mastectomy surGery
Mastectomy removes all breast tissue, including the nipple–areola complex, to treat or prevent breast cancer.
Andrew Pieri is an expert mastectomy surgeon who offers personalised surgical care using cutting edge surgical techniques.
Contact our welcoming mastectomy surgery clinic today and book a consultation.
A mastectomy is performed under anaesthesia to excise the entire breast and may use variations such as skin-sparing or nipple-sparing techniques based on tumour location and size. It can be followed by immediate or delayed reconstruction with implants or autologous tissue, and adjuvant therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy) are tailored to the final pathology.
Why Choose Mr Andrew Pieri for Mastectomy Surgery?
Mr Andrew Pieri is a highly experienced breast surgeon with over 16 years of expertise in both cancer treatment and reconstructive breast surgery. His background in oncoplastic techniques means every mastectomy is approached with a focus on both medical safety and, where possible, long-term aesthetic outcomes.
Patients are cared for in a calm and welcoming environment, where clear communication and compassionate guidance are centre stage. Mr Pieri takes time to explain all options in a straightforward way, so you’ll always feel informed as to your options.
With extensive experience working across leading NHS and private hospitals in the North East, he combines advanced surgical skill with a patient-first approach.
IS A MASTECTOMY RIGHT FOR ME?
Breast cancer treatment is the most common reason people undergo a mastectomy, but there are other reasons. Women with strong family histories or gene mutations, such as BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53, are considered at very high risk of developing breast cancer. As such, they often choose to undergo a double mastectomy (aka a bilateral mastectomy) to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in the future.
Occasionally, women who have had a previous mastectomy without reconstruction choose to have a mastectomy to remove their healthy breast. This is done simply for symmetry and to resolve issues they are experiencing with the uneven weight distribution.
Although not always the case, many breast cancer patients can avoid a mastectomy and instead undergo some form of breast conserving surgery (also known as a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy), even with some larger tumours in smaller breasts. This is due to the practice of breast surgery evolving to incorporate plastic surgery techniques in order to remove more tissue and re-shape the remaining breast tissue to give a good cosmetic result.
MASTECTOMY PRICE GUIDE
Please note that prices provided here are intended to serve as a general reference and may be subject to changes. It is also important to note that the cost of your procedure will depend on the specific operation required to achieve your cosmetic goals. Therefore, the prices listed below may not accurately reflect the final cost of your treatment.
Please schedule a free consultation directly with Mr Pieri to obtain an accurate quote.
Mastectomy Surgery
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Initial consultation £200
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Full price will be discussed during consultation once treatment has been finalised.
Types of Mastectomy
As an operation to remove the entire breast, you might think a mastectomy is relatively simple, but there are, in fact, several options.
Mastectomy patients have a variety of options and can work with their breast surgeon to find the best one for them. The best type of mastectomy for each patient will depend on their additional cancer treatment needs and personal preferences.
Simple Mastectomy
When most people think of a mastectomy, what they’re imagining is a simple mastectomy. With this procedure, the breast tissue, the nipple area and some surrounding skin are removed with the breast tissue. The remaining skin sits flat on the chest wall with a scar that runs horizontally or diagonally across the chest. This method is used when no simultaneous reconstruction is being performed. Patients often wear a silicone prosthesis in their bra to match the volume of their other breasts, filling out their bra cup and enabling them to look symmetrical when clothed. With the prosthesis in place, it is not possible to tell that they have undergone surgery when clothed. The breast prosthesis is supplied for free by the NHS.
Skin Sparing Mastectomy
A skin sparing mastectomy is the procedure used if breast reconstruction is being performed at the same time as a mastectomy. As the name suggests, in a skin sparing mastectomy, the breast tissue is removed by the healthy breast skin is kept. This skin can then be used to create the new breast shape for the reconstructed breast. If the breast reconstruction will be performed later, then a skin sparing mastectomy is not needed and more skin will be removed.
Skin & Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
A radical mastectomy is similar to a simple mastectomy, but it involves the removal of more skin, and possibly the removal of the pec muscle under the breast tissue. It can also involve removing lymph nodes from the armpit during the same procedure (axilla armpit surgery). This is performed if cancer has affected a large area of the skin or invaded the muscle under the breast. As breast cancer is often diagnosed earlier today, thanks to increased awareness, a radical mastectomy is less common in the UK today.
Radical Mastectomy
Similar to the simple mastectomy but with removal of more skin and/or removal of the pec muscle under the breast tissue. This is performed if cancer has affected a large area of the skin or invaded into the muscle under the breast. Due to breast awareness it is rarely performed in the UK nowadays due to the fact that patients tend to be diagnosed and treated prior to the cancer reaching this situation.
Surgery Information
TIME IN THEATRE
1-3 Hours
HOSPITAL STAY
1 -3 Nights
RETURN TO WORK
7 Days
RECOVERY TIME
6 Weeks
POST-OP BRA
6 Weeks
MASTECTOMY SURGERY RECOVERY & RISKS
After your mastectomy procedure, you’ll be given a personalised recovery plan, including guidance on caring for your surgical site and attending follow-up appointments to track your progress. Reviews are usually scheduled within the first couple of weeks and then at intervals over the following months to ensure everything is healing as expected.
It’s normal to experience some discomfort initially, which can be managed with prescribed pain relief. Taking things slowly in the early stages is key. This means you should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activity, and excessive upper body movement until your surgeon advises it is safe to resume.
Many patients are able to get back to gentle day-to-day tasks within the first week, including desk-based work. However, your body will need several weeks to fully recover, with most patients requiring around 4 to 6 weeks before returning to more physically demanding activities.
FOLLOW-UP CARE
Ongoing care plays a vital role in your recovery after mastectomy surgery. You will usually have an initial appointment with a nurse around one week after your operation to assess your healing, check dressings, and answer any early questions.
You’ll then have further reviews with Mr Pieri, typically around the two-week mark and again in the months that follow. The exact schedule may vary depending on your individual treatment, particularly if reconstruction or additional therapies form part of your care plan.
These follow-ups are designed to monitor your recovery, address any concerns promptly, and ensure you feel supported at every stage of the healing process.
frequently asked questions
What Are The Alternatives To A Mastectomy?
For some breast cancer patients, a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy can be an alternative to a full mastectomy. This option will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of breast cancer cells and where they are located. For early stage breast cancer, breast conserving surgery can be a viable choice, but for locally advanced breast cancer, where the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, a mastectomy might be a better option.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Mastectomy?
A mastectomy is an outpatient procedure that usually takes around 90 minutes, depending on whether breast reconstruction is performed at the same time or if both breasts are being removed. Most patients are able to return home following their mastectomy, and recovery usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks.
How Soon Can Breast Reconstruction Surgery Be Done After A Mastectomy?
Breast reconstruction can be done during the same procedure as the mastectomy, which is known as immediate reconstruction. If the patient chooses to wait until after the mastectomy, this is called delayed reconstruction. If chemotherapy or radiation therapy is needed to further treat the cancer after the mastectomy, then this will need to be completed and the patient fully healed before delayed reconstructive surgery can be carried out.
Is Further Treatment Needed After A Mastectomy?
Following a mastectomy, further treatment for breast cancer might be required, depending on the type of cancer the patient has. For those with more aggressive forms of breast cancer, chemotherapy could be required after a mastectomy to completely get rid of the cancer cells. Also, if the patient did not have immediate breast reconstruction surgery, then a separate procedure may take place after the mastectomy.
Explore Other Breast Procedures
At Andrew Pieri’s Breast Cancer Clinic, a range of surgical options are available depending on your diagnosis and intended treatments.
Explore more about our full range of approaches below, including breast-conserving techniques and reconstruction options following surgery.
BREAST CANCER CLINIC
A one-stop clinic offering same-day triple assessment, including consultation, imaging, and biopsy if required.
Breast Lift
BREAST CONSERVING SURGERY
A lumpectomy treatment that seeks to remove the tumour while preserving as much of the natural breast as possible.
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Reconstructive surgery restores breast shape and appearance following mastectomy, using implants or your own tissue.
