If you are considering risk-reducing mastectomy with reconstruction, you are most likely to be referred straight away to a breast surgeon with expertise in this type of surgery. There are not many surgeons who carry out breast reconstruction operations in the UK. In some hospitals you may have a breast surgeon to do the mastectomy and a reconstructive (plastic) surgeon who is skilled in a particular type of reconstruction. If you are considering risk-reducing mastectomy, they usually work as part of a team that can look after you from start to finish; helping you make decisions and supporting you along whatever path you decide to take.

You may have been referred to the surgeon directly by your GP or by a genetics unit. The team to support and take you through your options may consist of some or all of the following:

• clinical geneticist/genetic counsellor
• psychologist
• surgeon(s)
• clinical nurse specialist associated with the breast clinic.

The clinical nurse specialist works with the whole team to give you full support before, during and after the surgery if you decide to go ahead.

Questions to ask your surgeon

• What types of reconstruction do you think would be suitable for me?
• What are the different types of implants used?
• What are the chances of me needing a blood transfusion?
• What are the risks/complications of the different types of surgery and what are the chances of them happening
• What are my options regarding nipple reconstruction?
• Can I choose the reconstruction size?
• Are there any before and after pictures that I can see?
• Where will the scars be?
• How long will the operation take?
• How long will I be in hospital?
• How long will it take before I can go back to normal everyday activity?
• How will the breast feel to touch?
• Will I still need to have breast screening?
• How long would I have to wait before I could have the surgery?
• Is this available on the NHS?

You may find the answers to some of these questions in the following sections, but it is still advisable to check them with your surgeon as there may be slight differences. There is a list of common questions and answers in this section that answer some of these questions.