Breast Reconstruction FAQs

At Henry Ford Cancer, we are committed to giving you the best care and the latest treatment options, including for breast cancer reconstruction. We believe that educating and informing you throughout the process empowers you to heal and live your best life. Whether you are just starting your cancer journey, are ready for breast cancer surgery or reconstruction, or have had a previous reconstruction surgery and didn’t have a good outcome, we’re here to help.

This list of answers to frequently asked questions is a good place to begin when you want to learn more about breast reconstruction surgery at Henry Ford Cancer.

• How does breast reconstruction surgery work?
• What are the benefits of breast reconstruction?
• Will I have scars after plastic surgery?
• What are my options for breast reconstruction surgery?
• How many procedures am I going to need?
• Is breast reconstruction safe?
• When will I finish the reconstructive process?
• Will my breasts match after breast reconstruction surgery?
• What questions should I ask before breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery?
• What happens after breast reconstruction surgery?
• What kinds of symptoms indicate there may be a problem after breast reconstruction surgery?
• Is it ever too late to have breast reconstruction surgery?
• Is breast reconstruction surgery covered by insurance for my lifetime?
• What if I don’t want breast reconstruction?

How does breast reconstruction surgery work?

Breast reconstruction surgery rebuilds the breast mound using an artificial implant and muscle, skin, or fat from other areas of your body. Your reconstruction surgery will depend on the type of surgery you had and how much of the breast needs reconstruction.

It’s important to understand that sensation in the breast or nipple may not be the same as it was before surgery.

What are the benefits of breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction has been shown to provide a variety of mental and physical benefits, including:

• Restoring wholeness
• Allowing for freedom in clothing and physical activities
• Facilitating emotional healing after cancer
• Eliminating the need for an external prosthesis
• Regaining body symmetry
• Improving sexual or interpersonal relationships

Will I have scars after plastic surgery?

Surgery always leaves a scar, but everyone heals differently. Your scars may be more or less noticeable than other women. Although we can’t eliminate scarring, there are strategies we can use to limit it.

What are my options for breast reconstruction surgery?

Our surgeons offer a full range of options, including:

• Breast flap reconstruction: Our mastectomy reconstruction surgeons are experienced in specialized microsurgery breast flap techniques that use your own body’s tissue for reconstruction.
• Implant reconstruction: We offer the latest implant options for breast reconstruction, including 1-stage (direct to implant) and 2-stage implant procedures.
• Hybrid reconstruction: This advanced surgery combines techniques from both breast flap and implant procedures.
• Breast reconstruction using your own mastectomy skin (Goldilocks procedure): During this procedure, unhealthy breast tissue is removed, but the remaining skin, fat and blood vessels are rearranged and used to form a new breast mound. This is done without the need for an implant or flap, and it represents a middle-of-the-road approach to breast reconstruction.
• Lumpectomy reconstruction: We can address any changes in the breast following lumpectomy by using breast lift or reduction techniques, or fat grafting—harvesting fat from another part of the body and injecting it into specific areas of the surgically altered breast to match the shape of the other breast. If necessary, we can also perform a symmetry procedure on the healthy breast to make them look the same.
• Nipple reconstruction and 3D nipple tattoos: If you are not having a nipple-sparing mastectomy, your nipple-areolar complex (the area defined by your nipple and the pigmented area that surrounds it) will be removed during surgery. In this case, we offer two options to restore your nipple—a procedure that rebuilds this tissue and one that uses a tattoo to recreate the appearance of a nipple.
• Symmetry procedures: If you need a one-sided breast reconstruction, we also offer procedures that help to restore symmetry. This may include a breast lift, implant or fat grafting.
• Corrective reconstruction: If you had reconstruction in the past and didn’t have a good outcome, we can help. Our surgeons are experienced in techniques that can correct issues from previous reconstruction procedures.
• Lymphedema surgery: If you need to have most or all of your lymph nodes removed during breast cancer surgery, we offer the latest procedures for reconstruction of your lymphatic system. This includes lymphatic reconstruction that may help reduce your risk of developing lymphedema after breast cancer surgery, as well as procedures to help manage your symptoms if you already have lymphedema.

Our team also has a focus on immediate reconstruction:

• This is our gold standard. Some women hesitate to have breast reconstruction because of concerns over disfigurement.
• Research has shown that women who can get breast reconstruction at the time of their cancer surgery experience a minimal change in quality of life, given that they come out of surgery with their reconstructed breast.
• Our expert team has the microsurgical experience necessary to perform these procedures, and we work to offer immediate reconstruction at the time of cancer surgery to as many women as possible.

How many procedures am I going to need?

Your surgeon will discuss your options soon after your breast cancer diagnosis. We consider what’s most important to you and give you all the information, including our treatment recommendations, so you can make an informed decision. Depending on your specific cancer treatment plan and reconstruction goals, you may need one procedure or several to achieve your desired results.

Is breast reconstruction safe?

As with any type of surgery, there are potential risks in breast reconstruction. For many women, the potential benefits outweigh these risks. If you choose to have reconstruction, your surgeon will review all of the potential risks for your specific procedure, so you can make an informed decision.

When will I finish the reconstructive process?

That depends on several factors, including your body type, the type of surgery you choose and other personal preferences, such as whether you choose to undergo nipple reconstruction. Typically, the entire process takes place over nine months to a year. If you need other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, the reconstruction process can take considerably longer to complete.

Will my breasts match after breast reconstruction surgery?

If both breasts undergo reconstruction, it’s often easy to match them. If only one breast is reconstructed, it’s more difficult. In many cases, your other breast can be modified with a breast lift, reduction or augmentation to achieve symmetry. Some insurance plans cover this procedure.

What questions should I ask before breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery?

• What do I want my breasts to look like after I’m done with treatment?
• Is delayed breast reconstruction an option?
• Do I need to decide about reconstruction right away?
• What will life be like for me without reconstruction?
• Am I a candidate for breast conservation?
• What reconstruction options fit best with my overall treatment plan?

What happens after breast reconstruction surgery?

While recovering from breast reconstruction surgery, be aware of the following:

• You may be mildly groggy and dizzy due to the anesthesia.
• We recommend you take your prescription pain medication as advised before your discomfort becomes severe. For less severe pain, you can take acetaminophen or any non-aspirin pain reliever.
• You may not want to use the arm on the side of your mastectomy for blood pressure tests, IVs, or blood draws. Discuss this with your surgeon.

Some personal care tips to keep in mind:

• Keep the dressing clean and dry. You many need to sponge bathe. Don’t remove the dressing unless directed to do so by the doctor.
• A drain may be needed to remove blood and fluid from the surgery site. As the container fills with fluid, you will need to empty it. The doctor or nurse will show you how to do this.

Talk with your surgeon about when to start post-op exercises. Avoid activities that involve:

• Heavy lifting (more than 10 pounds)
• Overhead arm movement, such as reaching and stretching
• Repetitive arm movement, such as vacuuming and raking

What kinds of symptoms indicate there may be a problem after breast reconstruction surgery?

Call your surgeon immediately or go to the emergency room if you develop any unusual symptoms after breast reconstruction surgery, such as:

• Bleeding (more than a stain on the dressing)
• Pus-like discharge
• Redness or discoloration of the skin
• Severe pain not lessened by pain medication
• Shaking chills and/or fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Swelling

Is it ever too late to have breast reconstruction surgery?

No, it is never too late to have a breast reconstruction if you are healthy. Discuss the risks and benefits of postponing breast reconstruction with a board-certified surgeon.

Is breast reconstruction surgery covered by insurance for my lifetime?

Insurance companies must cover breast reconstruction by law, as dictated by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act, which was passed in 1998. Specific coverage details can vary by insurance company and plan, so check with your insurance provider and review your policy.

What if I don’t want breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction surgery isn’t for everyone. If you decide not to have it, we’ll provide options to help you feel more comfortable and simulate the look of a natural breast under clothing. These may include breast prostheses and forms, or bras fitted especially for you.