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After Radiation - How Long to Wait Before Replacing Expanders w/ Implants?

slsorensonApr 23, 2011
Is there a preferred waiting time after radiation, to replace expanders with the implants?

Answers (6)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Dr. Richard Baxter, MD
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Dr. Richard Baxter, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
4.8 | 103 Reviews
Answered on Apr 26, 2011
Answer
Dr. Steven Wallach, MD
Dr. Steven Wallach, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Jun 6, 2011
Answer
Dr. David L. Abramson, MD
Dr. David L. Abramson, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Apr 25, 2011
Answer
Dr. Marcel Daniels, MD
Dr. Marcel Daniels, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Apr 25, 2011
Answer
Dr. Samir Shureih, MD
Dr. Samir Shureih, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Apr 25, 2011
Answer
Dr. Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired)
Dr. Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired)
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Aug 22, 2011
Answer

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Richard Baxter, MD

I am sure you understand that no one can give you definitive advice without seeing you, but if there is an area where there is only skin over the expander then I would advise caution with vigorous exercise. Be sure to discuss the situation with you plastic surgeon. The repair may involve more...

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Scott Tucker, MD

This will be a heavy implant, but if you like the size of the 750 expander then you will need a 750 to 800 cc implant to match.  The silicone gel implants will feel much softer than your expanders and are usually much more comfortable. Good Luck Dr T

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Lewis Albert Andres, MD

One of the newest techniques for breast reconstruction involve utilization of the exciting benefits of fat grafting. Much research has been put forth into plastic surgery for harvesting of fat and its potential as stem cells. Fat grafting and transfer has been utilized both for breast...

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Martin Jugenburg, MD

You are correct to worry about tissue expansion after radiotherapy.  Radiation irreversibly damages all tissues and makes tissue expansion very difficult and prone to complications.  For this reason most plastic surgeons recommend against using tissue expansion and implants in...

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Michael Orseck, MD

Unfortunately, significant discomfort frequently occurs following tissue expanders, especially if a high volume is initially placed.  If your symptoms are severe, they may be related to a blood clot, or other systemic problem.  More commonly, you are just experiencing the pressure...

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Richard Baxter, MD

A tissue expander is a temporary implant, which has a "port" where saline can be injected into it at regular inervals to expand skin. With breast reconstruction, the initial volume of saline placed depends on several factors. It is imprtant to avoid putting any tension on the overlying...

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