Women who have a mastectomy as treatment for breast cancer may have one or both breasts removed. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer may involve one or both breasts
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer may be done at the same time as mastectomy (immediate breast reconstruction) or at a later time in a separate operation months or years down the track (delayed breast mastectomy).
The decision about whether to have an immediate breast reconstruction or a delayed breast reconstruction depends on a number of things, including what treatments you are having after mastectomy.
"I became really angry at this thing about the concentration on 'You've lost a breast, you're no longer a woman'. And I sort of thought... Well you know, blow that, I'm more than a breast you know."
Some women decide that they do not want to have a breast reconstruction at all. If this is your choice, you have the option of using external breast prostheses. A delayed breast reconstruction may be an option later if you change your mind.