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Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction Treatment in Delafield

Post-mastectomy reconstruction describes the patient state of having absent, partial, or asymmetric breast tissue following surgery for breast cancer, such as mastectomy or lumpectomy. After breast cancer surgery, some people are left with a flat or uneven chest, a contour defect, or differences between the two breasts. This state often prompts consideration of breast reconstruction, which rebuilds the shape and appearance of the breast. Reconstruction may be performed at the same time as cancer surgery (immediate) or months to years afterward (delayed). The decision is personal: many people pursue reconstruction, while others choose to remain without it ("going flat"). Under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA), group health plans in the United States that cover mastectomy are required to also cover breast reconstruction and related procedures.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Updated May 2026

At a Glance

Breast reconstruction rebuilds the shape of the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy and can be done with implants, a person's own tissue, or a combination of both[1]
Reconstruction may be performed immediately at the time of cancer surgery or delayed until months or years afterward[2]
Under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, U.S. group health plans that cover mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction, surgery on the opposite breast for symmetry, and external prostheses[5]
Choosing reconstruction is a personal decision; some people pursue it while others choose to remain without reconstruction, with or without an external breast prosthesis[2]

Signs & symptoms

  • Absence of one or both breasts after mastectomy
  • A flat or concave chest contour where breast tissue was removed
  • Asymmetry between the two breasts after lumpectomy or single mastectomy
  • A contour deformity, dent, or divot at the surgical site
  • Loss of the nipple and areola following surgery
  • Skin tightness, scarring, or changes in skin sensation at the chest
  • Difficulty fitting clothing or wearing an external breast form (prosthesis)
  • Psychological distress, altered body image, or reduced confidence

What causes Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction

  • Total mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) for breast cancer treatment
  • Skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomy
  • Double (bilateral) mastectomy
  • Lumpectomy or partial mastectomy that removes a portion of breast tissue
  • Prophylactic (risk-reducing) mastectomy in people at high genetic risk
  • Tissue loss or contour changes following radiation therapy to the chest
  • Complications of prior breast surgery requiring revision or reconstruction

Risk factors

  • Diagnosis of breast cancer requiring mastectomy or lumpectomy
  • Inherited gene mutations (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2) leading to risk-reducing mastectomy
  • Strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • Prior chest radiation therapy
  • Larger tumors or cancers requiring removal of more breast tissue
  • Personal preference for restoring breast shape after cancer surgery

How it's assessed

  1. Clinical examination of the chest, surgical site, and remaining breast tissue
  2. Review of cancer surgery history, including type of mastectomy or lumpectomy
  3. Assessment of skin quality, scarring, and prior radiation effects
  4. Evaluation of available donor tissue for flap-based reconstruction
  5. Photographic documentation to plan symmetry and reconstruction approach
  6. Discussion of reconstruction timing (immediate versus delayed) with the surgical team

How is Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction treated

Several approaches can address post-mastectomy reconstruction:

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Recovery & outlook

  • Reconstruction can be performed immediately with cancer surgery or delayed by months to years
  • Outcomes vary by reconstruction method, body type, and whether radiation was given
  • Reconstruction restores breast shape but does not restore the lost sensation or function of the original breast
  • Many people report improved body image and quality of life after reconstruction
  • Multiple stages or revision procedures are often part of completing reconstruction
  • The need for reconstruction does not affect cancer outcomes or surveillance

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild the shape and appearance of the breast after it has been removed by mastectomy or altered by lumpectomy. It can use breast implants, a person's own tissue from another part of the body (a flap), or a combination. Reconstruction restores the breast's shape but does not restore the original sensation or function of the breast.
  • People who have had or will have a mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer, and some people having risk-reducing (prophylactic) mastectomy, may consider reconstruction. Candidacy depends on factors such as overall health, the type of cancer surgery, prior radiation, and personal preference. A surgical team can review the options with each person.
  • Reconstruction can be immediate, performed during the same operation as the mastectomy, or delayed until months or years after cancer treatment is complete. The best timing depends on the cancer treatment plan, whether radiation is needed, and individual preferences. Some people complete reconstruction over several stages.
  • The main approaches are implant-based reconstruction, which uses a saline or silicone implant, and autologous (flap) reconstruction, which uses the person's own skin, fat, and sometimes muscle from areas such as the abdomen or back. The two approaches can be combined, and fat grafting may be used to refine the result. Nipple reconstruction or tattooing can complete the appearance.
  • In the United States, the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires group health plans that cover mastectomy to also cover breast reconstruction, surgery on the other breast to create symmetry, breast prostheses, and treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy. Coverage details vary by plan, so individuals should confirm specifics with their insurer.
  • No. Breast reconstruction is a personal choice. Some people choose to have reconstruction, while others decide to remain without it, an option often called "going flat." Those who do not reconstruct may use an external breast form (prosthesis) or choose to wear nothing. A surgical team can discuss the options without pressure either way.
  • Fat grafting, also called fat transfer, takes fat from one part of the body through liposuction and injects it into the reconstructed breast. It is often used to smooth contour irregularities, fill in defects, or add volume as part of completing or refining a reconstruction. It may be combined with implant or flap reconstruction.
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Dr. Lucas BoehmBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.

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Sources & references

This article draws on 6 sources, including leading medical institutions.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-06-13