Giving your consent to breast reconstruction surgery

Before you have any operation, your surgeon will explain the aims of the surgery to you. They will usually ask you to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent) for the surgery to be done. Before you are asked to sign the form you should have been given full information about:

• the type and extent of the surgery you are advised to have
• the advantages and possible disadvantages of the surgery
• any other types of surgery that may be suitable for you
• possible complications and any significant risks or side effects of the surgery.

If you don’t understand what you have been told, let the staff know straight away so that they can explain it again. Breast reconstruction can be complex, so it’s not unusual for people to need repeated explanations.

It’s often a good idea to have a friend or relative with you when the surgery is explained, to help you remember the discussion more fully. You may also find it useful to write down a list of questions before you go to your appointment.

Patients often feel that hospital staff are too busy to answer their questions, but it's important for you to be aware of how the treatment might affect you. Your surgeon and the breast care nurse should allow time for you to ask questions. You can ask for more time to decide about the surgery if you feel that you can’t make a decision when it's first explained to you, especially if you’re having a delayed reconstruction. You may need to make a decision more quickly if you’re having a reconstruction at the same time as the operation to remove the cancer.