Better to do reconstruction at same time as mastectomy, or better to wait?

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13 answers to “Better to do reconstruction at same...”

A: Immediate reconstruction for early disease

By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello, If you have early disease without the perceived need for chemotherapy or radiation, then immediate reconstruction is probably best. Skin sparing mastectomy leads to more tissue available for reconstruction and this is particularly important if an implant-based reconstruction is planned. If you have a... more

A: Timing of breast reconstruction depends on your particular situation

By David A. Robinson, MD - Munster Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Breast reconstruction timing depends on your specific situation

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Teresa, There is not one answer for this question. It really depends on your specific situation and would be best be answered by your breast surgeon. Factors which effect the answer include your stage of cancer, need for radiation or other treatment, skin envelope, etc. Good luck with your surgery.

A: Indications for timing of breast reconstruction vary on a case to case basis.

By James C. Grotting, MD - Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Ultimately, the decision whether to undergo immediate or delayed breast recosntruction depends on patient preference. Certain factors, such as advanced tumor stage and the need for radiation therapy, tend to favor delayed reconstruction to optimize oncologic and aesthetic outcomes. There is... more

A: Immediate is good, but delayed may be better for you

By Sutton Graham II, MD - Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Teresa: I can only give you some general answers and suggest you speak with your breast surgeon (surgical oncologist), plastic & reconstructive surgeon, medical and possibly radiation oncologists. I am sorry that you are facing these challenges and wish you the best. There are many factors that... more

A: Better to have it done at the same time

By Kamran Khoobehi, MD - New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

It is better to have reconstruction at the same time. If you will need radiation therapy you may get a better result if you delay reconstruction especially for the autologus breast recconstruction. The main reason for the combine procedure is to prevent scaring that willl happen with the 2 stage... more

A: Generally, plastic surgeons and patients prefer to do the reconstruction at the same time

By Lisa B. Cassileth, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

The benefits of having the recontruction at the same time are a better cosmetic result (the majority of the time) and an overall happier patient. Multiple studies have shown that patients who have the reconstruction done at the same time experience less depression and have greater satisfaction, as they always... more

A: You and your surgeon will have to decide

By Michael S. Beckenstein, MD - Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Immediate breast reconstruction (at the time of mastectomy) has several advantages; it saves a surgery, the aesthetic results are better, there are psychologic advantages as well. Some complications, wound healing and infection rates are slightly higher with immediate reconstruction. There are times... more

A: Either approach can work well

By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Teresa, This is a great question, and I imagine you will see lots of different answers to it. Some plastic surgeons will only perform a delayed reconstruction (postponed until after all of your breast cancer treatments are complete) while others offer immediate reconstruction to their patients. In... more

A: Many factors to take into consideration

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

In instances where the outcome of your biopsy or lumpectomy or mastectomy procedure may alter the course of your post-operative adjuvant (chemotherapy or radiation therapy) it may be wise to delay. In instances in which the survival of the skin flaps may be questionable (diabetes, smoking, multiple precvious... more

More answers to Better to do reconstruction at same time as mastectomy, or better to wait?
New York City - Breast reconstruction options
Orange County - Immediate is better if no radiation
Seattle - An excellent and complex question