural breast.

"Unlike implant reconstruction, the DIEP flap procedure offers women the advantage of a fully live, natural breast that will adjust with weight fluctuations," Dr. Keller explains. "Plus, because the surgery relocates excess abdominal tissue to the breast, many women experience a flatter, tighter abdomen after surgery - similar to a tummy tuck."

Although the DIEP flap procedure offers many benefits, Dr. Keller notes that the technique is not suitable for everyone. He mentions that thin women are often not good candidates for the DIEP procedure because they lack adequate abdominal tissue to create the new breast. Dr. Keller recommends that women considering this procedure seek a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in the DIEP flap technique. This specialist can evaluate them to determine if they would benefit from the surgery.

"There are many options available to women with breast cancer considering reconstruction," Dr. Keller says. "An experienced surgeon can properly assess your health and help you prioritize your goals in order to determine the most effective mode of treatment."

Dr. Keller was the first plastic surgeon to perform DIEP flap surgery in New York and has assembled a qualified team of experienced professionals to ensure his patients receive the highest level of care. His skills in performing breast reconstruction surgery and knowledge of different techniques have been highlighted in several magazines and newspapers, including Mamm Magazine, and he has received honorary recognition by the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Alex Keller (www.breastflap.com) is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed more than 1,200 DIEP flap breast reconstructions with a success rate of better than 99.5%. The breast reconstruction surgery practice he founded is located just minutes from New York City and is conveniently accessible for women throughout the New York metro area. Dr. Keller received his M.D. from New York University Medical School and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at New York University Medical Center. He has been recognized as one of "America's Best Doctors" by his peers and is a frequent contributor to books and medical journals.

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