Mastectomy and breast reconstruction - what to ask your doctor
Mastectomy - what to ask your doctor; Breast reconstruction - what to ask your doctor; TRAM flap - what to ask your doctor; Latissimus dorsi flap - what to ask your doctor; What to ask your doctor about mastectomy and breast reconstruction; Breast cancer - mastectomy - what to ask your doctorYou may be having a mastectomy. This is surgery to remove your breast. Most often, a mastectomy is done to treat breast cancer. Sometimes, it is done to prevent cancer in women who have a high risk of getting breast cancer in the future. You may also have breast reconstruction. This is surgery to create a new breast after a mastectomy.
Below are questions you may want to ask your surgeon about mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
- Questions
What is the best treatment for my type of breast cancer?
- Do I need to have surgery or will other treatments work? Do I have a choice of what type of surgery to have?
- What types of cancer treatment will I need before or after surgery? Will these treatments be different depending on the type of surgery I have?
- Will one type of breast surgery work better for my breast cancer?
- Will I need to have radiation therapy?
- Will I need to have chemotherapy?
- Will I need to have hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy?
- What is my risk of getting cancer in the other breast?
- Should I have my other breast removed?
What are the different types of mastectomy?
- How is the scar different with these surgeries?
- Is there a difference in how much pain I will have afterward?
- Is there a difference in how long it will take to get better?
- Will any of my chest muscles be removed?
- Will any lymph nodes under my arm be removed?
What are the risks of the type of mastectomy I will have?
- Will I have shoulder pain?
- Will I have swelling in my arm?
- Will I be able to do the work and sports activities that I want to?
- For which of my medical problems (such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure) do I need to see my primary care or other health care provider before my surgery?
Can I have surgery to create a new breast after my mastectomy (breast reconstruction)?
- What is the difference between natural tissue and implants? Which choice will look more like a natural breast?
- Can I have breast reconstruction during the same surgery as my mastectomy? If not, how long do I need to wait?
- Will the reconstruction be done all at once or take multiple surgeries?
- Will I have a nipple?
- Will I have feeling in my new breast?
- What are the risks of each type of breast reconstruction?
- If I do not have reconstruction, what are my options? Can I wear a prosthesis?
- Does my insurance pay for my reconstruction?
How can I get my home ready before I even go to the hospital?
- How much help will I need when I come home? Will I be able to get out of bed without help?
- How do I make sure my home will be safe for me?
- What type of supplies will I need when I get home?
- Do I need to rearrange my home?
How can I prepare myself emotionally for the surgery? What types of feelings can I expect to have? Can I talk with people who have had a mastectomy?
What medicines should I take the day of the surgery? Are there any medicines I should not take on the day of the surgery?
What will the surgery and my stay in the hospital be like?
- How long will the surgery last?
- What type of anesthesia will be used? Are there choices to consider?
- Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery? If so, what will be done to relieve the pain?
- How soon will I be getting up and moving around?
What will it be like when I go home?
- What will my wound be like? How do I take care of it? When can I shower or bathe?
- Will I have any drains to drain fluid from my surgical site?
- Will I have much pain? What medicines can I take for the pain?
- When can I start using my arm? Are there exercises I should do?
- When will I be able to drive?
- When will I be able to return to work?
What kind of bra or other support top should I wear? Where can I buy it?
References
American Cancer Society website. Surgery for breast cancer. www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer.html. Updated January 11, 2023. Accessed February 24, 2025.
Davidson NE. Breast cancer and benign breast disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 183.
Klimberg VS, Hunt KK. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 34.
Macmillan RD. Mastectomy. In: Dixon JM, Barber MD, eds. Breast Surgery: A Companion to Specialist Surgical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:112-121.
National Cancer Institute website. Breast reconstruction after mastectomy. www.cancer.gov/types/breast/reconstruction-fact-sheet. Updated February 24, 2017. Accessed February 25, 2025.