Breast reconstruction after breast cancer

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure in which the breast is reshaped or rebuilt as part of breast cancer treatment. Reconstruction can be performed either at the same time as the cancer surgery or at a later stage, depending on the treatment plan and your personal wishes. Not every breast cancer operation requires complete reconstruction. Thanks to modern early detection methods, it is often possible today to preserve the breast, meaning that reconstruction is not always necessary. In some cases, smaller corrective procedures are sufficient to improve shape and symmetry. Whether or not reconstruction is performed is entirely your decision. Regardless of age and individual circumstances, various options for breast reconstruction are available.

Which option is most suitable for you depends, among other things, on the type of surgery, possible additional treatments such as radiotherapy, and the desired timing of reconstruction.

Our plastic reconstructive surgeons are by your side from the very beginning.

At Affidea brustCare, your breast cancer surgery is carefully planned together with an experienced plastic reconstructive surgeon. This allows oncological and reconstructive aspects to be optimally coordinated. Before treatment, we take the time to discuss all options with you so that you can make a decision that feels right for you.

We offer a comprehensive range of proven and evidence-based breast reconstruction techniques. Our specialized team discusses all available options with you, including their benefits and risks, and works towards restoring a natural breast shape in line with your personal wishes.

The following breast reconstruction options are available:

• Implants or expanders – In implant-based reconstruction, the breast is rebuilt using silicone implants. In many cases, a tissue expander is inserted first to gradually stretch the tissue before the final implant is placed.
• Autologous tissue reconstruction – This approach uses the patient’s own tissue, for example from the abdomen, thigh, or buttocks. This microsurgical technique is considered particularly natural, as both the shape and feel of the breast closely resemble the original.
• Additional procedures for symmetry and shape correction – To achieve a harmonious overall result, corrective procedures on the opposite breast (such as lifting or reduction), revision surgeries to improve the outcome, or reconstruction of the nipple and areola may be appropriate.

Our leading surgeons include specialists in microsurgical procedures. These highly advanced techniques enable innovative tissue transfers for breast reconstruction and are offered exclusively at specialized clinics.

Which method is best suited for your breast reconstruction will be discussed together during your consultation. We take your individual wishes and medical circumstances into account in order to find the approach that is best tailored to you. The goal is to achieve a result that combines shape, natural appearance, and function as optimally as possible.

When selecting the method, factors such as recovery time, scarring, the natural appearance of the breast, the longevity of the result, possible future pregnancies, and any additional required treatments such as radiotherapy are considered to ensure an optimally personalized solution.

The exact course of your procedure depends on the method chosen and the timing of reconstruction. Delayed reconstruction can be performed months or even years after your initial breast cancer surgery. Immediate reconstruction, on the other hand, takes place during the same surgical procedure.

Before surgery

Your treatment team (breast surgery and plastic surgery) plans your operation together. The team carefully considers how to remove the tumour most effectively, preserve healthy tissue, and restore a breast that looks as natural as possible.

All options are discussed with you in detail. This often leads to questions such as:

• How long does the recovery phase take?
• What are the risks of the different methods?
• What will my new breast look and feel like?
• Where will scars remain after surgery?
• How does reconstruction affect other necessary treatments?
• What additional surgeries might be required in the future?

During surgery

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. Depending on the procedure and the type of reconstruction chosen, surgery can take approximately two to six hours.

After surgery, you will remain in hospital to recover. Following expander or implant-based reconstruction, a hospital stay of around two days is typical, and up to five days after autologous tissue reconstruction.

After surgery

After discharge from hospital, you will continue your recovery at home. Some side effects or discomfort may occur during the healing process after breast reconstruction. Before discharge, appointments for outpatient follow-up, wound checks, and discussion of the results will already be arranged. The majority of patients are able to return to everyday activities after about two weeks.

In Switzerland, the costs of breast reconstruction after breast cancer or mastectomy are usually covered by your health insurance provider. This also includes:  

• Repeated operations to correct complications, such as hardening of a breast implant after breast cancer surgery
• A corrective procedure on the healthy breast to restore symmetry  
• Risk-reducing mastectomy and reconstruction for individuals with high-risk genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1 and STK11

A separate cost approval is required for certain procedures. Your treatment team will assist you through all the formalities.