For women who must undergo mastectomy, breast reconstruction represents a vital aspect of care and recovery after breast cancer. By restoring the breast or the portion of the breast removed, breast reconstruction offers many important psychological and aesthetic benefits, allowing many women to return fully to the life they enjoyed before the diagnosis of the cancer. This book describes, in straightforward terms, the surgical techniques available, the benefits and drawbacks of each approach and what to expect before and after surgery. Other topics discussed include minimizing the risks associated with surgery, choosing a plastic surgeon and dealing with medical insurance issues.