Consultant breast surgery · UK
Mastectomy, by a consultant breast surgeon and an MDT.
For breast cancer, extensive DCIS, or as a risk-reducing procedure in BRCA1/2 and other high-risk carriers - with immediate implant or DIEP reconstruction discussed before you consent.
Why patients choose us
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A consultant breast surgeon, in a proper unit
Not a general list. A named breast surgeon working with an MDT - oncology, radiology, pathology, plastics - under NICE NG101 and ABS standards.
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Reconstruction discussed before, not after
Immediate or delayed. Implant or your own tissue. DIEP, LD, expander - the options laid out before you consent to the mastectomy itself.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private mastectomy costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner units. NHS breast-cancer surgery via the two-week-wait pathway is free at point of care - we help either way.
In short
Simple mastectomy in our network: £8,000–£14,000. With DIEP reconstruction: £25,000–£45,000.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Inpatient stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple / total mastectomy (unilateral) | £8,000–£14,000 | 90 min | 1–2 nights |
| Mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy | £10,000–£16,000 | 2 hours | 1–2 nights |
| Mastectomy with axillary clearance | £12,000–£18,000 | 2.5 hours | 2–3 nights |
| Skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy + implant reconstruction | £14,000–£25,000 | 3–5 hours | 2–4 nights |
| Mastectomy + DIEP flap reconstruction | £25,000–£45,000 | 6–10 hours | 4–5 nights |
| Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRCA) + reconstruction | £22,000–£45,000 | 5–9 hours | 3–5 nights |
Prices vary by unit, by which surgeon does the case, by anaesthetic and inpatient stay, and by whether reconstruction is immediate. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right technique, the right reconstruction plan.
The decision is bigger than the operation. Which technique, which reconstruction, which adjuvant therapy - and whether risk-reduction on the other side is the right call. We arrange the surgeon and the MDT that make those decisions properly.
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Newly diagnosed?
A consultant breast surgeon with a full MDT - surgery, oncology, radiology, pathology - under NICE NG101.
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Considering reconstruction?
Joint clinic with a plastic surgeon before you consent. Implant, DIEP, LD - the options laid out honestly.
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BRCA-positive?
A genetics-informed pathway. Risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy or intensive surveillance - the choice is yours to make.
The journey
From diagnosis to recovery - what happens, in order.
One breast-care clinician alongside you from the MDT decision to the pathology review and adjuvant plan.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · Admission and surgery
One to five nights on a breast unit
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Diagnosis if you have one, biopsy result, MRI/mammogram to date, whether reconstruction matters to you.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right surgeon, the right unit, whether an oncoplastic or reconstructive plastic surgeon should be co-operating, an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the MDT and surgery
Usually within one to three weeks. Pre-op assessment, anaesthetic review, and - if reconstruction is planned - a joint clinic with the plastic surgeon.
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Admission & surgery
Admission and marking
Admission the morning of surgery (or the night before for long reconstructions). The surgeons mark you awake, then GA in theatre.
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Admission & surgery
The procedure itself
90 minutes for a simple mastectomy; 3–6 hours with immediate reconstruction; longer for DIEP. Drains sited in the axilla and breast pocket.
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Admission & surgery
Recovery on the ward
One night for a simple mastectomy; three to five nights for reconstruction. Pain control, drain management, and early mobilisation.
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After
Recovery, pathology and adjuvant plan
Drains out at 3–14 days. Pathology at two weeks. Adjuvant chemo, radiotherapy or endocrine therapy discussed at the follow-up MDT.
Typical end-to-end: 1–3 weeks from enquiry to surgery. Full recovery: 6–8 weeks for a simple mastectomy, longer with reconstruction.
When it helps
When mastectomy is the right operation.
The situations where mastectomy is preferred to lumpectomy - plus the one red flag that means the breast unit sees you today, not next week.
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Large tumour relative to breast size
Where a wide local excision cannot be done with an acceptable cosmetic result, mastectomy is often the cleaner option.
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Multi-focal or multi-centric disease
More than one tumour focus in the breast - usually needs mastectomy rather than repeated lumpectomies.
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Extensive DCIS
Widespread ductal carcinoma in situ that cannot be cleared with a single lumpectomy while preserving acceptable shape.
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Radiotherapy contraindicated
Previous chest RT, pregnancy, some connective-tissue disease - or personal preference to avoid radiotherapy - pushes towards mastectomy.
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Recurrence after previous BCT
Cancer returning in a breast that has already had lumpectomy and radiotherapy usually needs mastectomy.
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BRCA1/2 or high-risk gene carrier
Risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy - often nipple-sparing with immediate reconstruction. The other route is intensive surveillance.
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Male breast cancer
Mastectomy is the standard operation for men diagnosed with breast cancer - usually with sentinel node biopsy.
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Red flag: inflammatory breast cancer
A rapidly changing, red, warm breast with skin thickening is not a routine referral - same-day breast unit assessment.
Procedure options
Mastectomy is not one operation - it is a family of them.
What each technique actually involves - and which fits which situation.
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Simple / total mastectomy
Removal of all breast tissue including nipple and areola. The axillary nodes are not touched. The oldest and most straightforward option.
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Modified radical mastectomy
Total mastectomy plus axillary node clearance (levels I and II). Historical mainstay, now often replaced by sentinel node biopsy first.
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Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM)
Preserves the skin envelope for immediate reconstruction. Excellent cosmetic result when the tumour does not involve overlying skin.
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Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM)
Preserves nipple, areola and skin. Strict criteria - small tumour, more than 2 cm from the nipple, favourable biology - or for risk-reducing surgery.
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Prophylactic (risk-reducing)
Bilateral mastectomy in BRCA1/2, TP53 or PALB2 carriers, or in women with an extensive family history. Usually nipple-sparing with immediate reconstruction.
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Contralateral prophylactic (CPM)
Removing the unaffected breast at the time of cancer surgery. A clear benefit in BRCA+; a debated one in average-risk women.
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Male mastectomy
For male breast cancer or severe gynaecomastia. Different technique, same principles - see also /treatments/gynaecomastia-surgery.
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Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
Implant (direct-to-implant, expander, ADM-supported) or autologous (DIEP, LD, TRAM, PAP, SGAP). See /treatments/breast-reconstruction.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of breast surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant breast surgeons working with plastic surgery, oncology and genetics. Not listed publicly - introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every breast surgeon in our network.
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Consultant breast surgeons working within an MDT (surgery, oncology, radiology, pathology, plastics)
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NICE NG101 and Association of Breast Surgery standards for early and locally advanced breast cancer
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Immediate reconstruction offered wherever oncologically safe - implant, DIEP, LD
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Genetic testing and risk-reducing pathway available for BRCA1/2, PALB2, TP53 carriers
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Mastectomy is safe and routine surgery - but it is major surgery. The things worth planning are the reconstruction pathway, the drain and seroma window, the risk of chronic pain and lymphoedema, and the psychological support that goes alongside.
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General anaesthetic, planned overnight stay
Simple mastectomy is one to two nights. Reconstruction is three to five. DIEP flap is monitored on a dedicated unit for the first 24 hours.
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Seroma is common and manageable
Fluid collecting under the skin flap needs one or two clinic aspirations in a majority of patients. Not a complication so much as an expected event.
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Skin flap and nipple necrosis
Skin flap necrosis affects a small minority - more so with reconstruction and if you smoke. Nipple necrosis after NSM is 5–10%.
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Lymphoedema after axillary clearance
Five to twenty per cent of women after full clearance. Sentinel node biopsy alone is much lower risk. Early lymphoedema physiotherapy matters.
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Chronic pain and altered sensation
Twenty to forty per cent of women have some persistent chest-wall pain or altered sensation. Post-mastectomy pain syndrome is a recognised condition.
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Cording (axillary web syndrome)
Tight cord-like bands in the armpit after node surgery. Uncomfortable, usually self-limiting, helped by physio stretches.
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Reconstruction-specific risks
Implant issues (rotation, capsular contracture, rupture, rare BIA-ALCL), flap loss, fat necrosis, donor-site morbidity for DIEP or LD.
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The psychosocial side is real
Losing a breast - even with excellent reconstruction - is a significant event. We arrange specialist nurse and psychology support alongside surgery.
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Red flags
A rapidly swelling or bruising wound, spreading redness, fever, or in DIEP a cold pale flap - call the unit immediately, not the GP.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon and pathologist send you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Pathology reports are dense - grade, receptor status, margins, Ki-67 - and we translate them for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your oncology review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication, laterality and technique
Why the operation was done - cancer, DCIS, risk-reducing - which side, and whether it was simple, skin-sparing or nipple-sparing.
- 02 Nodes
Axillary surgery and node count
Whether sentinel node biopsy or axillary clearance was performed, how many nodes were retrieved, and any intra-operative findings.
- 03 Pathology
Tumour size, grade, margins, biology
Invasive size, DCIS component, grade, margin distance, ER/PR/HER2 status, Ki-67 and node status - the numbers that drive adjuvant therapy.
- 04 Impression
Adjuvant plan, follow-up, review timing
Read this first: whether you need chemotherapy, radiotherapy or endocrine therapy, and when the oncology and reconstruction reviews are booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for mastectomy and reconstruction is generally comprehensive when medically indicated. Risk-reducing surgery in confirmed high-risk carriers is often covered - we confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about mastectomy.
Quick answers on technique choice, reconstruction, recovery, risk-reduction and outcomes.
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Why would I need a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy?
Mastectomy is preferred when the tumour is large relative to the breast, when there is multi-focal disease or extensive DCIS, when radiotherapy is not possible or not wanted, after recurrence in a previously treated breast, and for risk-reducing surgery in BRCA1/2 and other high-risk carriers. For many early cancers, lumpectomy plus radiotherapy gives equivalent survival - the surgeon will tell you which applies.
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Can I have reconstruction at the same time?
Usually yes. Immediate reconstruction - implant-based or your own tissue (DIEP, LD, TRAM) - is oncologically safe for most patients and gives the best cosmetic result. It is discussed jointly with a plastic surgeon before you consent, and delayed reconstruction is always an option if you prefer to wait.
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What is a nipple-sparing mastectomy, and can I have one?
Nipple-sparing keeps the nipple, areola and skin envelope, leaving a much better cosmetic result. It is offered when the tumour is small, more than 2 cm from the nipple and biologically favourable, and it is the usual approach for risk-reducing surgery. The surgeon confirms candidacy from your imaging and biopsy.
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How much does a private mastectomy cost in the UK?
Roughly £8,000–£14,000 for a simple mastectomy, £14,000–£25,000 with implant reconstruction, and £25,000–£45,000 with a DIEP flap. Bilateral risk-reducing surgery with reconstruction runs £22,000–£45,000. NHS breast-cancer surgery via the two-week-wait pathway is free at point of care.
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What is recovery like?
Drains stay in for 3 to 14 days. Most women are back to desk work in 2 to 6 weeks. No heavy lifting for 6 to 8 weeks. Driving at 2 to 4 weeks. Full exercise at 6 to 8 weeks with a rehab programme. Reconstruction extends every one of these windows.
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Am I BRCA-positive - should I have a risk-reducing mastectomy?
Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy cuts breast-cancer risk by around 90% in BRCA1/2 carriers and is a reasonable option, usually nipple-sparing with immediate reconstruction. The alternative is intensive surveillance with annual MRI. It is a personal decision made with a genetics team and a breast surgeon - see /treatments/high-risk-genetic-cancers.
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What are the long-term risks?
Chronic chest-wall pain or altered sensation in 20–40%, lymphoedema after full axillary clearance in 5–20%, and post-mastectomy pain syndrome in a smaller subset. Reconstruction adds its own risks - implant issues, flap complications, fat necrosis, donor-site morbidity. All of this is discussed in detail before you consent.
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What are the outcomes?
Five-year survival for stage I breast cancer is above 95%, stage II around 80–90%, stage III 60–70%. Local recurrence after mastectomy is 3–8% depending on adjuvant therapy, margins and tumour biology. Patient satisfaction with reconstruction is 85–95% in modern series.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Breast reconstruction
Implant, DIEP, LD and staged options.
Learn more -
Masculinizing chest surgery
Chest reconstruction for gender-affirming care.
Learn more -
High-risk genetic cancers
BRCA1/2, PALB2, TP53 pathways and risk-reduction.
Learn more -
All tests and procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more