DIEP Program
An education and rehabilitation program for those who have undergone or are considering a DIEP Flap Reconstruction.
Welcome to The DIEP Program
Recovery from DIEP flap reconstruction is significant — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Each woman’s experience is different, but the same themes come up again and again: uncertainty about what’s normal, fear of doing the wrong thing, and a gap between being “medically cleared” and feeling truly functional.
The DIEP Program was created to help guide, educate, and reassure you through the entire DIEP process — from deciding on surgery and preparing for hospital, through early recovery, and all the way to long-term rehabilitation.
Introduction Video
Our Why
We built this program because we repeatedly saw women:
Feel alone in the early stages and unsure where to turn for guidance
Receive exercise advice that focused mainly on shoulder range of motion and walking, with little support for abdominal recovery, posture, and whole-body function
Develop preventable issues such as frozen shoulder, shoulder tendinopathies, ongoing pain, and persistent postural strain
Our goal is to help you regain:
Full shoulder range of motion
Strong, upright posture and confident movement
Whole-body strength, including safe, progressive abdominal and trunk rehabilitation
We want to teach you what to watch for, and how to reduce the risk of longer-term limitations such as:
Cording
Lymphoedema
Shoulder tendinopathies
Ongoing muscle and joint pain
Recovery is easier when you feel understood. The program fosters connection by:
Sharing real-life recovery experiences and practical tips
Offering an online support community
Bringing women together in person (tri-annually) where possible
What is a DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
In a DIEP flap procedure, tissue from the lower abdomen (tummy) is used to reconstruct the breast shape. The abdominal muscle is left in place. The blood vessels are brought with the abdominal tissue and reconnected to the chest wall.
Disclaimer: Every reconstruction is unique. Depending on individual circumstances, some people will have one breast reconstructed, while others may have reconstruction on both sides.
DIEP Flap Reconstruction Timeline
Disclaimer: The timeline provided is a general guide only. Recovery after DIEP flap reconstruction varies for every woman and is influenced by factors such as surgical complexity, prior treatments, overall health, and individual healing capacity. Recovery is rarely linear, and temporary setbacks like fatigue, stiffness, or swelling are common. This program prioritises safe, gradual progression to support lasting, long-term recovery.
