How your breast will look after surgery depends on the type of surgery you have, the size of your breast and your body shape. It can take a few weeks for any bruising and swelling of the surgery area to go away.
Learn more about:
Changes after surgery
| After breast-conserving surgery | The size and position of the scar will depend on how much tissue is removed. The scar will usually be near where the cancer was, around the areola or near the breast fold. But this varies depending on your breast size and how much tissue needs to be removed. If a larger area needs to be removed, techniques known as oncoplastic surgery can reshape the breast after the surgery. |
| After a mastectomy | The scar position will depend on the type of mastectomy you have. After a skin-sparing mastectomy, the scar will be where your nipple was; it may be horizontal or vertical. If you have flat closure, it will run across the centre of your chest. After a nipple-sparing mastectomy, it will run in the fold under the base of the breast or around the nipple. If you have lymph nodes removed, there may also be a scar in the armpit. At first the scar will be firm, slightly raised and red. Over the next few months, it will flatten and fade. |
| Impact on self-esteem | Scars or changes to how your breast looks can affect how you feel about yourself (self-image and self-esteem). If you have had a mastectomy or part of your breast removed, it’s common to feel a sense of loss. It may also affect your sense of identity. |
| Seeking support | It can help to talk to someone who has had breast cancer surgery. Cancer Council’s Peer Connect program may be able to link you to others with a similar experience. Talking to a counsellor or psychologist can also help. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20. |
Breast appearance after surgery
What your breast will look like after surgery depends on the type of surgery you have, how much tissue is removed and your body shape.
These pictures give some examples, but ask your surgeon for photographs to help you choose the best approach for you. Some procedures may not be suitable for you.
Breast-conserving surgery
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Two years after surgery to the left breast. The scar can still be seen but has healed and faded a little. The size of the scar varies but can be around 10 cm. The surgery was followed by radiation therapy. |
Mastectomy
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The left breast has been removed and the chest closed in an aesthetic flat closure, a procedure where the excess skin and tissue are removed and the chest is smoothed out. The scar runs across the chest wall. This photo is some time after surgery, once the scar has healed. |
Nipple-sparing mastectomy with implant reconstruction
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Left breast removed with a nipple-sparing mastectomy, followed by a breast reconstruction using an implant. If it is not possible to keep the nipple, there is the option of having a nipple reconstruction later. |
Double mastectomy with a flap reconstruction
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Both breasts have been removed in a skin-sparing mastectomy. This was followed by a DIEP flap breast reconstruction, using skin and tissue from the stomach, and then later a nipple reconstruction and tattoo. |
→ READ MORE: Side effects of surgery for cancer breast
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More resources
A/Prof Cindy Mak, Breast Surgeon and Director of Breast Services, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW; A/Prof Nick Murray, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital and GenesisCare Adelaide, SA; Caroline Bennett, Consumer; Tamara Casey, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; A/Prof Joe Dusseldorp, Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Lauren Lores, Consumer; Dr Linda Madigan, Breast Physician, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Catherine Meredith, Consumer; Ash Mondolo, Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant, Mater Private Hospital, QLD; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Catrina Ross, McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW; Prof Christobel Saunders AO, James Stewart Chair of Surgery and Director of Research, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Dr Janice Yeh, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Yvonne Zissiadis, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director, GenesisCare WA and Adjunct A/Prof, Curtin University, WA.
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