Breast Reconstruction Q&A: Miss Alexandra Molina

Q1. Which breast reconstruction surgery is right for me? 

A. After breast cancer, patients often ask what types of breast reconstruction are available, and I broadly break these down into reconstructions which use implants and reconstructions which use the patient's own tissue. The advantage of using the patient's own tissue is that this will provide them with a reconstruction for life. The most common area that we usually take tissue from is the lower abdomen, so there can be some benefits as the operation is quite similar to a tummy tuck, but we use the tissue to make a new breast instead of discarding it. 

Q2. Breast reconstruction at the same time as my mastectomy? 

A. Patients often ask me if they are suitable for a breast reconstruction at the same time as their mastectomy. The answer is often yes, but there may be reasons why immediate reconstruction is not right for you. For some patients, they have complex medical history. Perhaps they're smokers or they're significantly overweight, and it's better to do the reconstruction at a later date. For other patients, it's simply not the right time in life for them, and they may have childcare issues or lack of support at home, which means that it's easier to have the cancer treated first and to come back to the reconstruction later. 

Q3. Recovery expectations 

A. Although breast reconstruction using a patient's own tissue is quite lengthy surgery, the recovery is often better than patients expect. You are able to get up and out of bed the day after surgery and usually only stay in hospital for between one and three nights. After going home from the hospital, you'll be able to make yourself a cup of tea but need some help with the heavier duties around the home. You'll usually return to the hospital seven to 10 days following surgery for a wound check, and the nurses will make sure that everything is healing properly at that stage. 

Q4. When can I return to activities? 

A. Typically, patients can walk from the day after surgery and we encourage patients to walk as much as they like, obviously gradually building things up. It depends on the job as to when you can return to work, but for a light administrative role or perhaps working from home, some patients have returned to work as early as four weeks. If you drive a car, I normally recommend that you start with short journeys at around the one-month mark if your recovery has been uncomplicated. Unfortunately, for activities like Pilates or going to the gym, you will need to wait the full 12 weeks until you return to these.