What is breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgical way of creating a new breast. It is often done after someone has a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast) because of breast cancer.

Why get breast reconstruction?

The loss of a breast can be emotionally overwhelming. It's understandable why so many women choose to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. Sometimes, this can be done at the same time as a mastectomy. If you require radiation treatment, breast reconstruction is usually delayed for several weeks or months.

Some women prefer not to have breast construction. They may choose to wear an artificial breast (called a "prosthesis") made of foam or silicone gel that slips on and off.

How is a breast rebuilt?

There are several ways that a breast is rebuilt. Sometimes a section of your skin, fat and muscle can be used to create a new breast. This is called a tissue flap. The surgeon takes a flap of your tissue from your belly, back, or buttocks, and moves it to your chest to create a breast.

Here are several types of tissue flaps:

• TRAM flap: from your belly.
• Latissimus dorsi flap: from your back.
• DIEP flap: from your belly.
• Gluteal free flap: from your buttocks.

Some people may be too thin for a tissue flap, so implants made of silicone gel or saline (saltwater) may be used. Tissue expanders are special balloon implants used to stretch your skin.

You might also have a combination of a tissue flap and an implant.

How long does the procedure take?

The length of time varies depending on the type of surgery. Some operations may take a few hours, while others may be much longer. You may even need several surgeries over several weeks or months.

Barring any major problems, most patients go home after a few days. It usually takes several weeks to fully recover.

What are the risks?

The operation is fairly low risk, so major problems are rare. Bleeding and infection are possible at the incision. The risk of injury to other organs is very small. Other risks, including death, are very rare.

How will I feel after surgery?

The skin around your new breast will not feel normal. It may even be numb. You will have several scars after surgery, and some of them may be big.

Some people need several different operations to complete the process. Implants can leak and cause problems.

Breast reconstruction is a very personal decision that should be made with your doctor and your loved ones.

Related Articles Who Gets Breast Cancer?

External Sources American Cancer Society American Society of Plastic Surgeons Breastcancer.org National Institutes of Health (NIH)

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.