Helping you discover your
new normal

“My breasts are awesome! They are not perfect.There's scars, and I'm fine with the scars. I feel confident and I love them!”

TARA

Actual Canadian patient. Individual results may vary.

The choice is yours

You have a choice in how you move through the breast reconstruction process. If you decide to have breast reconstruction surgery with implants, Natrelle® Inspira® offers a wide range of implants to select from with matching breast tissue expanders designed to help meet your expectations.

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Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction recreates the shape of the breasts following breast cancer surgery. There have been significant medical advances in the breast reconstruction process both in terms of the surgical techniques and products that are used. These advances have provided women with better aesthetic outcomes. Natrelle® Inspira® offers a 5th generation silicone gel implant, the latest breast implant technology available. Learn more about Natrelle® Inspira® here.

Your reconstruction journey

Your breasts consist of milk ducts and glands, which sit on top of your chest muscles. The surrounding fatty tissue provides the shape of your breasts. Breast cancer surgery can significantly change this shape, depending on how much breast tissue and skin is removed, and how much tissue reaction or scarring remains in response to the surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Talk to your plastic surgeon about the fullness you want for your breast reconstruction—whether it is the same amount you had before your mastectomy or something different. Your final look depends on many factors, including how much breast tissue you have after your mastectomy. Your surgeon can help you choose the best option based on your needs, wants, unique body structure, and more.

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Breast reconstruction coverage

In Canada, breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy for cancer is covered by most provincial and territorial health plans. The amount and type of coverage does vary across Canada. Check your provincial health insurance plan to see what type of coverage you have before having breast reconstruction.

Initial consultation

It's recommended that you start discussing your breast reconstruction options with your surgeon at the onset of your breast cancer treatment. The type of reconstruction, timing, and use of breast tissue expanders are all variable, and exploring your options early on with your surgeon will help you make the best choice.

Timing of surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date — both with their advantages and disadvantages.

IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

The advantage of immediate breast reconstruction is the need for only one operation for both the breast cancer surgery and the reconstruction. It’s a longer operation but helps avoid the experience of having one or no breasts after the mastectomy.

DELAYED BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

The advantage of delaying breast reconstruction surgery is that it allows more time to work on your breast cancer recovery and to put thought into your breast reconstruction options. Choosing to delay it, however, may mean you will have to wait several weeks or months before being able to return to your natural body shape.

Breast reconstruction
options

Breast reconstruction can be done with a breast implant or your own tissue, or by using a combination of the two. Your surgeon will help you choose the best option based on your specific needs.

WITH YOUR OWN TISSUE 
(AUTOLOGOUS)

With breast reconstruction using your own tissue, the surgeon may use your own fat, skin, and muscle tissue, usually from your back or abdomen, to reconstruct your breast.

WITH A BREAST IMPLANT 
(ALLOPLASTIC)

In breast reconstruction surgery with implants, the surgeon uses a breast implant that is placed under the chest muscles to reconstruct your breast. In some cases, an inflatable breast tissue expander is needed to stretch the skin before the final implant can be placed.

WITH YOUR OWN TISSUE AND A BREAST IMPLANT

In some cases, a combination of both techniques may be recommended. Your plastic surgeon may also suggest the use of a breast tissue expander or a fat transfer as part of your breast reconstruction surgery to fill in any contour irregularities or slightly increase size.

Reconstruction with implants

Breast reconstruction surgery with implants can be performed in one or two stages.

ONE-STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Sometimes the mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery with implants can both be carried out in one procedure. Not everyone will be a candidate for this procedure, and it should be discussed with your surgeon.

TWO-STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

After the mastectomy, a temporary, inflatable silicone balloon-type device called a breast tissue expander is inserted into the chest and gradually filled with saline to stretch the skin. This creates the room needed for the permanent implant to be inserted during a later surgery.

BEFORE MASTECTOMY
PLACED BREAST TISSUE EXPANDER
INFLATED BREAST TISSUE EXPANDER

BEFORE MASTECTOMY

PLACED BREAST
TISSUE EXPANDER

INFLATED BREAST
TISSUE EXPANDER

Introducing Natrelle® 133S tissue expanders

After a mastectomy, a breast tissue expander may be used to help stretch out the skin and tissue to accommodate the breast implant. An inflatable silicone balloon-type expander is inserted into the chest and gradually filled with saline to stretch the skin, similar to the stretching of the abdominal skin during pregnancy. This creates the room needed for the permanent implant to be inserted during a later surgery.

Breast implant placement options

The breast implant can be placed either completely or partially under the pectoralis major ‘pec’ muscle (submuscular or dual plane, respectively) or on top of the muscle and under the skin and any breast glands (prepectoral). Your surgeon will help you decide which breast implant placement option is best for you based on your goals and breast type.

Breast before
mastectomy

Breast after
prepectoral
reconstruction

Breast after
submuscular
reconstruction

Post surgery and recovery

Your experience during breast reconstruction recovery is directly affected by what happens during your surgery. Shorter recovery times are now more common, thanks to advances in surgical techniques.

Start your
breast reconstruction
journey today

“Prior to the whole breast cancer reconstruction, it was just all about being busy. I'm more about making memories and experiences now than just going through the rhythm of life. I travel a lot more, I go out, I have fun and I’ve found the person that I've always wanted to be, and I couldn't be happier.”

TARA

Start your
breast reconstruction
journey today

Actual Canadian patient. Individual results may vary.

Before and after restoring the breast

See before and after photos from real Natrelle® Inspira® implant
breast reconstruction patients.

Mid shot of a woman's breasts before breast augmentation surgery BEFORE
Mid shot of a woman's breasts after breast augmentation surgery AFTER
Side shot of a woman's breasts before breast augmentation surgery BEFORE
Side shot of a woman's breasts before breast augmentation surgery AFTER

Reconstruction with Natrelle® Inspira® Style SSF-520 implants. Photos provided by Dr. Maurice Nahabedian.

Mid shot of a woman's breasts before breast augmentation surgery BEFORE
Mid shot of a woman's breasts after breast augmentation surgery AFTER
Side shot of a woman's breasts before breast augmentation surgery BEFORE
Side shot of a woman's breasts after breast augmentation surgery AFTER

Prepectoral reconstruction with Natrelle® Inspira® Style SCF-415 implants and fat transfer.
Photos provided by Dr. Allen Gabriel.

Mid shot of a woman's breasts before breast reconstruction surgery. BEFORE
Mid shot of a womans breast's after breast reconstruction surgery. AFTER
Side shot of a woman's breasts before breast reconstruction surgery. BEFORE
Side shot of a woman's breasts after breast reconstruction surgery. AFTER

Prepectoral reconstruction with Natrelle® Inspira® Style SCF-650 implants and fat transfer.
Photos provided by Dr. Ritu Chopra.

Actual Natrelle® patients. Individual results may vary.

Helping you stay informed

A breast cancer diagnosis can seem overwhelming, and it's important to remember you're not alone. Staying informed about the latest cancer news and treatments and connecting to other individuals who have experienced similar situations will help you face your treatment with confidence.

A great resource for breast cancer information and support is Rethink Breast Cancer.

VISIT RETHINK BREAST CANCER

Visit the Canadian Cancer Society

Learn about breast cancer, research, support services, and more by visiting the Canadian Cancer Society.

CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY

Frequently asked questions

A surgical procedure to replace breast tissue that has been removed due to cancer or trauma, or that has failed to develop properly due to a severe breast abnormality.

In Canada, breast reconstruction after a mastectomy for cancer is covered by most provincial and territorial health plans. Speak with your surgeon to discuss the options available to you.

The decision to have breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a personal one and may not be an easy one to make. The idea of living without a breast or part of one affects each woman differently, and some choose to restore the balance between their breasts by replacing the skin, tissue, and nipple with breast reconstruction. The surgery is becoming increasingly common, and many women report an increase in self-confidence and emotional well-being, as well as renewed body image and sense of femininity and sexuality.

Yes, you can have breast reconstruction after radiation therapy. The breast reconstruction surgery is usually performed 4 to 6 months after the radiation, but the timing may differ from one person to the next. Talk with your entire breast surgical team to understand your unique situation and what will work best for you and result in the better outcomes.

There is usually some minor discomfort during the first 12 to 24 hours after each tissue expansion. This discomfort often subsides 2 to 3 days after each expansion.

ADM stands for acellular dermal matrix. It is a type of tissue that is sometimes used by surgeons in breast reconstruction surgery to help reinforce and support weak or thin tissue, especially when breast tissue has been removed for a mastectomy.

Each breast reconstruction surgery is unique and can vary in length. Some surgeries can be completed in fewer than 5 hours while others can take upwards of 10 hours. The surgery often begins with various preparation steps, including anesthesia, which may take up to 2 hours. The reconstruction then occurs and can take anywhere between 1 to 6 hours. After the reconstruction, patients usually spend 2 to 3 hours in recovery before they are transferred to a hospital room.

Your experiences during recovery are directly affected by what happens during your surgery, for example, you may or may not have a surgical drain, which can be used to help minimize the collection of fluids during recovery. Shorter recovery times are now more common, thanks to advances in surgical techniques. Initially after surgery, it is generally recommended that you wear a post-operative surgical bra or breast binder to help stabilize the implants. Additionally, you will be required to refrain from vigorous exercise or other activities. For more information on what you can expect during and after your surgery, speak with your surgeon.