Pros and cons of different types of breast reconstruction

Reconstruction type	Pros	Cons
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
LD flap	More natural look, feel and movement compared with implants only Some change in size with weight gain or loss ‘Ages’ more naturally than implants only	Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants More than one scar Not as much of a change in size with weight gain or loss, compared with TRAM or DIEP flap May affect movement of muscles in the back and arm
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
DIEP flap	TRAM and DIEP have the most natural look, feel and movement Usually suitable for women with larger breasts ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body Less affect on the abdominal muscles compared with TRAM	Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants More complex surgery than TRAM More than one scar
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

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Last updated 20 October 2020

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