Comparing implant to flap reconstruction
Implant | Flap | |
|---|---|---|
Surgery length and hospital stay | Implant surgery is shorter and less complex than flap surgery. | Flap surgery is longer and more complex than implant surgery. |
Surgery scar on your skin | It does not cause more scars besides the mastectomy scar. | Flaps leave more than 1 scar – one where the tissue was taken (belly, back, leg, or bottom) and 1 on the breast. These areas will look different than they did before. |
Risk of developing cancer later | Does not increase the risk of developing cancer | |
Risk of hernia or muscle weakness | There is no risk of muscle weakness in another part of your body. | Flaps can cause problems such as a hernia, bulge, or weakness in the spot where your surgeon took the tissue (belly, back, leg, or bottom). |
Recovery | You may recover more quickly. | It may take longer to recover. |
Ability to get the surgery | It might not be a good option if you have had or will have radiation treatments for breast cancer. | It might not be an option for you, depending on your body and health. |
Look and feel | Your breast might not feel or move like a natural breast. Reconstruction does not restore skin sensation or breastfeeding. | Your breast may have a more natural shape than with implants. It may be easier to match the look of a flap to the healthy breast on the other side, compared to implants. Reconstruction does not restore skin sensation or breastfeeding. |
Risk of replacement | Implants might leak, deflate, or change shape from scar tissue over many years. They may then need to be fixed or replaced. | Flaps do not need to be replaced. They do not leak or break. |
Risk of systemic (whole body) symptoms | Some people have experienced symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, rash, 'brain fog,' and joint pain that may be related to breast implants. For more information go to FDA.gov | There is no risk of systemic (whole body) symptoms caused by your own tissue. |
Talk to your doctor about which surgeries might work for you.
See before and after photos of people who’ve had breast reconstruction
These medical images show nudity (bare breasts) and surgical scars or changes to the body after surgery. These images are for education and may help people understand what to expect before or after surgery. Some people may find these images upsetting or uncomfortable. You can choose to skip these images if you prefer.