No one source of information can proved every fact or give all the answers. Finding as much information about options as possible will help a woman make the best choice for herself. If a woman is interested in breast reconstruction after mastectomy, she should consult with her breast surgeon for a referral to a plastic surgeon. The breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon should work together to plan the reconstruction. Breast reconstruction can take place whenever the woman feels comfortable undergoing the operation.
Some women undergo the procedure at the same time as their mastectomy.
Others choose to wait until they have recovered from mastectomy to start considering reconstruction. There may be medical reasons for a woman to wait, and some women with health problems like obesity, high blood pressure, and smokers may not be candidates for breast reconstruction. It all depends on what a woman and her cancer care team thinks would best aid her physical and emotional recovery. A plastic surgeon can reconstruct a breast either with implants or with tissue from a woman s body. Each procedure has its advantages and drawbacks that a woman should discuss with her cancer care team.