The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Breast reconstruction
SURGERY TO REBUILD A NEW BREAST SHAPE AFTER A MASTECTOMY
Breast construction is usually offered to women who've had part or all of their breast removed due to cancer
About having a breast reconstruction
A breast reconstruction is usually offered to all women who've had a lump, or one or both breasts removed due to breast cancer.
The timing of the surgery depends on how early your breast cancer is detected and treated. It can either happen at the same time as your breast removal or a later date.
Need to know
There are different types of breast reconstruction surgery. Your consultant will discuss your options with you and let you know the type of surgery that's best for you. This depends on the size of your breasts, how much tissue has been removed and your preference.
The main options for reconstruction are: - silicone gel or saline implants - tissue expansion using an expander placed under the chest and inflated over time - using tissue from your back combined with an implant - using tissue transferred from your lower abdomen
The main options for reconstruction are: - silicone gel or saline implants - tissue expansion using an expander placed under the chest and inflated over time - using tissue from your back combined with an implant - using tissue transferred from your lower abdomen
Your consultant will explain how to prepare before your operation. This might depend on whether you have your surgery at the same time as a mastectomy or at a later time. Your consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking before the surgery.
Make sure you tell your consultant about any medications you're taking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Make sure you tell your consultant about any medications you're taking. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
After surgery, you'll be cared for in hospital for three to seven days, depending on the type of reconstruction you have. You'll have some pain to begin with and will be given pain relief medication to help with this.
You may need some help when you go home and it can take between six weeks and three months to recover. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine.
You may need some help when you go home and it can take between six weeks and three months to recover. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine.
Self-funding
Paying for medical treatment
You don't need medical insurance to have fast access to our top consultants, extensive range of treatments, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures at our leading facilities.
Our Breast reconstruction locations
The Christie Private Care
Wilmslow Road M20 4BX Manchester
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Breast Institute
Women's Health Centre W1G 9QP London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.