Breast reconstruction is done by a breast surgeon or a reconstructive (plastic) surgeon. If a breast surgeon is trained in plastic surgery, they are known as an oncoplastic breast surgeon.
Learn more about:
Overview
The breast surgeon and the reconstructive (plastic) surgeon may do the breast cancer surgery and reconstruction during the same operation.
A breast surgeon can do implant reconstructions and a reconstructive (plastic) surgeon can do both implant and flap reconstructions.
You can ask your surgeon:
- what the surgery will involve and the length of the recovery
- about their experience and expertise
- what risks are associated with the different types of reconstructions
- to show you photographs of their work, including how the reconstruction looks straight after surgery and several months later.
Finding a surgeon
When considering having a reconstruction, ask to be referred to an expert in breast reconstruction. Check that the breast surgeon is a member of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ) and that the reconstructive (plastic) surgeon is a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Which health professionals will I see?
In hospital, you will be cared for by a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of the reconstruction procedure. Specialists and other health professionals will take a team-based approach to your care as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The health professionals listed in the table on the next page may be in your MDT.
These health professionals may be in your MDT:
| breast surgeon | performs breast surgery and biopsies; some breast surgeons also perform breast reconstruction | ||
| oncoplastic breast surgeon | performs breast surgery and biopsies; performs some types of breast reconstruction | ||
| reconstructive (plastic) surgeon | uses a variety of plastic surgery techniques to reconstruct the breast’s appearance after surgery | ||
| anaesthetist | assesses your health before surgery; administers anaesthesia and looks after you during the surgery; commonly plans your pain relief after surgery | ||
| breast care nurse | provides breast cancer care; provides information, support and referrals during and after treatment | ||
| radiation oncologist | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy | ||
| medical oncologist | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy | ||
| occupational therapist, physiotherapist | assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility after surgery and recommending aids and equipment; provide treatment if lymphoedema occurs | ||
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with any emotional, practical and financial issues | ||
| counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist | help you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
What to do before surgery
Stop smoking or vaping – If you smoke tobacco or vape, aim to quit as soon as possible. Continuing to smoke or vape can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of complications after surgery. This can delay skin healing and recovery time. For support, talk to your doctor or call the Quitline on 13 7848.
Exercise regularly – This will help you build up your strength to cope with recovery and reduce the risk of complications after surgery. Talk to your doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist about the amount and type of exercise that is right for you.
Talk to someone – It’s natural to feel anxious before surgery. Talk to your treatment team, or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to arrange to speak to a trained Cancer Connect volunteer who has had reconstruction surgery and can offer you support.
→ READ MORE: Types of breast reconstruction
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Dr Jane O’Brien, Specialist Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgeon, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, VIC; Clare Bradshaw, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; Rene Hahn, Consumer; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Dr Marc Langbart, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Randwick Plastic Surgery, NSW; Melanie Law, Consumer; Sally Levy, Consumer; Annmaree Mitchell, Consumer; Ashleigh Mondolo, Breast Cancer Nurse Clinical Consultant, Mater Private Hospital Brisbane, QLD; Rochelle Osgood, Clinical Nurse Consultant – McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD: Dr Kallyani Ponniah, Head of Department, Breast Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA; Meg Rynderman OAM, Consumer; Sarah Stewart, Breast Care Nurse, The Royal Women’s Hospital, VIC; Erin Tidball, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Jane Turner, Senior Exercise Physiologist, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, Concord Cancer Centre, NSW.
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