A mastectomy is surgery to remove all breast tissue from a breast. It’s most often done to treat or prevent breast cancer.
In addition to removing the breast tissue, mastectomy also may remove the breast skin and nipple. Some newer mastectomy techniques can leave the skin or nipple. These procedures may help improve the appearance of the breast after surgery.
After mastectomy, you may choose to have surgery to restore shape to the breast. This procedure is called breast reconstruction. It may be done at the same time as mastectomy or as a second operation later. Reconstruction may take more than one surgery.
