Can be done either immediately (at the time of mastectomy) or delayed after adjuvant treatment is given (Radiotherapy /Chemotherapy).
One common method is to use the TRAM flap which is either free (Microvascular) or pedicled (flap remains attached to the muscle & blood supply), Breast reconstruction is a staged procedure where usually 2 (but sometimes 3) operations are needed to get the final result.
The first stage invloves creating the breast mound, which is often the most complicated and time consuming stage, after that there is another stage; a balancing procedure where the differences in size, shape and projection of both breasts are addressed to achieve the best symmetry possible, this involves reducing or lifting the other breast, often combined with nipple reconstruction, a final stage involves nipple Tattooing to give a matching colour to the normal side.
