Satisfaction With the Cosmetic Results of Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breasts that look balanced — called symmetry — is the most important outcome for many people who have reconstruction. ¹ Other factors that can influence how satisfied people are with breast reconstruction results include whether the breasts look healthy, breast size and shape, and scar appearance and location. 

Although plastic surgeons work to achieve your desired results, you might not be completely satisfied with the way your reconstructed breast looks.

Your new breast or breasts may not live up to your expectations for size, position, angle, or balance. Your new breast might be larger or smaller than you thought it would be. It might not feel as soft or as natural as you thought it would. You probably won't have any sensation in a breast that’s been reconstructed with an implant and little sensation in a breast that’s had autologous reconstruction.

The best way to make sure you’re as satisfied as possible with your reconstructed breast is to talk to your breast surgeon and plastic surgeon about what you want. It’s also important to talk to your breast surgeon because the location of incisions to remove the breast can affect the breast reconstruction results.

You may find it helpful to see photos of others who’ve had the reconstruction procedure you’re having. It may also be helpful to speak with others who’ve had the same procedure you’re having to see if they’re satisfied with their results. 

If you’re not completely satisfied with your breast reconstruction results, talk with your plastic surgeon and medical team. There are various corrective procedures that your surgeon might be able to recommend to you.

Right after surgery, the reconstructed breast is usually a bit larger because of swelling from surgery. As you heal, the swelling goes down and the reconstructed breast should be closer in size to the other breast. If there is still noticeable difference, your surgeon can remove some fat from the reconstructed side to make them more symmetrical.

A breast reconstructed with an implant doesn’t gain and lose weight if you do. If you have an implant and gain weight, your surgeon may exchange the original implant for a larger one to restore symmetry. A breast reconstructed with a flap — tissue from another place on your body — gains and loses weight as you do. Still, a significant gain or loss may create an imbalance between a breast reconstructed with a flap and the other breast.

It’s difficult to match the natural droop of your original breast. A breast reconstructed with a flap may develop some sag with time, but a breast reconstructed with an implant rarely sags. Over time, your other breast may sag while the reconstructed breast stays higher and firmer. When you’re wearing a bra or swimsuit, it may not be noticeable, but when you’re naked, it might bother you. If so, your surgeon can reduce and lift the other breast to match the reconstructed breast.

Learn more about surgery to alter the other breast.

It’s possible for there to be complications after breast reconstruction, such as an implant that ruptures or an area of a flap reconstruction that doesn’t receive enough blood flow. If you have complications after breast reconstruction, you may be able to get corrective surgery.