| Many women choose to get breast reconstruction | | | | which means that they wait until after the |
| following a mastectomy, but some prefer to get it | | | | mastectomy. While this requires that you go through |
| done right away, while others choose to wait. Decide | | | | two separate procedures, this might suit you better if |
| which path is best for you by considering your health | | | | you need radiation therapy directly following the |
| and your doctor's advice. If you are thinking of having | | | | removal of your breasts. Often, having the radiation |
| breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, you are not | | | | after the augmentation can result in complications. |
| alone. Hundreds of thousands of women suffer from | | | | Additionally, some women need some time to cope |
| breast cancer every year, and many choose to have | | | | with their diagnosis and treatment of cancer, especially |
| reconstruction following the removal of one or both | | | | if the mastectomy is done shortly after they get the |
| breasts. Once you have decided to do the procedure, | | | | news. This may mean it is best to wait a few months |
| you will have some other decisions to make, as well. | | | | or even years before opting for another surgical |
| One of the major choices is whether you will select | | | | procedure. |
| the immediate or delayed surgery. | | | | Just like any other procedure, it is up to you whether |
| Immediate breast reconstruction is performed at the | | | | you decide to get breast reconstruction at the same |
| time of the mastectomy. This may be done if you | | | | time as another major surgery. In addition, your doctor |
| already know that you want this procedure before | | | | might have some helpful advice for you, so be sure to |
| your breasts are even removed. It can cut down on | | | | contact him or her before making a choice. Some |
| the amount of time you spend in the operating room | | | | women need extra time to heal physically after the |
| because it is usually easier to add one type of surgery | | | | first operation, so their doctor might decide that |
| to another. This will also usually result in less tissue | | | | immediate surgery is not a good idea. However, other |
| damage overall. If you want this option, you should tell | | | | women have doctors who leave the decision |
| your surgeon ahead of time. You should also be | | | | completely up to them since they appear healthy. In |
| aware that sometimes you will need extra work done | | | | either case, you should ask your surgeon how long |
| after the operation in order to touch up the job, but this | | | | each type of surgery will take to recover from, which |
| is not always the case. | | | | could help you make up your mind. |
| Some women prefer delayed breast reconstruction, | | | | |