Surgical Procedures for Women
Breast Reconstruction - page 4 |
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Immediate or delayed reconstruction with breast cancer
Immediate reconstruction is reconstructive surgery that is done at the same time as the mastectomy when the entire breast is removed. Immediate reconstruction means that the chest tissues are undamaged by radiotherapy or scarring. Also, immediate reconstruction means one less operation.
Delayed reconstruction is reconstructive surgery that is undertaken at a later time and may be performed several years after initial breast cancer surgery. For some women, this may be advised if radiotherapy is to follow mastectomy. This is because radiotherapy following breast reconstruction may increase complications after surgery.
Decisions about reconstructive surgery will depend on many personal factors such as:
• Your overall health
• The stage of your breast cancer
• The size of your natural breast
• The amount of tissue available
• Your desire to match the appearance of the opposite breast
• Your desire for bilateral (both sides) reconstructive surgery
• The type of procedure
• The size of implant or reconstructed breast
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