Orange County Breast Reconstruction doctors

Hi Lexi, thank you for your photos and your question.  The answer in short is no, the flaps will not grow thicker, and in fact may become more thin over time from the pressure of the implants.  Unlike breast augmentation where you have normal skin, fat and breast tissue & muscle covering the implant, after mastectomy, the only thing covering the implant is a very thin layer of fat and skin and muscle.  The results that you got are excellent.  I am sure that if you look hard enough, you could find someone to change your implants, but I truely think that you would regret it because you would have a very high liklihood of implant rippling and palpability and poor cosmetic results.  Good luck!

I would have to agree with Dr. Rand's assessment. Most of the time, the reconstructive option is that is best is the one most suited to your anatomy. Generally, a Latissimus muscular reconstruction would be better in a younger more athletic person, whereas a DIEP flap or TRAM flap (both from the lower abdomen) would be a better choice in someone with a little "extra" around the waist. Trying to put an implant back in a space after mastectomy and infection with damaged, thin tissues is frought with problems.

The most common cause for pain after the replacement of the expander with an implant is continued capsular contraction. If your breast remain fairly hard, it is possible that the process of inflamation and continued shrinking of the capsule results in a capsular contracture. I often start my patients on Singullair 10 mg per day for 2 months. Time is youe ally and waiting at least another 2 months is very important, so your doctor is correct. I have seen dramatic responses to Singulair. If there is no relief after the months of Singulair treatment, then I would consider a capsulotomy which is a relatively minor surgical procedure.