A good consultation is a conversation, and the right questions help you make an informed choice about breast reconstruction. This article suggests questions worth asking your surgeon. It is general educational information, not medical advice.
About your options
Ask which types of reconstruction suit your situation and why — implant-based or flap-based, immediate or delayed, single-stage or two-stage. Understanding why one approach is recommended for you is as important as the recommendation itself.
About technique and materials
Ask whether the implant would sit above or below the muscle (prepectoral vs. subpectoral), whether a biological matrix would be used, and whether fat grafting is part of the plan. It is reasonable to ask about the specific materials and their evidence.
About risks and recovery
Ask about the risks in your specific case — including how factors like smoking or radiotherapy affect them — and what recovery typically looks like. Realistic expectations reduce anxiety and disappointment.
About experience and outcomes
Ask about the surgeon’s experience with the recommended technique and how results are followed, including patient-reported outcomes. Seeing examples and understanding how success is measured can help you weigh your options.
The bottom line
Good questions cover your options, the technique and materials, your individual risks and recovery, and your surgeon’s experience. Reconstruction is a shared decision, and the more you understand, the more confident that decision will be.
This article is general educational information, not medical advice. Your surgical team’s guidance is specific to you.
