Doctors differ in their views about the best timing for breast reconstruction. Most prefer to do it at the same time as the initial breast cancer surgery. Other doctors believe it is important to wait for a while, possibly a year or more after having a breast removed, if radiotherapy is being considered after mastectomy. Waiting before the reconstruction may also give a woman time to come to terms with the emotional effects of the cancer.

If you have had radiotherapy after the initial surgery to remove the breast, you will have to wait for some months to have reconstruction. This is to let the skin in the treated area completely recover. Otherwise, there is no physical or medical reason to wait to have the reconstruction.

If you think that you might want to have breast reconstruction, it is a good idea to discuss this with your surgeon before your initial operation.  You do not have to make a definite decision at this early stage, but it will help the surgeon decide on the way the initial surgery is carried out.

Some women find that reconstruction carried out at the same time as their initial surgery, helps them to cope with the emotions that are normally associated with the loss of a breast, and to get back to a normal life again.

If you are interested in having an immediate reconstruction, you should discuss this with your surgeon, who will tell you if it can be done. They may still recommend a delay, particularly if you are likely to have radiotherapy.

It is also important to mention that there may be a waiting list if you choose to delay having breast reconstructive surgery. This is due to the limited number of surgeons who can do this type of specialised surgery.

Some women find that after a while they are not as upset by having a mastectomy as they had expected and they do not wish to have further surgery. In this situation you can choose to wear a false breast (prosthesis). Cancerbackup can send you information about external breast prostheses.

If you have made arrangements to have a reconstruction at a later date, but then feel that you do not want to have any further surgery, it is fine to change your mind. It is important that you feel completely happy with any decision that you make and you can discuss it with your surgeon, breast care nurse or one of the support organisations.