Breast implants

• Less surgery and shorter recovery time compared with tissue flap breast reconstructions

• Less natural look, feel  and movement than tissue flap breast reconstructions
• Reconstructed breast sits higher on the chest than a natural breast
• Does not move like a natural breast (e.g. when lying down)
• Does not change in size with weight gain or loss
• Does not ‘age’ with other areas of the body
• Higher risk of  side effects and complications

TRAM flap

• TRAM and DIEP  have the most natural look and feel
• Usually suitable for women with larger breasts
• Changes in size with weight gain or loss
• ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body

• Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
• More than one scar
• Possible weakness of abdominal muscles, with increased risk of hernia

Other tissue flaps

• More natural look, feel  and movement than implants
• ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body

• Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
• More than one scar
• Fewer breast reconstruction surgeons do these procedures