Breast Cancer

Breast Reconstruction

In most cases, breast reconstruction is an option after mastectomy. Some women find that reconstructive surgery makes them feel or look more like themselves, while others find that it helps them deal with the cancer. A Mayo Clinic plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction performs the surgery. The goal is to create a life-like breast that will give the patient confidence to wear any style of clothing.

Mayo Clinic offers reconstruction with implants or with the patient's tissue (autologous reconstruction), followed by nipple and areolar reconstruction. Such surgeries include TRAM reconstruction and SIEA surgery. Mayo Clinic is one of few medical centers that offers the DIEP breast reconstruction, an innovative procedure that can be completed at the same time as a patient's mastectomy.

The surgeon considers several factors in determining whether a woman is a good candidate for reconstruction, including the patient's overall health, previous surgeries, body type, radiation or chemotherapy considerations, and whether the patient uses tobacco. Mayo Clinic plastic surgeons have extensive experience with both autologous and implant reconstruction, performing about 180 of these procedures per year.

Breast reconstruction can be done at the time of the mastectomy or at least four months or longer after the mastectomy. Usually, there is little difference in the outcome of an immediate or delayed reconstruction.