What to consider – implant reconstruction

Benefits

Drawbacks

• Operation takes only a few hours and you usually only stay in hospital for a few days.
• Creates the breast shape without moving tissue (muscle, skin or fat) from elsewhere in the body, so other parts of the body aren’t affected.
• There is only one scar from the mastectomy.
• Recovery time at home is shorter than for a flap reconstruction. Although the chest area will be swollen and sensitive, you may be able to return to most activities within about a week.
• Implants come in a range of shapes and sizes. You can choose to change your original breast size.
• Operation doesn’t cause issues, such as muscle weakness, that may occur after a flap reconstruction.

• May not be suitable if you plan to have radiation therapy.
• Two or more operations may be needed. If you have an expander first, you are likely to need regular doctor’s visits to gradually fill the expander. The whole process may take 3–6 months.
• A breast reconstructed with a tissue expander and/or an implant usually feels firmer than a natural breast. It won’t move like a natural breast, but it usually looks the same in a bra.
• If your other breast changes in shape and size, you may need more surgery to match the two.
• Hardened scar tissue (capsule) may form around the implant. This can distort the shape of the breast and may be painful.
• Risk of infection, which may mean removing the implant.
• Implants may need to be replaced after 10–15 years.
• There are some rare side effects.