Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction uses surgery to make a new breast shape after an operation to remove the breast (mastectomy).

The new breast shape can be made with: 

• a breast implant
• tissue taken from another part of your body
• a combination of both.

You may have a breast reconstruction after a mastectomy to treat breast cancer. Surgery is the first treatment for most people diagnosed with breast cancer. For some people, a mastectomy is recommended instead of breast-conserving surgery. This is when only part of the breast is removed (wide local excision or lumpectomy).

Breast reconstruction tries to match your reconstructed breast to your other breast as closely as possible. You usually need further surgery to the reconstructed breast, or sometimes to the other breast to improve the final appearance.

You may also have breast reconstruction if you are having risk-reducing breast surgery. This is when you have surgery to remove both breasts, called a bilateral mastectomy. This is why we use breast(s) in this content.

Breast reconstruction surgery may not be suitable for everyone. This is because some medical conditions increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. Your surgeon or nurse can tell you more about this.

People who have part of their breast removed (breast-conserving surgery) do not usually need breast reconstruction.

But if a large area of breast tissue needs to be removed, some reconstructive surgery might be offered to keep the breast shape. This can improve the appearance of your breasts or make them look more even.

You will have a pre-operative assessment before your operation. This will involve having some tests to check your general health and fitness.

Your treatment team will talk to you about having a healthy, balanced diet and keeping physically active in the weeks before surgery. For example, this may mean going for regular walks.

You may be given information about what to bring into hospital, such as:

• comfortable clothes and nightwear with buttons down the front
• a supportive bra.

If you smoke, your surgeon will talk to you about giving up smoking before surgery.

You are more likely to develop problems after breast reconstruction surgery if you smoke. Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the chance of having problems with wound healing and recovery.

Your hospital and GP will give you help and support to stop smoking. You can also visit the NHS website for more information.

Your breast care nurse will give you advice and support on what to expect after breast reconstruction surgery.

Breast reconstruction surgery has a risk of complications. Most complications are mild and can be treated. Smoking, being overweight or having diabetes can increase this risk. There are also possible long-term side effects of breast reconstruction surgery. These can last for a longer period of time. Some side effects may not go away completely.

Before you leave hospital, you will be given an appointment for a check-up or to plan further treatment, if you are having it.

If it is needed, the ward nurses can arrange for district nurses to visit you at home and look at any wounds and dressings.

It is important to continue checking your natural breast and reconstructed breasts for any abnormalities or changes. Your doctor will also regularly examine your breasts after your reconstruction.

You will not usually need to have mammograms of the reconstructed breast. If you have had a reconstruction to treat breast cancer, you will be offered regular mammograms of the other breast. If you have breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery, you will continue to have mammograms on that breast.

We have more information about what to expect after breast reconstruction surgery and recovering at home.

You will need time to recover after breast reconstruction. It will take time to adjust to the changes. Many people who have this surgery are pleased with the result. But they may still have feelings of loss for their previous appearance and health.

If you have concerns about your body image that do not improve, talk to your breast care nurse about how you feel. Many people and organisations can help you talk about and deal with your feelings. If you are struggling to adjust emotionally, you can ask to be referred to psychologist or counsellor.

We have more information about how you may feel after breast reconstruction surgery.

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We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.

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