Breast reconstruction is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy or be delayed until a later date. 

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Although breast reconstruction can rebuild your breast, the results are highly variable:

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• A reconstructed breast will not have the same sensation and feel as the breast it replaces.

• Visible incision lines will always be present on the breast, whether from reconstruction or mastectomy.

• Certain surgical techniques will leave incision lines at the donor site, commonly located in less exposed areas of the body such as the back, abdomen or buttocks.

 

A note about symmetry: If only one breast is affected, it alone may be reconstructed. In addition, a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation may be recommended for the opposite breast to improve symmetry of the size and position of both breasts.

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Breast reconstruction generally falls into two categories: implant based reconstruction or flap reconstruction.

 

• Implant reconstruction relies on breast implants to help form a new breast mound.

• Flap reconstruction uses the patient’s own tissue from another part of the body to form a new breast.

 

There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing which option is best:

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• Type of mastectomy

• Cancer treatments

• Patient’s body type