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Trusted by 2500+ clients

Life After Mastectomy – Your Body, Your Choice

Losing a breast to cancer is never just a physical change. At Clinic Helena, we help you take back what cancer took – with the most advanced breast rebuilding techniques that can restore both shape and sensation
Helena Puonti – world-class Expertise

Helena Puonti

Helena Puonti is a Doctor of Medicine, plastic surgeon and a specialist in microsurgery and breast surgery.
Dr. Helena Puonti is a highly respected plastic surgeon and medical doctor with a PhD in breast reconstruction. With over 30 years of experience, she has helped hundreds of women through complex breast surgeries with exceptional results.

She is the creator of the globally unique Sensing Breast method – a microsurgical technique that reconnects nerves to restore natural sensation to the reconstructed breast. This method offers a level of sensory recovery rarely achieved with traditional techniques.

What sets her apart is not only her technical expertise, but the trust, empathy and personal attention she gives to every patient. Women from around the world choose Dr. Puonti because they know they will be treated as individuals – with care, honesty and a relentless pursuit of the best possible outcome.
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Mastectomy Leaves More Than Scars

Restoring Balance Heals Body and Mind

A mastectomy often leaves more than a physical mark. It can create changes in the chest area, such as unevenness or visible scars, and sometimes cause physical discomfort like shoulder or neck pain due to imbalance. The scar itself may feel tight or sensitive, reminding the body of what it has been through.

Yet, for many women, the emotional journey can be even more profound. It can be a constant reminder of the challenges faced, and of a part of the body that has changed, impacting confidence and self-image.

Choosing to restore balance to the body can be a deeply healing step – physically and emotionally. It empowers many women to embrace a new chapter, moving forward with strength and a renewed sense of wholeness beyond breast cancer.

After a mastectomy, every woman’s path is unique, and there is no single “right” choice. You may decide to:
  • Rebuild the breast
  • Choose a partial reconstruction
  • Consider reduction or removal of the healthy breast for improved symmetry
Whatever you choose, your journey is your own, and it’s about finding what feels right for you.
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Toimipistettä
Kinikkamme sijaitsevat Tampereella ja Savonlinnassa. Tampereella kliniikkamme sijaitsee ihan rautatieaseman vieressä joten saapuminen julkisilla kulkuneuvoilla on nopeaa ja helppoa.
The decision is yours. We are here to help make your wishes a reality.
Rintasyövän toteaminen

Rintasyövän diagnosointi

At the consultation, our specialist will examine your chest by palpation and refer you for further examinations, if necessary.



To rule out breast cancer, we use a variety of research methods, including mammography, ultrasound, needle biopsy (needle sample) and, if necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast.
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Mammografia
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Rintojen ultraäänitutkimus
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Neulabiopsia
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Rintojen magneettikuvaus
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After MAstectomy

You options After Mastectomy

Every woman has the right to choose how she heals. Some choose to rebuild the breast with surgery. Others prefer to live without reconstruction. At Clinic Helena, we support you in making the decision that’s right for you.
Tunteva rinta – rintarekonstruktio
Restoring Sensation – The Sensing Breast Method
In most breast reconstructions, the final result may look natural – but the breast remains numb. The loss of sensation is something many women are not fully prepared for, and it can become a daily reminder that what was lost hasn’t truly been restored.

At Clinic Helena, we offer something no one else can: the Sensing Breast technique – a reconstruction method that restores not only the shape of the breast, but also its ability to feel. This is a globally unique approach, developed by Dr. Helena Puonti, combining advanced microsurgery with precise nerve reconnection. It allows the reconstructed breast to regain natural touch and sensation, something that standard techniques cannot offer.

This is more than innovation. The technique is based on years of scientific research and refined surgical expertise. For many women, this isn’t just about how the breast looks – it’s about reclaiming something deeply personal that was taken away. It’s about restoring a sense of wholeness, both physically and emotionally. A breast that can feel is not just a shape or an image in the mirror – it is a real part of you.
LD-rintarekonstruktio
Breast Reconstruction Using Back Tissue (Latissimus Dorsi Flap)
One option for rebuilding the breast after mastectomy is the Latissimus Dorsi (LD) flap technique. In this method, tissue from the upper back – including skin, fat, and part of the latissimus dorsi muscle – is moved to the chest to shape a new breast. This technique is especially suitable for rebuilding a small to medium-sized breast.

For thinner patients, a breast implant can be added under the flap if more volume is needed.

The tissue is moved with its own blood supply still connected, so no blood vessels need to be detached and reattached. The flap is carefully tunneled under the skin to the chest and shaped into a breast.

In some cases, a nerve can also be connected to help restore feeling to the skin of the reconstructed breast.
Expander ja silikoni-implantit
Breast Reconstruction with Tissue Expander and Silicone Implant
When a woman does not have enough of her own tissue to rebuild the breast – for example, if she is very slim – a silicone implant can be a good option. This reconstruction happens in two steps:
1. Tissue Expansion:
First, a soft, empty balloon-like device called a tissue expander is placed under the chest muscle. Over the next few weeks, it is slowly filled with saline (sterile salt water) during short visits – usually once or twice a week. This process gently stretches the skin and scar tissue left after the mastectomy.
2. Final Implant Placement:
Once the skin has stretched enough, the expander is removed in a second surgery and replaced with a permanent silicone implant, which creates the final breast shape.

This method allows the body to gradually adapt and gives a natural-looking result with minimal stress to the skin.
A Balanced and Beautiful Result – Without Full Reconstruction
Some women choose not to rebuild the removed breast – and that decision can also lead to a beautiful and harmonious result.

At Clinic Helena, we also offer surgical solutions that aim to restore symmetry and confidence without the need for a full reconstruction.

In many cases, this can mean reducing or removing the healthy breast to create a balanced chest, or enhancing a smaller breast with fat transfer.

Instead of being left with an uneven chest and a visible mastectomy scar next to a mismatched breast, we help our patients achieve a result that feels intentional, elegant and in proportion with their body.

The Sensing Breast Reconstruction – What Sets Us Appart

At Clinic Helena, we specialize in breast reconstruction that not only restores the shape of the breast, but also aims to restore sensation.

Our signature technique, the Sensing Breast method, uses advanced microsurgery and nerve reconnection to rebuild the breast after mastectomy. This method gives many women the possibility to regain natural feeling in the breast – something most traditional techniques cannot offer.

The technique is based on a muscle-sparing TRAM flap (MS-TRAM) with microsurgical nerve connection. It is a highly specialized method, developed through decades of experience by our lead surgeon, Dr. Helena Puonti. We believe that reconstruction is not complete until the patient can feel whole again – both physically and emotionally.

Why choose the Sensing Breast method?
- Designed to restore natural sensation to the reconstructed breast
- Uses the patient's own tissue, providing a more natural look and feel
- Reduces risks related to implants
- Developed by one of the world’s leading microsurgeons
- Proven long-term results

Contact us to learn more about how the Sensing Breast method could help you feel whole again.
Book a free consultation
Client testimonials

What Makes Us Different?
Let Our Patients Answer

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Mielikki
5 tähteä
Dr. Helena Puonti's meticulousness and thoroughness saved me. She detected breast cancer that would have gone unnoticed with traditional examinations and ensured that it was surgically removed in time. In the same operation, I also received a new breast, which made recovery easier and sped up my return to everyday life. I am grateful for Helena's top-level professionalism and the warm-hearted care she provided, which I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone facing breast cancer.
Janna
5 tähteä
Thank you to Dr. Helena Puonti for the warm and caring treatment during my breast cancer journey. Her professionalism and swift action were invaluable when my life was turned upside down. Although I had to lose my breast, Helena built a perfect new one to replace it, which eased my recovery both mentally and physically. I am grateful to have been in such capable hands.
Enisa
5 tähteä
Thank you, Helena, for saving my life and restoring my femininity. Her skill and warm, personal approach made the difficult journey through breast cancer a bit easier. After two cancer diagnoses, Helena created beautiful and natural breasts for me, and with her support, I have rediscovered myself. I am proud to share her exceptional professionalism. I cannot recommend her enough to anyone considering similar procedures.
Ulla
5 tähteä
The service at Clinic Helena was exceptionally professional and compassionate from start to finish. Dr. Helena Puonti’s experienced eye noticed something that had been missed in previous examinations. Her precision and dedication ensured that my cancer was detected in time. The surgery was carefully planned, and I was especially grateful that the breast reconstruction using my own abdominal tissue was performed during the same operation as the mastectomy. Just two weeks later, I was cleared to return to China and my daily life. Recovery was quick, and the care throughout the entire process was first-class. Follow-up visits were arranged flexibly, which made my life abroad much easier. I am grateful to Helena Puonti and the entire clinic team for their professionalism and care.
Maija
5 tähteä
Three years after my breast cancer surgery, Helena kept her promise and reconstructed a new breast for me using my own tissue. Together, we chose a method that suited my life situation and wishes – without a back scar and using abdominal tissue. The process was carefully planned, and some sensation has even returned to the reconstructed breast. The result is beautiful and natural, and I couldn't be happier. Now I can fully focus on new challenges. Thank you, Helena, for this amazing work and the support I received throughout the journey!
Raija
5 tähteä
In the spring of 2005, I was diagnosed with a precancerous stage of breast cancer, and thanks to Helena Puonti, I not only received the necessary treatment but also a new breast in the same surgery. She listened to my wishes and created a smaller, beautifully shaped breast from an abdominal flap. Later, the healthy breast was also reduced, and the result has been perfect – the breasts are symmetrical and the scars are not bothersome. Although I was fearful at first, Helena’s professionalism and care helped me recover. Now I can live an active life and enjoy hobbies, even running, as large breasts no longer restrict my movement. Thank you, Helena, for making this difficult journey as good as it could be.
Liisa
5 tähteä
Helena Puonti discovered my breast cancer, even though the initial examinations did not reveal it. Her determination and precision saved the situation. The breast had to be removed, but the new breast Helena promised was reconstructed using tissue taken from my abdomen. The result is stunning – sensitive, firm, and beautifully shaped. Later, the other breast was corrected as well, and now they are completely identical. Although the treatments were tough, Helena's professionalism and care made this journey bearable. I am immensely grateful to Helena for restoring my life and femininity!
Arina
5 tähteä
I got a very good impression of the clinic, everything was very clean. Doctor Helena was very friendly and professional. I felt great confidence that I would undergo a high-quality operation. I was always able to ask any questions I had in my mind and I got detailed answers to them. A huge thank you to the clinic’s staff, especially Olga and Inna.
Sofia
5 tähteä
I cannot recommend her enough to anyone in need of or considering similar procedures. She performs everything according to the highest clinical standards with an exceptionally personal touch. Thank you, Helena, for saving my life and restoring my femininity.
Olga
5 tähteä
I want to express my deepest respect and feeling of gratitude to Helena and the staff of the clinic she leads. Thank you for the professionalism, tactful treatment of the patient in a difficult life situation, sincere care. You pay attention to everything, even in the smallest things. Helena is just a magician. With all her actions and words she installs confidence in the patient. She ensures you that everything will be fine and everything is under her professional control. Thank you very much for everything!!!
Ella
5 tähteä
You made me a beautiful new breast from a piece taken from my abdomen. The surgery went great, and the breast is truly stunning and firm. Sensation is gradually starting to return to the skin. In the autumn, the other breast was corrected too—it's gorgeous as well, and now they’re a perfect pair.
Aino
5 tähteä
A warm thank you for last week's discussion with the breast cancer course participants from Kela. It was incredibly hope-inspiring for many and thus supported the idea of leaving cancer behind.
Hoidon tulokset ja ennusteet

Rintasyövän hoidon tulokset ja ennusteet

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Survival Rates for Breast Cancer in Finland
Basic keys to a good recovery
Esteettinen kuva, joka kertoo 4-5 viikkoa täydelliseen toipumiseen leikkauksesta.
Meet the doctors

Our Diverse Specialist Team

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Kuva: Tri Helena Puonti
Helena Puonti
English, Finnish
Helena is one of Finland’s top plastic surgeons, a microsurgery expert, and a breast cancer surgery specialist. In 2002, she received the Good Oncologist Award from the Cancer Foundation.
Tuomas Karstila
English, Finnish
Specialist Tuomas Karstila brings expertise in radiology, MRI, and image-guided biopsies, focusing on precise diagnostics for breast cancer patients.
Kuva: Tohtori Kalevi Pulkkanen
Kalevi Pulkkanen
English, Finnish
Oncologist Kalevi Pulkkanen specializes in chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
Kuva: Tri Helena Puonti
Helena Puonti
English, Finnish
Helena is one of Finland’s top plastic surgeons, a microsurgery expert, and a breast cancer surgery specialist. In 2002, she received the Good Oncologist Award from the Cancer Foundation.
Tuomas Karstila
English, Finnish
Specialist Tuomas Karstila brings expertise in radiology, MRI, and image-guided biopsies, focusing on precise diagnostics for breast cancer patients.
Kuva: Tohtori Kalevi Pulkkanen
Kalevi Pulkkanen
English, Finnish
Oncologist Kalevi Pulkkanen specializes in chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
Päivi Tuominen
English, Finnish
Päivi Tuominen is our Cheaf Operative Nurse and, together with our doctors, responsible for ensuring that patients feel comfortable and well cared for.
Inna Aladina
English, Finnish, Russian
Inna Aladina is responsible for our patient administration and customers service. Inna speaks Finnish, English and Russian.

Questions Regarding Breast Reconstruction

How much time do I need to plan for surgery at Clinic Helena?

If you’re considering surgery at Clinic Helena, we recommend setting aside 7 to 10 days for your visit.
This includes your pre-operative consultation, the surgery itself, initial recovery, and follow-up appointments before returning home.

The procedure typically does not require a long hospital stay. After the first night, you can stay in nearby hotels arranged or recommended by our team. Most patients are able to travel home safely just a few days after surgery, but we recommend staying until the stitches are removed, which usually takes place around 10 days after the procedure. This allows us to monitor your healing process, ensuring optimal recovery and the best possible outcome.

When is the right time for breast reconstruction?

A new breast can be reconstructed once the patient has fully recovered from cancer treatments and is in good overall health. Typically, reconstruction is considered 2 to 3 years after completing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. This waiting period allows the body to heal properly and helps reduce surgical risks. In some cases—when no additional treatments are needed—reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the tumor removal surgery (immediate reconstruction).

What’s the difference between mastectomy and partial breast removal?

Mastectomy involves removing the entire breast, often needed for extensive cancer or high recurrence risk. Partial removal takes out only the tumor and nearby tissue to preserve the breast’s look. Reconstruction after mastectomy can happen during the same surgery or after healing. Changes in breast shape after partial removal can be addressed with reconstructive procedures like fat grafting.

What’s the typical recovery time after breast reconstruction?

Healing times differ for each person, but wounds usually heal within 2 to 4 weeks –  If your surgery involved more complex techniques, recovery may take a bit longer. Swelling and bruising are common during the early stages but usually improve within a few weeks. The breast’s final shape and the appearance of scars may take 6 to 12 months to fully settle. The recovery of sensory nerves may take even longer. Wearing a supportive bra and moving gently will help your body heal more comfortably and effectively.

Take your first step with our nurse’s guidance

Book a Free Phone Consultation

We are here to help you every step of the way.

We understand that taking the first step toward treatment can be difficult. Our expert team is committed to providing you with high-quality care and personal support so that you feel safe and supported.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch – we are here for you.

Osoitetarra

Rautatienkatu 27,
33100 Tampere