What Are the Benefits of a Two Stage Breast Reconstruction?

Two stage breast reconstruction usually refers to a tissue expander followed by implant reconstruction. In the first surgery, a tissue expander is placed underneath the pectoralis muscle with a dermal matrix (such as Alloderm) used as a sling of the lower portion of the expander. The expander is slowly increased in size over time allowing the pocket that is forming to progressively fill out the skin from the mastectomy. This essentially allows for a controlled expansion process to... more

Hi Anne. I am assuming you are asking about one versus two stage implant reconstruction. Please resend question to clarify this. Or are you talking about implant versus autologous tissue (your own tissue) reconstruction? In the case of one versus two stage implant reconstruction, this decision is made between you, your breast surgeon and your plastic surgeon. Not everyone is a candidate for one stage implant reconstruction and the reasons why are very complicated to explain. Please... more

A one stage versus a two stage procedure does not make one better than the other. It really depends on what type of reconstruction is performed.  Autologous( your own) tissue versus a non-autologous reconstruction( tissue expander and then implant).