FAQs

Breast reconstruction with implants is performed by open surgery with a scar on the breast or underneath the breast. 

The surgeon removes the breast tissue, preserving the skin and its blood supply and sometimes the nipple also. 

Removing the breast tissue requires the surgeon to work in a small surgical space and an assistant to open the space by retracting (pulling back) the skin. Damage to the blood supply to the breast skin can result in loss of blood supply leading to skin cell death, called skin necrosis. 

This may need further surgery to correct or may result in loss of the implant in some cases. 

Implant reconstruction is a process of care and can require multiple surgeries over the lifetime of the reconstruction to maintain a pleasing cosmetic appearance and to soften scarring around the implant which the body forms, called a capsular contracture.