Ask The Doctor-Is it Possible to Perform Breast Reconstruction 28 Years after Mastectomy

White flowerThis week , James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: Is it possible to provide a reconstructive breast to a 28+ years left radiate then mastectomy-cancer x 2 in that breast?

Answer: Thanks for your question. Yes it is possible to perform breast reconstruction 28 years after mastectomy, radiation and other treatments. There are no definite time limitations. Personally I recently had a patient who waited 22 years before having reconstruction.  Some, but not all, important factors we may consider when we evaluate someone for breast reconstruction are: overall health (other medical conditions), weight, no tobacco smoking and successful surgery to remove the cancer. I hope that I answered your question.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!