Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is done following a mastectomy in those who opt for it. It predominantly involves using a muscle from the back or fatty tissue from the lower abdomen to reconstruct a breast. On rare occasions, an implant may also be used to reconstruct the breast. These procedures take longer and can vary from three hours up to six hours. You may be advised to stay in the hospital for 2-3 nights and sometimes longer. The recovery period may take longer in the initial days. The long term outcomes are similar to those undergoing a mastectomy without reconstruction and the cosmetic outcome and quality of life is shown to be better. You may have a joined consultation with the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon for these procedures. It can be done at the same time as the mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or at a later date when the cancer treatment has been completed (delayed reconstruction).