Breastcancer.org is the number one online resource

for breast cancer information and support, providing

over 8,000 pages of expert-reviewed information

on all aspects of breast cancer—from diagnosis

through treatment and beyond. Breastcancer.org

also hosts a vibrant peer support community with

over 150,000 registered members. Breastcancer.org

reaches millions of people around the world. Our

goal is to empower everyone to face breast cancer

with knowledge, clarity, and confidence.

Visit us online at www.breastcancer.org.

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Our mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal

information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.

Committed to Our Mission

Real-World Advice From Women Like You

Breastcancer.org invites you to our Discussion Boards

on breast reconstruction, where you can connect

with women who are talking about their options,

going through reconstruction now, or have finished

reconstruction. Learn from their experiences,

ask questions, and benefit from straight talk

with women who’ve been there.

Visit the Breast Reconstruction forum on Breastcancer.org and join the conversation:

community.breastcancer.org/forum/44

WWW.BR EA S TC ENT E R . COM

“Being told that I needed a mastectomy was one of the

scariest moments of my life. I had to make reconstructive surgery

decisions with very little guidance. I had no idea that there were so many surgical procedures, and

Breastcancer.org provided me with the information that I needed to

make my decision with confidence.”Jennifer F., Breastcancer.org

Community member

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION: Know Your Options

Website is also available in Spanish.

Understanding Your Reconstruction Options

Finding a Breast Reconstruction Surgeon

Making Decisions About Breast Reconstruction

DIEP Flap Reconstruction – Before and After*

There are two main ways to reconstruct your breast(s):

n Implant reconstruction uses a silicone- or saline-filled implant to recreate the breast shape.

n Flap reconstruction uses tissue from another location in your body, such as the belly, hips, back, thighs, or buttocks. The newest techniques require expertise in microsurgery, which connects the blood vessels of the tissue flap to its new blood supply in the chest.

Each technique has pros and cons. Talk to your treatment team about what makes sense for you.

You can visit Breastcancer.org’s Breast Reconstruction section (www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction) for:

n details on specific reconstruction techniques

n before-and-after photos

n information about nipple reconstruction

n options if you had mastectomy in the past and are considering reconstruction now

n options if you’re unsatisfied with a previous reconstruction and want to have it corrected

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you and

your doctor will talk about surgery to remove the

cancer. Your doctor should also tell you about breast

reconstruction: surgery to rebuild the breast after the

cancer is removed. Reconstruction can often start at

the same time as mastectomy (breast removal) and

at least 6 months after lumpectomy.

While some women decide to have reconstruction,

others choose to go “breast free” or wear a prosthesis

(breast form). It’s important to learn about all the

options so you can make a decision that’s right

for you. Ask your doctor to recommend a plastic

surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction.

Some factors to consider:

n your desire to have a permanent breast shape

n whether you feel you need reconstruction

for mental and emotional healing

n willingness to have more surgery

beyond mastectomy or lumpectomy

n other health issues that can make

reconstruction too risky

A plastic surgeon may be recommended to you

or you may need to find one on your own. Take

time to do homework on any surgeon you are

considering. Plastic surgeons vary widely in

their level of skill and the range of procedures

they can perform. It is rare for any surgeon to

excel at every type of reconstruction.

Some questions to ask:

n What types of reconstruction do you offer?

n Which procedures do you perform most often? How many per month?

n Do you offer flap reconstruction that requires microsurgery?

n Can you provide before-and-after photos of your work?

n Do you have patients who would be willing to share their experiences?

Visit Breastcancer.org’s Breast Reconstruction

section (www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/

reconstruction) for more advice about finding

the right plastic surgeon for your needs.

*Image used with permission from the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery.