Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBreast reconstruction is a surgical procedure that restores shape to your breast after mastectomy — surgery that removes your breast to treat or prevent breast cancer.
One type of breast reconstruction uses breast implants — silicone devices filled with silicone or salt water (saline) — to reshape your breasts. Breast reconstruction with breast implants is a complex procedure performed by a plastic surgeon. The breast reconstruction process can start at the time of your mastectomy or it can be done as a delayed procedure. The breast reconstruction process usually requires two or more operations — and several visits to your doctor — to insert, position and fill the breast implants.
Breast reconstruction won't recreate the exact look and feel of your natural breast. However, the contour of your new breasts may restore a silhouette similar to what you had before mastectomy.
Risks
