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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer
helping you understand your surgical options
SurgeryGuide
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Lipofilling or Fat Grafting
Uses fat from other areas of the body to fill in dents after a lumpectomy
- Fat is usually taken from the abdomen or buttocks
- Uses your own tissue, reducing the risk of rejection
- Creates a natural feel similar to the rest of the breast
- People with less body fat may need fat take from multiple areas
- May not be publicly covered, so check with your healthcare provider about costs
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Tissue Flap Reconstruction
Restores breast shape using tissue from another part of the body
- Often taken from the abdomen, buttocks, back, or thigh
- Best for correcting larger dents after lumpectomy
- For more details on different tissue flap techniques, visit our autologous reconstruction section
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Partial Prosthesis
A soft, silicone breast form used to restore balance and shape after a mastectomy
- Fits inside a bra to add volume and create a smoother, fuller shape
- Made from soft materials like silicone, similar to full prostheses
- Available in different sizes and materials for comfort
“I had a hard time feeling comfortable with something that wasn’t my own flesh filling up a gap that had been left by my lumpectomy. No matter how many bras I tried it in I just couldn’t get used to the weight and feel. I think now that part of that is that it was just too big. I now actually have a much smaller one and it is much better and feels more like me but I still don’t wear it all the time, sports bras fit me fine without it and are a big part of my daily wear.”
~Deborah~
Related reading from Our Voices Blog:
Medical Reviews by Siba Haykal, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, October 2025 and Mark Basik, MD, FRCSC, December 2025
- References
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American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer/breast-conserving-surgery-lumpectomy.html
American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/reconstruction-surgery/breast-reconstruction-options/breast-reconstruction-after-lumpectomy-or-partial-mastectomy.html
American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast reconstruction using your own tissues (flap procedures). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/reconstruction-surgery/breast-reconstruction-options/breast-reconstruction-using-your-own-tissues-flap-procedures.html
Arnaout, A., Ross, D., Khayat, E., Richardson, J., Kapala, M., Hanrahan, R., Zhang, J., Doherty, C., & Brackstone, M. (2019). Position statement on defining and standardizing an oncoplastic approach to breast-conserving surgery in Canada. Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 26(3), e405–e409. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.26.4195
Canadian Breast Cancer Network. (2022). Breast cancer and you: A guide for people living with breast cancer [PDF]. https://cbcn.ca/web/default/files/public/Reports/Breast%20Cancer%20and%20You_ENG_edit_web.pdf
Chatterjee, A., Gass, J., Patel, K., Holmes, D., Kopkash, K., Peiris, L., Peled, A., Ryan, J., El-Tamer, M., & Reiland, J. (2019). A consensus definition and classification system of oncoplastic surgery developed by the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 26(11), 3436–3444. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07345-4
Citgez, B., Yigit, B., & Bas, S. (2022). Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery: A comprehensive review. Cureus, 14(1), e21763. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.21763
Conner, K. (2023). Oncoplastic lumpectomy. Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/oncoplastic-lumpectomy
Conner, K. (2023). What is oncoplastic lumpectomy surgery? Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/oncoplastic-lumpectomy
Conner, K., & Uscher, J. (2025). Lumpectomy. Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy
Knowles, S., Maxwell, J., Lumsden, A., Pearson, L., Pulhin, J., McLean, J., Brackstone, M., & Hanrahan, R. (2020). An alternative to standard lumpectomy: A 5-year case series review of oncoplastic breast surgery outcomes in a Canadian setting. Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie, 63(1), E46–E51. https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.003819
Peiris, L., Olson, D., & Kelly, D. (2018). Oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery in Canada: Breaking new ground in general surgical training. Canadian Journal of Surgery. Journal Canadien de Chirurgie, 61(5), 294–299. https://doi.org/10.1503/cjs.016717
Piccotti, F., Rybinska, I., Scoccia, E., Morasso, C., Ricciardi, A., Signati, L., Triulzi, T., Corsi, F., & Truffi, M. (2021). Lipofilling in breast oncological surgery: A safe opportunity or risk for cancer recurrence?. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(7), 3737. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073737
St. Joseph's Health Care London. (n.d.). New breast cancer surgery approach improves survivorship and leaves women looking and feeling whole. https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/news-and-media/our-stories/new-breast-cancer-surgery-approach-improves-survivorship-and-leaves
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CBCN strives to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing.
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