Is it safe to overfill temporary (6 weeks before OP) Mentor's TE with 40-50% of its maximal capacity without causing rupture?

Thank you for your question. You have a legitimate concern, and generally it is important to stick to the manufacturer recommendations. Although, in this instance, overfilling is ok. During my training, I wanted to see how much a mentor expander could be overfilled before it burst. I reached nearly 3 times the recommended fill volume and it still hadn't ruptured, but I physically could not inject any more fluid. The expanders are tough and that is why they are temporary, they aren't soft enough to be left in permanently. I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson Richards

Although not recommended, significant overfilling of a breast implant with saline probably does not pose any significant risk for failure of the implant.

Overfilling tissue expanders is not dangerous and should not cause you any problems.  The goal is to stretch out your skin as much as possible.  Especially since this is a short term thing, you should not be worried.

Unlike saline implants, tissue expanders are quite hardy; In my practice, I pay no attention to the volume capacity of the expander; I place an expander based on the width and height of the breast and fill as much as is needed to give the appropriate shape and size. My filling limitation is based on tissue thickness rather than expander volume. Hope that helps.

Overfilling tissue expanders should be ok. They are temporary devices that can be overfilled to achieve the desired stretch.

These implants are typically very strong and a 50% over fill should not be a problem. The bigger issue is, your operating Plastic Surgeons comfort level wiht over expansion and his / her experience.Good LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

I have overfilled Mentor saline filled breast implants significantly past the upper limit of the manufacturers range amny times, without noticing an increased  rate of deflation. Of course, your plastic surgeon and/or online consultants, will not be able to guarantee you that the leakage rate will not be greater. Best wishes.

Hello Jessica!  This is a common question and I think the safest answer is that every Plastic Surgeon has his or her own opinion on how much a tissue expander can and should be overfilled prior to permanent implant exchange.  The key is to choose an expander preoperatively that will get you to your desired size without having to overfill it too much and risk rupture.  I will overfill if necessary, but I would likely not go much further than 50% overfill.  Again, many surgeons will have differing opinions, and I would trust the personal experience of your Plastic Surgeon who did your surgery and who is doing your expansions.  I hope this helps!  

Jessica,You are referring to a temporary tissue expansion device, not a permanent implant.  Temporary tissue expanders are designed to be overfilled far beyond the stated nominal final volume, which reflects the size implant that will later be placed, and not the maximum fill volume. These are routinely incrementally filled to 150%, or more, of the nominal volume in order to expand the space and facilitate soft tissue accommodation of the proposed implant.  Ask your surgeon for more information regarding this.