Implant Breast Reconstruction

After a mastectomy, one of the ways that a breast can be reconstructed is with an implant, which restores the shape and volume of the breast lost during mastectomy.

Reconstruction with implants is the most common type of breast reconstruction in the U.S. After a mastectomy, one of the ways that a breast can be reconstructed is with an implant. A breast implant is a round, flexible silicone shell filled with either saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Breast implants can either be placed over the chest muscle (pectoralis) or underneath part or all of the chest muscle. The implant replaces the breast tissue that is removed during the mastectomy, restoring the shape and volume of the breast.