Reconstructive breast surgery

Your surgeon takes skin, fat, and sometimes muscle (a flap) from another part of your body and makes it into a breast shape. The flap needs a good blood supply or the tissue will die. Your surgeon will leave the body tissue connected to its original blood vessels, or they can cut the blood vessels and reconnect them to blood vessels under your arm or in your chest wall.

DIEP flap might suit you if:

• you have large breasts
• you've had radiotherapy
• you had a radical mastectomy that also removed your chest muscle
• you have a tight mastectomy scar
• you want a softer and more realistic feel than a silicone implant might provide

Your consultant will tell you how to prepare for this procedure. You may not be able to have this type of surgery if you have diabetes, are a heavy smoker, or are very overweight.

Your consultant will tell you when you should be able to to resume your normal routine. In the meantime you'll need to do some exercises to get your arm and shoulder moving properly again. You will be shown what exercises to do and when to do them.

Your bra can often help to support and mould the reconstruction and your surgeon can advise you about this.