0 Comments
PRMA Plastic Surgery

Chemotherapy, Your Immune System, and Breast Reconstruction

July 10, 2020

How long should you wait after chemo to have breast reconstruction?

A recent study from the University of Leeds and published in the Breast Cancer Research journal showed breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy could be more susceptible to common illnesses due to the long-term impact chemo has on the immune system.

Around 30% of breast cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy.

We already know chemotherapy has a significant short-term impact on the immune system. The latest research found the effects of chemotherapy reduce some immune system components for at least nine months after chemotherapy ends. This lasting impact seems to imply that survivors may benefit from additional post-treatment care and follow up to reduce their risk of getting sick.

So what does this mean from a breast reconstruction perspective?

Being as healthy as possible is important before and after any surgery.

Typically, we like to give our patients 6 weeks recovery time from chemotherapy before undergoing breast reconstruction. For most patients, 6 weeks is sufficient for the immune system to recover prior to breast reconstruction surgery. A small number patients will need more time, or “booster” injections to help increase their white blood cell count. Low white blood cell counts increase the risk of infection and poor healing at surgery.

For patients undergoing reconstructive surgery before starting chemo, 4 weeks is usually enough time to allow for healing before the first round of chemotherapy. Again, this time frame can vary by patient. Delayed healing can in turn delay the start of chemotherapy.

The new findings on the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the immune system are important to consider regardless of when a patient will undergo breast reconstruction surgery. When preparing for surgery, it is important for patients to be as “tuned up” as possible from a health perspective to minimize the risk of complications. In addition to getting the “all clear” from your medical doctors, eat healthily, follow all pre- and post-operative instructions, and, of course… No smoking!

Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd

Typically, we like to give our patients 6 weeks recovery time from chemotherapy before undergoing breast reconstruction.

Leave Comment

No Comments

Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter

Online Form – Newsletter Signup

Continue Reading

Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect

Hospital Stay After DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: What to Expect December 09, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Following DIEP flap breast reconstruction, patients are typically in the hospital for about 2-3 days. During that time, patients often wonder what they should expect. Here is what a typical hospital stay for PRMA patients entails… Flap […]

Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period

Breast Reconstruction Surgery and Your Period December 02, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin During our pre-operative appointment with patients, a topic that occasionally arises is menstrual cycles. It is completely normal for women to experience changes with their periods throughout breast cancer treatments. These can be temporary or permanent. Periods can be unpredictable following […]

What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

What Bras and Abdominal Girdles to Wear After Breast Reconstruction Surgery November 17, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin When preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, many patients want to know what types of bras and abdominal girdles they should plan to wear after surgery. Although every surgeon has slightly different preferences, we have put together […]

My 5 DIEP Flap Realities | A Guest Blog From Julie

My 5 DIEP Flap Realities October 28, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hi everyone, my name is Julie from It’s a Bosom Thing. I am so happy to be here as a guest blogger and have this opportunity to share with you a few thoughts about life after DIEP Flap Surgery. I was diagnosed […]

PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap

PRMA’s BRA Day Virtual Event Recap October 22, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yesterday we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness day! Although we missed seeing everyone in person this year, we were still able to spread education and awareness on ALL reconstructive options through our virtual efforts. We were also able to share information on […]

Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery

Second Stage DIEP Flap Surgery September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin DIEP flap breast reconstruction is typically comprised of at least two stages for the best outcomes. The second stage of surgery is commonly referred to as the “revision” stage and is usually performed about three months after the initial reconstruction. The purpose […]

flaps good option for breast reconstruction_ PRMA Plastic Surgery

If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them?

If ‘Flaps’ Are Such A Great Breast Reconstruction Option, Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Flap-based breast reconstruction procedures, like the DIEP flap, offer patients a safe, natural implant-alternative option to reconstruction after a mastectomy. Flap surgeries are permanent and are associated with fewer complications after radiation when […]

Skin Island in Breast Reconstruction _ PRMA Plastic Surgery

What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction?

What is a Skin Island and How is it Used in Breast Reconstruction? September 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin What is a “skin island”? The term “skin island” is used to describe the remaining visible skin from a transplanted “flap” of tissue. In the setting of DIEP flap breast reconstruction, the skin island […]

Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Comparing APEX Flap and DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction August 10, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin We have been receiving numerous inquiries about the “APEX flap” recently. Patients want to know what it is and how it differs from the DIEP flap. APEX is an acronym that stands for “Abdominal Perforator Exchange”. Many patients believe […]

Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery

Monitoring the Health of Your Flap During & After Surgery July 21, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Autologous flap (or tissue) breast reconstruction procedures represent today’s most advanced options for rebuilding a breast(s) following mastectomy. The most commonly performed method of flap-based reconstruction at PRMA is the DIEP flap. During this procedure, surgeons transplant skin […]