Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Mastectomy

The most common form of cancer in the UK, each year around 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. While the treatment can vary from person to person, a mastectomy or double mastectomy is often required where all, or part of the breast tissue, is removed. Naturally, these procedures can then be followed up with breast reconstruction surgery where the breast is recreated with the shape, appearance and sizing to the patient’s liking.

At New Victoria Hospital, our Breast Consultants specialise in providing breast reconstruction surgery procedures following a mastectomy. Supported by a multidisciplinary Breast Team, and with access to a world-class imaging suite, they ensure every patient enjoys the highest standard of care throughout their breast cancer treatment.

Why Breast Reconstruction Surgery May Be Required Following Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease where cells in the breast grow abnormally and multiply more rapidly than normal, healthy cells, often leading to tumours. It is the most common type of cancer and can affect one or both breasts. For an individual suffering from breast cancer, a mastectomy (surgery to remove the breast tissue) is often needed as part of their treatment and to reduce the chances of a relapse.

As a mastectomy involves the removal of some, or all, of the breast tissue it can drastically alter the appearance of the breasts. Many patients therefore opt for breast reconstruction surgery to reshape the breasts, rebuild damaged tissue, or to restore them to an aesthetic that they are happy with.

When is the best time to have Breast Reconstruction surgery?

When a patient decides to have breast reconstruction surgery following cancer is a decision that is personal to them. Patients have the option to complete breast reconstruction surgery at the time of the mastectomy, which is called an Immediate Reconstruction, or it can be done after the mastectomy incisions have healed, which is known as a Delayed Reconstruction. There may be reasons as to why one type of reconstruction is deemed more appropriate than another for a patient.

Immediate reconstruction

Immediate reconstruction means the breast/s are reconstructed at the same time as the mastectomy, during the one surgery. A Breast surgeon will first remove the cancerous tissue or the full breast. A plastic surgeon will then reconstruct the breast with an implant or with tissue from another location in the body (also known as an Autologous or a FLAP).

Delayed reconstruction

Delayed Reconstruction means that the breast reconstruction surgery takes place after the mastectomy and after the patient has recovered from other treatments. There are cases, where patients need to follow a mastectomy with radiotherapy, if there is a risk of the cancer coming back. Usually the wait for reconstruction surgery after radiotherapy is around 6 to 12 months as it gives your skin and chest more time to recover. Breast consultants or oncologists will be able to give an accurate time frame, depending on the individual case. Once the required time has passed, patients can undergo breast reconstruction surgery, with the option of an implant or a Flap.

What are the different types of Breast Reconstruction Surgery after cancer?

There are 2 main plastic surgery techniques for reconstructing the breasts following a mastectomy:

Implant reconstruction: Inserting an implant that's filled with saline (salt water) or silicone gel.
Autologous or "Flap" reconstruction: Using tissue transplanted from another part of your body (such as your belly, thigh, or back).

At New Victoria Hospital we specialise in DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) Flap. For this type of reconstruction, fat, skin and blood vessels are cut from the wall of the lower belly and used to rebuild the breast. Since tissue from muscles are not used as part of the reconstruction, most women tend to recover quickly and don’t lose any abdominal strength. It does however leave a horizontal scar (from hip bone to hip bone), usually below the bikini line.

Breast Reconstruction surgery (following cancer) at New Victoria Hospital

If you choose to undergo surgery as part of your treatment for Breast Cancer at New Victoria Hospital, you will also have the option of breast reconstruction surgery. Supported by specialist nurses and with access to the latest state-of-the-art equipment, our acclaimed Breast surgeons are highly-experienced in performing various breast reconstruction procedures following a mastectomy.

We also understand that choosing the time and type of breast reconstruction procedure after a cancer diagnosis can be a daunting prospect. Our breast cancer specialists will therefore ensure you are given the guidance and support you need throughout your treatment process so you can make an informed decision on the best procedure for your breast reconstruction.