Women's initial experiences of their appearance after mastectomy and/or breast reconstruction: A qualitative study.

There was considerable variability in women's experiences. Some felt prepared and emotionally supported at this time, whilst others felt this element of care was missing. The findings suggest that there is a need to ensure all women are informed and have the necessary support when looking at the results of their surgery for the first time. Areas for improvement were proposed, including preoperative discussions, increased preparation and support. This could potentially contribute to better patient outcomes overall.