Questions to Ask Your Surgeon About Breast Reconstruction

Should I have breast reconstruction?
What are the alternatives to breast reconstruction?
What are all my options for breast reconstruction?
What are the risks and complications of each type of breast reconstruction surgery, and how common are they?
What gives the breast its shape?
What if my cancer recurs or occurs in the other breast?
Will reconstruction interfere with my cancer treatment?
How many steps are there in each procedure, and what are they?
How long will it take to complete my reconstruction?
How much experience do you have with each procedure?
Do you have before and after photos I can look at for each procedure? Can you show me pictures of what results are reasonable for me?
What will my scars look like?
What is the estimated total cost of each procedure?
How much pain or discomfort will I feel, and for how long?
How long will I be in the hospital?
Will I need blood transfusions, and can I donate my own blood?
When will I be able to resume my normal activity (or sexual activity, or athletic activity)?

If you are going to have implants, also ask the following questions:

Are there different styles of breast implants?
Who is eligible for saline-filled breast implants?
Who is eligible for gel-filled breast implants?
What changes can I expect over time in my implanted breast/s?
What kind of changes in my implanted breast/s can I expect with pregnancy?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of the implant/s?
Would you suggest other patients I could talk to about their experiences?
Are breast implants permanent?
Can I have a mammogram if I have a breast implant?
Do breast implants interfere with radiation therapy?
Can I breast-feed with breast implants?
Will the feeling in my breast or my nipple change?
What is capsular contracture?
Why does the body form a capsule around the implant?
What causes a breast implant to deflate or rupture?
Is breast augmentation painful?
What type of anesthesia is used?
What are the major problems with breast implants?
What are the contraindications, warnings, and precautions I should consider?
Do silicone implants cause major disease?
If I experience a problem, whom should I call?