The decision to undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy is usually a very personal decision, which can depend on the inner feelings of the woman in question. Both the mental and physical stress due to the loss of breasts can be almost impossible to bear on a daily basis for many of them, and this can play a significant role in any decision. Although breast reconstruction surgery may not be perfect, it tends to offer a hopeful option for many who may consider it. However, although the majority of women who have undergone this type of reconstruction have stated that they are satisfied with the result, approximately 20% of them have stated that they are dissatisfied.

Considerations before breast reconstruction:

1. Two forms of reconstruction are available: immediate (reconstruction can be done partially or completely at the time of mastectomy) and delayed (where reconstruction is postponed until a later date).

2. When radiation therapy is recommended after surgery, most doctors will advise against immediate reconstruction because of the potential for additional problems it could cause. There is also a chance that the surgery will have a lower success rate.

3. Several different types of reconstruction are available, using: breast implants, tissue flaps (tissue taken from the stomach, back, thighs, or buttocks to help with reconstruction), transversus rectus abdominis muscle flaps (the [TRAM muscle] is taken from the lower abdominal wall), or a combination of these.

4. Some very thin women may simply not have enough tissue or muscle available to allow flap reconstruction work to be done and therefore breast implants would be the only option left. However, breast implants are actually desired by many women simply for cosmetic purposes.

5. The reconstructed breast may have a different feel and sensation to the original breast, although after a while this may become less noticeable. The flap donor areas may also lose some sensation to them and may leave some scarring, as would be the case with the reconstructed breast along with any surgery performed on the remaining breast.

6. Surgery may be offered to either reshape or reshape the remaining breast to match the reconstructed one. This may include either reducing its size or enlarging it, as appropriate. A surgical lift of the surviving breast may even be offered. This would mean additional surgery than would otherwise have been necessary.

7. Swelling and bruising can take up to eight weeks to go away; however, it can take one to two years for the tissues to heal completely. Scars will almost certainly fade within this time frame, although they will never completely disappear. Skin type and tone can have some influence on the final result.

8. Surgery does not always turn out as expected, or sometimes it can lead to cell death (necrosis), in which case even more surgery may be necessary. Or the reconstructed breast may not look exactly as one expected. Most of the time, reconstructed breasts will look different from the original.

9. Exercise and sexual activity after reconstruction can usually begin after 4-6 weeks, although for some women it can take much longer to return to normal sexual activity with their partner. This can really depend on each individual, as not everyone reacts the same to every situation.

10. Another important aspect to consider is: Who will pay? Because not all insurance policies may cover the cost of breast reconstruction work after mastectomy. Check with your insurance company to be completely sure before committing to any further surgery, as an unexpected bill may arrive in your mailbox. While this article does not cover every aspect of breast reconstruction, it does give an idea of ​​how complicated the decision any woman may have to make after mastectomy can be.