This operation means that you have a silicone gel or salt water filled silicone balloon to recreate a breast shape after removal of a breast.
- Advantages:
- Reconstruction with an implant is simpler than other types of reconstruction.
- It causes less scarring because tissue isn’t normally taken from other areas of the body.
- It gives a reasonable shape for small or medium sized breasts.
- The reconstructed breast doesn’t change in size if you gain or lose weight.
- Disadvantages:
- The implant is a foreign body so you are more likely to have long term problems compared to other types of reconstruction using your own tissue.
- The implant feels less natural, colder and less mobile than a body tissue reconstruction.
- You are more likely to have problems if you have had radiotherapy or are going to have it afterwards.
- This might not be possible if you have had radiotherapy or your chest wall skin isn’t healthy.
- You might need two operations: one to stretch the skin, and the other to put a silicone implant in.
- You may notice wrinkling under the skin
