A:There is no one "best" time for every patient, because the timing depends upon many factors that are different for each individual woman. But in general, a good time to do reconstruction is right at the same time as the mastectomy, or within a few days later. In contrast, the first few months beyond those opportunities are not as favorable, because of the healing that is going on. And then, after at least six months have passed, the timing becomes optimal again, and stays so for years, unless there has been radiation therapy. Radiation therapy greatly complicates reconstruction to a degree that increases as the years go by. If there is to be radiation, most plastic surgeons will try to accomplish the reconstruction as early as possible.