Surgical Procedures for Women

Breast: Augmentation | Uplift | Reduction | Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction - page 2

Important factors to consider in deciding about breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction does not affect your ability to have other breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy and follow up after treatment is the same as if you have had a mastectomy only.

The difference between the reconstructed breast and the remaining breast can be seen when you are nude. A breast reconstruction will not be an exact match and will not be as sensitive to touch as the other breast.

Your body image and self-esteem may improve after your reconstructive surgery, but this is not always the case. Breast reconstruction is not a ‘cure for all ills’ and will not fix everything you were unhappy about before your surgery.
You may be disappointed with how your breast looks after surgery. You and those close to you must be realistic about what to expect from reconstruction.

It is important that you make your decision about having breast reconstruction only when you feel fully informed about the procedure. There are often many options to think about as you and Mr Nduka explore what is best for you. The reconstruction process may require one or more operations. You should discuss the benefits and risks of reconstruction with your doctors and breast care nurses before the date of surgery to give yourself plenty of time to make the best decision for you.

Breast reconstruction surgery takes longer than a simple mastectomy and is a major operation. This means your overall hospital stay may be longer than for a mastectomy alone.