Does a plastic surgery perform breast reconstruction?

The operation can rebuild breast shape after mastectomy or reshape the breast after tissue removal. Planning considers the cancer operation, whether radiotherapy may be needed, your health, previous surgery, available donor tissue and your preferences. Reconstruction is optional, and choosing a flat closure or an external breast form is also valid.

A plastic surgeon explains approaches using an implant, your own tissue, or a combination. Reconstruction may happen at the same operation as cancer surgery or at a later time. Some pathways involve further procedures to adjust shape, address symmetry or reconstruct the nipple area. The reconstructed breast may look and feel different from the breast before treatment, and sensation can change.

The surgeon also discusses scars, recovery, the possibility of implant-related problems, healing concerns and effects at any area where tissue is taken. The recommended approach may change if smoking, diabetes, earlier radiotherapy, planned treatment or other health issues raise healing risks. Reconstruction does not replace cancer follow-up.

Bring your treatment plan, medicine list and details of earlier chest or abdominal operations. Tell the surgeon about nicotine use, allergies, clotting problems and conditions that affect healing. Consider what matters most to you, such as avoiding an implant, limiting surgery at another body site, breast shape, recovery demands or timing around other cancer care.

Before surgery, confirm instructions for medicines, eating, washing and arrival. Arrange practical help for the early recovery period and ask how to manage dressings, drains, supportive garments, arm movement and sleeping position. Do not change prescribed medicines unless the surgical team gives specific instructions.

After reconstruction, contact the surgical team promptly for fever, worsening redness, increasing swelling, pus or unpleasant drainage, a wound opening, pain that is becoming harder to control, or an unexpected change in skin colour or temperature over the reconstructed area. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, fainting or a new painful swollen leg.

Ask which reconstruction choices fit your cancer treatment, why a particular timing is suggested and how each choice may affect the chest and any donor site. Clarify expected sensation, scars, future imaging, implant monitoring, likely restrictions and whom to call after discharge. Request enough time to consider alternatives if treatment timing allows.