Breast Reconstruction Questions and Answers – Ask Your Surgeon

Any woman considering breast reconstruction should ask their surgeon the following breast reconstruction questions.

• What are my options for breast reconstruction?
• What are the risks and complications of each type of reconstruction surgery and how common are they?
• What steps are involved in each procedure?
• What is the estimated total cost of each procedure?
• How long will it take to complete my reconstruction?
• What will my scars look like?
• How much pain or discomfort will I feel, and for how long?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• Will I need blood transfusions, and, if so, can I donate my own blood?
• When will I be able to resume my normal household, sexual, and athletic activities?
• How much experience do you have with each procedure?
• May I review before-and-after photos of your reconstructive results?
• Can you refer me to other patients so I can talk to them about their experiences?
• What results are reasonable for me?
• Will reconstruction interfere with my cancer treatment?
• What if my cancer recurs or occurs in the other breast?
• What kind of changes in my reconstructed breast can I expect over time?
• What kind of changes in my reconstructed breast can I expect with pregnancy?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breast?