Breast reconstruction can be performed as an immediate or delayed procedure. When the circumstances permit, Immediate breast reconstruction has several advantages over delayed reconstruction. Among these are, one less surgical procedure requiring anesthesia, the tissue is supple allowing for a potentially better cosmetic outcome, psychologically the patient goes to sleep with a breast and wakes up with one (or the beginning of one), there is one recovery for two procedures (mastectomy and reconstruction).
Circumstances that may dictate delayed recostruction include knowing you will need postoperative radiation before your mastectomy, patient indecision on whether she wants to proceed with breast reconstruction.
In general, when possible, immediate breast reconstruction is preferable for the reasons I have mentioned above.
