Why consider breast reconstruction?

It’s important to have realistic expectations about the possible result of breast reconstruction. You’ll need to think about the benefits and limitations before making a decision about whether to have it done. Often two or more operations over a period of six months to a year may be needed to give the breast a good appearance.

• You won’t have to wear an external artificial breast (prosthesis).
• In clothes (including underwear, or a swimming costume), your appearance will be similar to before your surgery.
• You will have a cleavage.
• Even without clothes, you may feel better with a recreated breast that gives you a more natural shape.
• It can help to restore your self-confidence and feelings of femininity, attractiveness and sexuality.
• Breast reconstruction does not increase the chance of the cancer recurring. It doesn’t interfere with cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Mammograms, scans and x-rays of the breast area can still be taken and if the cancer comes back in the breast area, it can still be detected.

The reconstructed breast will not feel or look exactly the same as your natural breast.

• Your new breast won’t be as sensitive as your natural breast.
• If you have children afterwards, you won’t be able to breastfeed from the reconstructed breast. However, you should be able to feed with the other breast if you wish to.
• Most women need to have two or three operations to get a good match with their other breast. With immediate reconstruction, it’s easier to get a good result with just one operation but this may not be possible for everyone. After the initial surgery, further operations may be done to tidy up the scars. Liposuction (removing fat from under the skin) is sometimes used to shape the reconstructed breast. It may be possible to do these later operations under local anaesthetic as a day case.
• You may need to have an operation on your other breast to reduce or increase its size, or to lift it so that both breasts are even. This can be done at the same time as the reconstruction or at a later date. 
• Nipple reconstruction may involve further minor surgery.

Every effort is made to give the best possible result from reconstruction so that the breasts are even and symmetrical. Results from this type of surgery vary depending on your age, your general health, the state of your skin, your breast size and whether or not you’ve had radiotherapy. If you smoke, there is a much greater risk of problems with all types of reconstruction as smoking can affect how well the wound heals.

It's impossible to have a perfect match with your natural breast, but the result of reconstruction can be very acceptable.

When you are undressed, you may find that the reconstructed breast has less of a droop, and appears slightly higher and firmer than your natural breast. This is particularly the case where an implant has been used. Having an implant in the other breast can correct this. There is usually much less sensation in the reconstructed breast.

If the shape of the reconstructed breast is very different from your natural breast even when wearing underwear, you can use an external partial prosthesis (false breast) in your bra to give a better balance. Breast prostheses come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and skin colours. They are made of soft silicone, which can bend to create the natural curves of your breast, including the nipple outline. A well-fitting prosthesis can give back the overall shape of your breast.

The pictures in this section don't necessarily show what is possible for you. Many factors can influence the result. Your surgeon or breast care nurse can tell you what is likely in your case and give you information about breast reconstruction, based on their experience and understanding. They can show you photographs of breast reconstructions carried out by your surgeon. They may also be able to put you in touch with other women who have had the operation. You may find it helpful to contact a support organisation|.