Breast Reconstruction involves not only your plastic surgeon but your breast surgeon's input to ensure that you are in the best possible condition for reconstructive surgery. Most mastectomy patients are medically appropriate for reconstruction, many at the same time that the breast is removed. The best candidates, however, are women whose cancer, as far as can be determined, seems to have been eliminated by mastectomy.

Still, there are legitimate reasons to wait. Many women aren't comfortable weighing all the options while they're struggling to cope with a diagnosis of cancer. Others simply don't want to have any more surgery than is absolutely necessary. Some patients may be advised by their surgeons to wait. Women with other health conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or smoking, may also be advised to wait.