Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is very common. Breast reconstruction often has a better result when the nipple areola complex is preserved.
In patients who do not have a ptotic breast, the mastectomy can often be performed from an infra-mammary incision.
At the time of the mastectomy, a tissue expander is placed. After the skin has healed the expander is removed and a mammary prosthesis or breast implant is placed.