Factors in Considering Expanders and Breast Implants After Mastectomy?

What determines whether you have an expander to Breast implants instead of direct implant after mastectomy?

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mastectomy expander

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by aemom in usa

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Expanders after mastectomy

The decision to use a tissue expander first, or an implant depends upon whether or not a skin sparing mastectomy was performed and comfort level of the surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Factors in Considering Expanders and Breast Implants After Mastectomy

The two most important factors to consider in distinguishing between immediate implant versus expanders after mastectomy are: the size you desire to be and the amount of skin left after mastectomy.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

The amount of tissue left and its condition

Hello, Immediate implant placement at mastectomy is sometimes possible especially if you are healthy, have a good general surgeon and have a skin-sparing mastectomy. It really depends upon the amount and condition of the tissue left after the mastectomy and tends to work better for smaller breasts with the need for smaller implants. Good Luck and Best Regards.

Pros and cons

The main determinant is how much volume the skin can withstand. Whenever a mastectomy is done the skin has less blood supply. When you stretch the skin it also decreases the blood supply. So if the skin is stretched at the time of mastectomy and reconstruction it may net heal and can cause a variety of complicationa. Thereofr the expander is safer for wound healing after the surgery. If however there is enough good skin and the patient is willing to accept a possible smaller breat size then... more

Breast reconstruction is complex

There are many factors to consider before deciding whether to use a tissue expander or go straight to an implant. The most important one is how much skin is left and what size the breast reconstruction is planned for. The less skin there is the more chance that you will need a tissue expander to achieve a proportionate size. The more skin there is after a mastectomy the more likely it is that going straight to an implant will work. Breast size is also important. The smaller the size, the... more

This decision can only be made after an extensive consultation about breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is one of the nicest things we can do for patients who unfortunately loose their breast to cancer or need to be removed to prevent cancer developing. The decision to have a breast reconstruction and what kind of reconstruction can only be made after an extensive consultation and examination. There are a great number of choices from expanders followed by implantation of the final implant, to latissimus dorsi muscle flaps from the back with or with out... more