Breast Reconstruction & Refinement in London
Not everyone considering breast surgery is starting from the same point. Some patients are rebuilding after cancer treatment. Others want to address complications or results from previous surgery that did not meet their expectations. At The Ghanem Clinic, breast reconstruction and refinement are planned around each patient's history, anatomy and goals, delivered by consultant plastic surgeons at our Wimpole Street clinic in London.
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Breast Reconstruction & Refinement Overview
Breast reconstruction recreates the breast mound following mastectomy or lumpectomy, using implants, your own tissue through flap reconstruction, or a combination of both. Refinement addresses the results of previous surgery, including capsular contracture, implant malposition, contour irregularity, scarring and nipple appearance. Major reconstruction and revision procedures are generally performed under general anaesthesia, while smaller refinements may be suitable for local anaesthesia. These procedures sit within our Comprehensive Breast Surgery programme at The Ghanem Clinic, delivered by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register.
Choosing Breast Reconstruction & Refinement
Returning to surgery after a difficult previous experience is a different decision than considering breast surgery for the first time. For patients coming to us for refinement, your consultation includes a careful review of what happened previously, so the plan addresses the full history rather than only today's anatomy. For patients rebuilding after cancer treatment, your consultation establishes which combination of techniques, implant-based, flap-based, or hybrid, best suits your treatment history, anatomy and long-term goals. In both cases, the planning is as considered as the surgery itself.
Breast reconstruction and refinement at The Ghanem Clinic are led by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register with specialist training in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery, under the medical direction of the UK's only Professor of Aesthetic Medicine.
Breast Reconstruction & Refinement vs. Other Procedures
Reconstruction and refinement are distinct from cosmetic breast surgery alone. Breast augmentation, reduction and lifting reshape the healthy breast for aesthetic reasons. Reconstruction rebuilds what cancer treatment has removed. Refinement corrects a surgical outcome that is causing physical discomfort, aesthetic concern, or both. Many of our revision patients have come to us after surgery elsewhere that produced capsular contracture, implant malposition, or scarring they feel self-conscious about. The right approach depends on original surgical history, current anatomy, and the result you want to achieve.
| Implant-Based Reconstruction | Flap Reconstruction | Refinement & Revision | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Rebuild breast mound after mastectomy using implants | Rebuild breast using tissue from the abdomen or back | Correct or improve the results of previous breast surgery |
| Technique | Tissue expansion followed by implant placement | Autologous tissue transfer (DIEP, LD flap, or combined) | Capsule removal, implant replacement, fat grafting, or repositioning through existing incisions |
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia | General anaesthesia | General anaesthesia or local with sedation |
| Surgery Duration | Two to four hours | Six hours or more | Varies by extent of correction |
| Recovery | Several weeks; inpatient stay recommended | Longer recovery; extended inpatient stay | Usually shorter; dependent on procedure complexity |
Your Breast Reconstruction & Refinement Process
Initial Consultation
The process begins with a private, no-obligation consultation at our Wimpole Street clinic. Your consultant surgeon reviews your medical history in detail, including any previous surgery, examines your breast tissue, skin quality and chest wall, and discusses your goals openly to establish the right surgical pathway.
Surgical Planning
Once suitability is confirmed, a personalised surgical plan is developed. This may include tissue expansion, implant selection, flap technique, fat grafting, or revision of existing scars. Imaging, photography and previous surgical records are reviewed carefully so the plan reflects your full history, not just today's anatomy.
Pre-Op Preparation
In the weeks before surgery, our team guides you through pre-operative health checks and blood work. We advise pausing certain supplements, optimising nutrition, and avoiding nicotine for at least four weeks before and after surgery, which is especially important for flap reconstruction, where blood supply affects healing.
Surgery
The procedure is performed under the agreed anaesthetic. Timing depends on the technique: implant-based reconstruction typically takes two to four hours, while flap reconstruction can take six hours or more. Refinement procedures are usually shorter and often work through existing incision sites to minimise additional scarring.
Recovery & Follow-Up
An inpatient stay is typically recommended, with duration depending on the technique used. A support garment is fitted during early recovery to support healing and reduce swelling. Return to normal activity varies by procedure, with follow-up appointments scheduled across the first year to monitor long-term results.
Treatment Details
What it Treats
Reconstruction addresses the loss of breast tissue following mastectomy or lumpectomy for cancer treatment. Refinement addresses the results of previous breast surgery, including capsular contracture, implant malposition, rippling, visible scarring, nipple asymmetry or malposition, contour irregularity, and dissatisfaction with the aesthetic result of surgery performed elsewhere.
Benefits
Reconstruction and refinement aim to restore breast shape, improve symmetry and address concerns following cancer treatment or previous surgery. Depending on the procedure, treatment may also improve physical comfort. Every surgical plan considers your anatomy, medical history and personal goals, with realistic expectations discussed openly during your consultation.
Additional Treatments
These procedures are often combined with complementary options within our Comprehensive Breast Surgery programme, including nipple reconstruction or correction, fat grafting to improve contour, or scar revision to refine the appearance of previous surgical scars, all tailored during consultation.
What to Expect from a Breast Reconstruction & Refinement Procedure
Returning to surgery after a difficult experience elsewhere can be the hardest part of the decision. The timeline below covers what happens before, during and after your procedure at our Wimpole Street clinic, so you can plan each stage with clarity rather than guesswork.
Preparation
Before surgery, you will attend preparatory appointments including medical screening, imaging, and a final pre-operative review. Where previous surgery is involved, we also review your original surgical records in detail. We provide tailored guidance on nutrition, sleeping arrangements, and preparation for your home recovery.
The Procedure
On the day of surgery, your surgical and anaesthetic teams guide you through the final preparations. Under the agreed anaesthetic, your consultant surgeon performs the planned procedure with meticulous precision. Your hospital stay and postoperative monitoring depend on the complexity of the surgery and technique used.
Recovery and Results
Recovery varies by procedure. Implant-based cases typically allow a return to light activity within one to two weeks, while flap reconstruction requires a longer recovery of several weeks. Strenuous activity is cleared when your consultant surgeon confirms healing is complete, usually six to eight weeks.
Aesthetic Breast Surgery, Planned Around You
Breast reconstruction and refinement at The Ghanem Clinic are delivered by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register, with specialist training in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. Every procedure is planned around the individual patient, under the medical direction of the UK's only Professor of Aesthetic Medicine. Located on Wimpole Street in Marylebone, we provide patients seeking comprehensive breast surgery in London with personalised consultations and access to specialist surgical expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does breast reconstruction or refinement cost in London?
What is the difference between breast reconstruction and refinement?
Can breast reconstruction be done at the same time as a mastectomy?
What is capsular contracture, and can it be corrected?
How long is recovery from breast reconstruction or refinement?
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Breast Surgery Planned Around Your History
Book a private consultation with our consultant plastic surgeons to discuss reconstruction after cancer treatment, or correction of a previous surgical result.
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