Breast Reconstruction: Q&A
Ask a QuestionUneven Softness on Breast Tissue Expander
I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had bilateral mastectomy with tissue expander reconstruction. I was filled with 350cc's. It was done about 3 weeks ago. The expanders feel kind of soft in some areas. Is this normal?
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9 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
goryes
in las vegas,nevada
+2
Tissue expanders
Tissue expanders can feel soft until they are filled to the max. If you are concerned, then I would speak to or see your surgeon
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The feel of tissue expanders
During my consultation with my patients, when discussing tissue expander reconstruction, I describe the tissue expander implants as "under construction" implants. They will feel irregular and hard. If you are feeling areas that are soft, it may be that your tissue expanders are underfilled. Don't worry, your plastic surgeon has the ability to fill your expander up in your office gradually. This is the normal part of the reconstructive process during...
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Tissue expander breast reconstruction in Los Angeles
This is normal. The strategy for a tissue expander is to underfill in order to optimize breast tissue perfusion. Your surgeon will begin to fill the tissue expander soon.
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Irregular sensation over your breast tissue expander
This is quite normal and typically reflects the characteristics of the tissues covering the expander. In some areas it may be muscle which tends to be firm and in the other areas it may be skin and fat which tends to be softer. Some surgeons use skin like subtitutes to provide additional coverage of the lower and inner parts of tne breast which may cause a different sensation as well.
Ask you surgeon and I am sure he will gladly answer your questions.
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Expander feel different
Expanders have a soft shell and a port through which the implant is located and filled. The "hard part" is the port that is felt through the skin with the soft part usually being the silicone portion of expander itself. If you have concerns that something is changed, make sure you address it with your plastic surgeon.
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
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Tissue expanders feel different from implants
Most tissue expanders have a very rough and irregular texture to their surface. Often times, patients are able to feel these irregularities through their skin. Although some of the irregularities may be inherent to your residual breast skin and tissue envelope, this will likely improve once the expanders are replaced by permanent implants.
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How a tissue expander feels
The feel of a tissue expander depends on two things:
How much skin/fat/muscle are covering the expander
How full the expander is
The amount of tissue overlying the expander will affect its feel. The more fatty tissue there is, the softer the feel.
Your tissue expanders were filled with 350cc's of saline, but if they are 450cc expanders, they will feel soft. If they are filled to the nominal (amount of saline needed to remove all wrinkles) amount, they will be...
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Uneven softness in recent tissue expanders likely is normal
Goryes: We're sorry to hear you had breast cancer and needed reconstruction. I assume you have had the opportunity to talk with your Plastic Surgeon at length.
Tissue expanders are usually placed under thin skin and some muscle. Then they are partially filled initially. The expander itself has a firm disk that is designed for injection to fill it further, and softer pliable fluid-filled bag or shell. Given these factors it would not be unusual for you to feel different amounts of...
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Uneven consistency of breast tissue expanders
There are many factors that may account for what you are experiencing:
1. The expander my not be completely filled after 3 wks.
2 The shape of the epander or its wall construction.
3. The thickness of your tissue in that area.
4.The presence of a fluid collection.
Your surgeon should be able to answer your question.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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