Having Breast Reconstruction Is a Personal Decision.

Unlike having a mastectomy to remove cancer, breast reconstruction surgery is not necessary for all women. Many women live happily without a reconstructed breast. You should choose to have the procedure for the right reasons. You should also be healthy enough to have reconstruction surgery.

A reconstructed breast will not have the same sensation and feel as the breast that was removed during mastectomy
A visible incision line (scar) may be present on the breast from the mastectomy and additional reconstruction.
Certain surgical techniques will leave scars in areas where tissue is taken to build a breast, such as the back, abdomen, or buttocks.

If only one breast is affected, it alone may be reconstructed. If you prefer, breast surgeries (implant placement, reduction, or breast lift) may be performed on the opposite breast to achieve symmetry.

Did You Know?

Only 30% of women diagnosed each year with breast cancer will be treated with a total mastectomy. Of those, only 38% percent undergo immediate reconstruction.

Less than 25% of women know the wide range of breast reconstruction options available.

Less than 25% of women know the quality of outcomes (results) that can be expected for their reconstruction.

Most women who choose to have breast reconstruction have implants.

The Women’s Health and Cancer Right Act was federally enacted in 1998 to ensure economic coverage for reconstruction fees after mastectomy. Multiple research studies have shown there has been no significant increase in reconstruction rates following the passage of this law.

Are You a Candidate?

Unfortunately, not all patients are candidates for breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is a good option for you if:

You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for restoring your breast and body image
You are willing to undergo multiple surgical procedures for reconstruction
You do not have any medical conditions or other illnesses that may impair your tissues from healing (i.e. active smoking, uncontrolled diabetes) or put you at risk to undergo multiple surgeries

Additionally, when speaking with your plastic surgeon, it is important to discuss the following in guiding you towards the best option for reconstruction:

Surgery to one or both breasts
Type of breast cancer surgery planned: lumpectomy or mastectomy +/- lymph node surgery
Need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy

While it is normal to feel a sense of urgency to want cancer to be removed immediately, it is important to make an educated decision regarding your treatment that is not rushed.

Ask Questions and Make a List of Your Reconstructive Goals

Talk about what you want your breasts to look like after surgery. Your surgeon should be able to tell you what is achievable and what is not.
Ask about the risks and benefits of each procedure.
Ask to see before and after photos of other women who have had reconstruction similar to what you are planning to have.

Although surgery can give you a relatively natural-looking breast, a reconstructed breast will never look or feel exactly the same as the breast that was removed. It is important that you feel ready for the emotional adjustment involved in breast reconstruction. The creation of a new breast can dramatically improve your self-image, self-confidence, and quality of life. Together with your surgeon, you will decide which breast reconstruction best suits your individual needs.

Breast Reconstruction - Team Players

If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may have many questions about your treatment. You will be presented with an overwhelming amount of information while speaking with your doctors. Common questions to ask your doctor include:

The types of surgeries you will need (how much breast tissue will be taken? will lymph nodes also be taken?)
If you will need chemotherapy or radiation
If you are a candidate for breast reconstruction

It is important to have a team of doctors who can help guide you through each stage of your cancer treatment. Depending on the type of breast cancer you have, you may work with some or all members of this team. Not all types of cancer require chemotherapy or radiation. Surgical Oncologist: A.K.A. Your breast cancer surgeon, the surgeon responsible for removing all of your breast cancer.

Medical Oncologist: The physician who will direct your chemotherapy course.
Radiation Oncologist: The physician who will direct your radiation therapy course.
Plastic Surgeon: The surgeon responsible for reconstructing your breast(s) after the cancer is removed by the surgical oncologist.

Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: excision of breast tissue with preservation of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC)
Skin Sparing ("Simple") Mastectomy: resection of all breast including the NAC, but skin envelope as possible
Modified Radical Mastectomy: all breast tissue, some overlying skin, pectoralis muscles, and all lymph nodes
Prophylactic Mastectomy: resection of a breast that does not have a diagnosis of cancer.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Removal of one or a few lymph nodes closest to the cancer area.

Axillary Lymphadenectomy

Removal of many lymph nodes in the breast and armpit. Also known as a lymph node dissection

Breast Reconstruction in New Jersey

Why Reconstruction?

Did You Know?

Are You a Candidate?

Ask Questions and Make a List of Your Reconstructive Goals

Breast Reconstruction - Team Players

Key Surgical Terms

Lumpectomy

Mastectomy

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Axillary Lymphadenectomy

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