The psychological impact of immediate rather than delayed breast reconstruction.

AIMS A retrospective analysis of the psychological advantages of immediate reconstruction (IR) against delayed reconstruction (DR). METHODS A total of 121 patients who underwent different types of breast reconstruction were seen in the follow-up clinic and assessed for: anxiety, depression, body image, self-esteem, sexuality and satisfaction. RESULTS Ninety-five percent of the patients who had IR preferred this technique and 76% of the DR group would have preferred IR. Anxiety and depression were decreased and body image, self-esteem and sexual feeling of attractiveness and satisfaction were significantly superior in the IR group compared with that of the DR group. CONCLUSION Patients who had immediate reconstruction recalled less distress and had better psychosocial well being than those who had delayed reconstruction.