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Patient Education

Breast Reconstruction: General Information

Related Conditions
Breast Cancer

Breast reconstruction is a personal choice. There is no one "best" reconstruction for every woman. Instead, each woman will have her own best reconstruction, the one that she, in consultation with her doctors and perhaps her loved ones, feels is best. The following information is offered to help you make an informed decision.

Please feel free to ask your care providers any questions you may have regarding any of these reconstruction methods. These recommendations are meant only as general information. It is not designed as a substitute for a thorough discussion of your own case with your caregivers.

Timing of Breast Reconstruction

For many years, it was felt that breast reconstruction should be delayed for some time, usually six to 12 months after the mastectomy. That way, any tumor that returned could be detected.

More recent information indicates that breast reconstruction has no effect on finding a tumor that comes back and has no effect on your life expectancy. Since the women who choose reconstruction often feel better about themselves after breast reconstruction and because the surgeon often can do a better job if reconstruction is done at the time of mastectomy, immediate reconstruction is often recommended.

An additional benefit of immediate reconstruction is that it decreases the need for additional reconstructive surgery to complete your breast reconstruction. Therefore, if you are planning to have reconstruction, we advise you to have immediate (at the same time), rather than delayed reconstruction.

What Is Involved?

The goal of breast reconstruction is to provide the most natural looking and feeling breast possible, with as little discomfort to you as possible. In addition, to have a good cosmetic outcome, both breasts should look the same; that is, they should be about the same size and shape.

The breast consists of a "breast mound" and the nipple. Both the breast mound and the nipple can be reconstructed, although this is usually done at two separate surgeries. Part of the discussion should include the benefits and risks of changing the size of your other breast to create a better match.

Continue reading

What to Remember When Considering Breast Reconstruction

  • In addition to considering the extent of surgery, it is important to consider the final reconstruction result.
  • The flap procedures (TRAM flap and latissimus dorsi flap) result in a more natural looking and feeling breast than the expander and implant procedures.
  • Not every surgery can be done in every woman for reasons that may be related to your tumor, medical condition or body shape.
  • Any of the reconstructive techniques can be done at the time of the mastectomy or later.
  • In addition to the information given here, you will need additional information based on your unique situation and medical condition. This will help you to select the best method for you and to understand the risks and benefits of your selected method.

What to Expect After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

  • A sore throat. Although you will not have felt it at the time, nor remember it afterwards, you will have had a tube down your throat during the surgery. This can often cause a sore throat for a few days following your surgery.
  • An oxygen tube in your nose.
  • An intravenous (IV) line in your arm.
  • Elasticized stockings on your legs covered by a Venodyne Compression device. This is a plastic sleeve that fits around the leg and is connected to a machine to mimic normal circulation. It is designed to prevent blood clots and will no longer be necessary when you are up and walking.
  • Drains to remove excess fluids from the surgical area.
  • Pain medication delivered by either an epidural (thin tube inserted during surgery into the fluid around your spinal cord) or through the IV in your arm.
  • A urinary catheter will stay in for a few days until you are able to urinate on your own.
  • Immediately after surgery, you will not be able to take anything by mouth.

More Information:

  • Breast Reconstruction
  • Options After A Skin-Sparing Mastectomy
  • Options After A Traditional Mastectomy

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Related clinics

Breast Care Plastic Surgery Clinic

Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

1825 Fourth St., Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94158

(415) 353-7070
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Recommended reading

Basic Facts About Breast Health

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Breast Cancer Risk Factors

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Follow-Up Care for Breast Cancer Patients

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Mastectomy: Instructions Before Surgery

The following information will help you prepare for your upcoming Mastectomy surgery. If you have any questions, please contact the Breast Care Center staff.

Mastectomy: Instructions After Surgery

Post Mastectomy surgery instructions including, pain management, incision and dressing care, activity, diet, follow-up care and more.

Menopause and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment often causes women to enter menopause prematurely. Although each woman reacts to therapy individually, certain side effects are common.

Metastatic Breast Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that originated in the breast and has spread to other organ systems in the body. Learn more here.

Navigating Your Path to Breast Care

Different services and information are needed at different points in breast health care and breast cancer treatment. Learn more here.

Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer

Women who have had breast cancer or are considered at high risk for developing breast cancer are at risk for developing osteoporosis. Learn more.

Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

The UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center and the Department of Radiation Oncology have compiled information about radiation therapy for your convenience.

Taking Charge

Knowledge may lead you to take action to protect your health and that of other women you care about: your mother, daughters, relatives and friends. Learn more.

Attention: Masks On!

If you're a patient or visitor in one of our hospitals or clinics, you're required to wear a mask indoors.

Did you know?

Could video games be digital medicine? UCSF's Neuroscape lab is developing video games and other high-tech tools to improve cognition and help treat a variety of disorders, including ADHD, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Learn more
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