Transcript

Okay, well reconstruction is commonly done usually when a patient has a total mastectomy. So, it’s not done when a patient has a partial mastectomy. Although, more and more if there is a significant deformity when a patient has a partial mastectomy, something can be done about it. But, in terms of the immediate versus later reconstruction, some surgeons will offer reconstructions immediately, and some surgeons will advise you to wait.

Now, my bias as a medical oncologist, is that if the patient is going to have chemotherapy, she should wait and have her reconstruction at a later date. My reason for that, and it’s a personal bias, is because sometimes there are complications following reconstruction such as infection or graft rejection. In that case, the patient will have her chemotherapy delayed because of the need for antibiotics, or having her graft or prosthesis removed. There’s concern if chemotherapy is delayed.

The other reason why I think personally that women should not rush into reconstruction is there are many options for reconstruction, it’s not a one size fits all. Women should explore the options available for her, and that may take time, it may take months, she may want to meet more than one plastic surgeon, and this will delay her primary surgery. So, that’s my personal bias.

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