Implant is the easier type of reconstructive surgery. There is less pain and down time. The flap-type surgeries using tissue from your own body are pretty intense. The comments I've read and heard on the flap procedures have been pretty positive. I opted for an implant. I have had an expander in my breast for 8 months. I am due for surgery next month, but am having misgivings. Since my mastectomy I have had severe and bizarre health problems including constant headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, tingling, burning, jabbing pain all throughout my body. Extreme fatigue and fibromyalgia. I have been to all kinds of specialists trying to figure it out. An allergist thinks it is the breast implant, and has experience with women with such symptoms who subsequently had their implants removed and their symptoms dissipated. The very next day I spoke with a women who has the same problem I do, only not as severe. She said she really struggled with having the imlants done, as she was aware of the reaction potential, and now she is paying the price. It is a lot to think about, but I am leaning toward the flap procedure, because I can't continue to live in this condition.
A word of warning: You probably won't get any support from any of your doctors involved. When I asked my plastic surgeon about reactions to the expander or the implants he completely denied the possiblity. Remember when the people who said amalgam fillings were bad for you were looked at idiots??