Reconstructive breast surgery

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Reconstructive breast surgery

Reconstructive breast surgery restores the breast's appearance after mastectomy. Your surgeon will rebuild the shape of your breast using artificial implants or tissue from other parts of your body (autologous tissue reconstruction). This can be done at the same time as the mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) but is most often done at a later date (delayed reconstruction). The nipple and areola may also be recreated by your surgeon during breast reconstruction. Reconstructive breast surgery does not treat breast cancer.

Discuss reconstructive breast surgery with your doctor. Which type of procedure you decide on depends on:

Your personal preferences.
The size and shape of your breasts.
Details about your breast cancer.
How much skin was removed during surgery.
Whether you have had previous radiation therapy to the breast.
Whether radiation therapy will be used after surgery.

Credits

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Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Cynthia Tank
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Updated	August 31, 2007

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Last updated:	August 31, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
Editors:	Cynthia Tank, Pat Truman, MATC

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