Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy
Dr. Kathleen Holoyda
Coping with cancer can be very stressful and it’s normal to feel afraid. Commonly, breast removal, or mastectomy, may be part of the breast cancer treatment process and though necessary to remove diseased tissue, can leave you feeling incomplete.
Discussing changes in your body with our health team can help you feel less scared. Your provider can suggest ways to help you feel whole again, which may include breast reconstruction with a plastic surgeon.
What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild a breast that has been removed through mastectomy. It can be done with implants or with tissue from another part of the body, or both, and can be performed at the same time or after mastectomy. The breast mound created comes as close as possible to the shape and look of a natural breast.
Deciding about breast reconstruction
The decision to have breast reconstruction is personal. If you would feel uncomfortable with a flat chest or wearing a prosthetic breast, you may consider breast reconstruction. If you don’t want to have any more surgeries, you may not want to do it.
If you’re thinking of having breast reconstruction, talk with your healthcare provider before your mastectomy. This lets the surgical team plan the best treatment for you, even if you decide to wait and have reconstructive surgery later.
Kathleen A. Holoyda, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon with Barton Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 530.543.5799 or visit BartonHealth.org/PlasticSurgery.
