Nervous about Breast Reconstruction with Mastectomy

There are advantages for immediate Breast Reconstruction and there are advantages to Delayed Breast Reconstruction. The ONLY argument in favor of Delayed Reconstruction is that it may be easier to spot a recurrent cancer ; You put it as " breast should be given time to heal and make sure that everything... more

Hi, The priority of all doctors is to treat your breast cancer; reconstruction always is a secondary concern.  That being said, in the vast majority of patients, immediate breast reconstruction not only is safe, but ultimately leads to better reconstructive results. For many patients. immediate... more

This is a tough question to answer in such a small space. I often spend 30 minutes to 1 hour with new patients regarding this very question. First, you want to know what type of tumor it is, how big, whether they suspect lymph node involvement, what type of post-op therapy you will need. All these are... more

Breast reconstruction can be immediate (at the same time as the mastectomy) or delayed (after a few weeks to months). The decision as to which one is better for a particular patient depends on a lot of factors one of them is surgeon preference. In my practice I now rarely perform immediate... more

Immediate breast reconstruction is an option for the majority of women getting a mastectomy. Keep in mind though, that breast reconstruction (even when considered immediate), often requires multiple steps to get it as symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing as possible. Delayed reconstruction is an option,... more

Debbie, Breast reconstruction is a personal decision and should be discussed thoroughly with your plastic surgeon. He/she can help you decide the timing and which procedure is best for you. All things being equal, I feel immediate breast reconstruction has several advantages vs. delayed including one less... more

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to have immediate breast reconstruction.  Immediate breast reconstruction is when the reconstruction is done at the time of mastectomy; in other words, there is no delay.  The reconstruction can be done using your own tissue or using a... more

Your unique situation would clearly require a consultation.  Breast reconstruction involves a variety of techniques and methods which are too detailed to discuss in this format. Important information to acquire during a consultation involves a long history to document: family history, future risk... more

This is a complex issue that has been bandied about fo over 20 years by my count.  Both ways have pluses and minuses. My personal opinion that it is safer to do a delayed reconstruction, but others may disagree. Remember, ablation of the cancer is the first priority, and you want to get that done ... more

The decision to perform immediate vs. delayed reconstruction depends on one important factor: whether or not you will have postoperative radiation therapy.  If you are considering a implant reconstruction, the rate of capsular contracture after radiation may be much higher than without radiation. ... more