“A very professional, attentive and humane physician. He explains the treatment to follow in detail.”
Reconstructive surgery
Breast reconstruction in Merida, Mexico
Rebuilding the breast after mastectomy for cancer, with an implant or with your own tissue. By Dr. José Antonio Orozco Gómez, plastic surgeon board-certified by the CMCPER, in coordination with your oncology team. It can be done at the time of the mastectomy or years later: there is no single correct window.
The treatment
What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is the set of procedures that restore breast shape after a total or partial mastectomy for cancer. It is not cosmetic surgery: it is part of comprehensive cancer care, and is recognised as such in international clinical guidelines.
It can be done with an implant, with your own tissue from the abdomen or back — called a flap — or with a combination. It almost always takes more than one stage.
Timing
When can reconstruction happen?
Immediate reconstruction
At the same time as the mastectomy. It preserves the skin envelope and means you wake with a breast shape, which many patients describe as an important emotional difference. It requires planning with your breast surgeon in advance.
Delayed reconstruction
Months or years later, once radiotherapy and chemotherapy are complete. This is the route when the oncology plan did not allow immediate reconstruction, when it was not discussed at the time, or when the patient preferred to wait.
It is never too late. Reconstruction is possible five, ten or fifteen years after a mastectomy. Many patients arrive believing they missed their chance. They have not.
Options
Reconstruction options
| Technique | What it involves | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Expander + implant | A tissue expander is filled progressively in the clinic, then exchanged for the final implant | Two stages. Shorter recovery. Fewer additional scars |
| Direct-to-implant | Implant in a single stage | Requires good skin quality and adequate cover |
| Latissimus dorsi flap | Muscle and skin brought from the back | Useful after radiotherapy. Leaves a back scar |
| Abdominal flap (TRAM / DIEP) | Uses your own abdominal tissue | Natural, durable result. Major surgery, longer recovery |
| Fat grafting | Your own fat to refine contour and improve irradiated skin | Complementary, over several sessions |
| Symmetrisation | Adjusting the opposite breast for balance | Common in the final stage |
| Nipple-areola reconstruction | Graft, local flap or medical tattooing | Final stage, outpatient |
If you had radiotherapy
Radiotherapy changes skin and tissue: it becomes less elastic and less well supplied with blood. In irradiated patients, reconstruction with your own tissue is often preferred, because it brings healthy, well-vascularised tissue into a compromised area. It is decided case by case.
How it fits with your cancer treatment
Reconstruction never takes precedence over cancer treatment. The sequence is agreed between your oncologist, your breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon, and the principle is always the same: disease control first, reconstruction after.
If you are in active treatment, a plastic surgery consultation lets you know what options you will have and when, even if surgery is a year away. Arriving at that decision informed changes the experience considerably.
Reviews
Patient reviews
“From the assessment I could see how professional he is. Always on top of messages and calls and clearing up every doubt. I recommend him completely.”
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is breast reconstruction cosmetic surgery?
No. It is part of comprehensive breast cancer care and is recognised as such in clinical guidelines. Its purpose is to restore a structure lost to disease, not to modify a healthy one.
How long after a mastectomy should I wait?
It depends on your oncology plan. It can be at the same time as the mastectomy, or months after finishing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. If years have already passed, it remains possible: there is no deadline that closes the door.
Does reconstruction interfere with detecting a recurrence?
It does not prevent oncological surveillance. Follow-up continues with your oncologist using imaging appropriate for a reconstructed breast. This is a frequent concern and the answer is clear: reconstruction does not hide a recurrence.
How many surgeries will I need?
Usually two to three stages, months apart: rebuilding the volume, symmetrising the other breast, and reconstructing the nipple and areola. They are planned in advance so you have the full map from the start.
Will sensation return?
Sensation in reconstructed skin is usually partial and slow to appear; in some areas it does not return. It is important to know this from the outset: reconstruction restores shape and volume, not full sensation.
How is the cost of breast reconstruction set?
It is set at your consultation and depends on the technique, the number of surgical stages, hospital days and the materials used. You receive a written quote for each stage.