# Body image after breast surgery and reconstruction

Source: https://onco.cc/terms/body-image-after-breast-surgery/  
OnCo record `body-image-after-breast-surgery` (Term). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

It can take a year for scars, swelling and feelings about a changed body to settle after breast surgery; a prosthesis, reconstruction, no reconstruction, specialist bras and talking to someone who has been through it are all ordinary routes, and none is the right one for everybody.

## Summary

Cancer Research UK says it can take some time to adjust to a new body shape, that scars fade but it may take up to a year for things to settle, that surgery does not affect being able to have sex although feelings may change for a while, and lists mastectomy wear and prosthesis suppliers. NICE NG101 says offer reconstruction to everyone after mastectomy and be aware that some people prefer not to have it. Macmillan says you may decide to wear a prosthesis instead of reconstruction. Breast Cancer Now's Someone Like Me service pairs people with a volunteer who has had a similar experience. This is orientation from public patient pages and guidelines, not advice for your case: your own team's instructions and 24-hour number come first.

## Fields

- Kind: Term
- Last checked: 2026-09-24
- Also known as: body image; living flat; prosthesis

## Sources

- Cancer Research UK: life after breast cancer surgery: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/living-with/life-after-surgery
- NICE NG101: early and locally advanced breast cancer, recommendations (updated 2025): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng101/chapter/Recommendations
- Macmillan: breast reconstruction: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction
- Breast Cancer Now: coping with breast cancer emotionally: https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/life-after-treatment/coping-with-breast-cancer-emotionally

## Connected records

- cancers: [Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)](https://onco.cc/cancers/tnbc/)
- technologies: [Peer support and support groups](https://onco.cc/technologies/peer-support-groups/), [Psycho-oncology and distress screening](https://onco.cc/technologies/psycho-oncology/)
- terms: [Lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery)](https://onco.cc/terms/lumpectomy/), [Mastectomy](https://onco.cc/terms/mastectomy/)

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