Women who have had a breast removed may opt to wear a prosthesis in their bra or to have a breast reconstruction. In this surgery, a plastic surgeon will sculpt a new breast using either a synthetic breast implant or the patient’s own tissue. In some cases, this is performed during the same surgery in which the breast is removed. In other cases, the reconstruction will be scheduled for a later date.

Breast reconstruction will help create an artificial breast that looks similar to a natural breast, particularly under clothing and in silhouette. However, the new breast will not look exactly like a natural breast, and some asymmetry may be evident between a new breast and a remaining natural breast. In addition, women who have breast reconstruction will not experience normal sensation in their breasts.