Breast Reconstruction Pathways
Reconstruction can be done with implants, your own tissue, or a combination of both. Each method has its own benefits, recovery needs, and results. Learn about your options so you can choose what feels right for your healing journey.
Overview
If you choose breast reconstruction after mastectomy, you’ll find there are many different ways forward. Reconstruction isn’t just one procedure—it’s a series of options, decisions, and steps that can unfold over time. Your pathway may look different from someone else’s, and that’s okay. What matters most is that you feel informed, supported, and confident in your choices.
At Coastal Hope for Healing, we’re here to walk beside you. This section explains the main approaches to reconstruction, what makes them different, and how they may fit into your healing journey.
What You’ll Learn Here
In this section, you’ll discover the three main reconstruction pathways:
Implant-Based Reconstruction – using expanders and/or implants to rebuild the breast.
Tissue-Based Reconstruction – using your own skin and fat, often from the abdomen, back, or thighs.
Hybrid Reconstruction – combining natural tissue with an implant for added volume or shape.
Each pathway has its own benefits, recovery time, and long-term considerations. Understanding these options will help you decide which path feels best for your body and your life.
Timing Matters Too
Reconstruction can happen:
Immediately – at the same time as your mastectomy.
Delayed – months or years later, once other treatments are complete.
Your care team will help guide you through timing based on your diagnosis and personal preferences.
A Personal Choice
Some women want reconstruction right away. Others wait, and some decide not to have reconstruction at all. Every path is valid. What’s most important is finding the choice that supports your healing and helps you feel whole.