Can breast tissue expanders stay in 6-9 months?

Hello!  There are no issues of keeping tissue expanders in for at least this period of time. It is actually common to have them in at least this long for those who undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation. Best wishes!

In fact, I have seen them stay in even longer.  They are not meant to stay in permanently, as they are to be replaced by softer and better shaped implants.  I have done over 2000 reconstructions.  Expanders appear different, feel firmer, and are saline.  The highly cohesive gel implants like those from Sientra appear and feel the best in my opinion.

Thanks for your question.  Yes, they are safe and can easily be left in place for 9 months. I have patients that have them in place much longer because they go through several months of chemotherarpy followed by radiation.  I will typically wait closer to one year after radiation before proceeding with an expander removal.  Please address your concerns with your surgeon.  Good luck. 

Hello,Tissue expanders can safely stay in place for 6-9 months or even longer if necessary.

There is probably no defined amount of time that tissue expanders can stay in.  It is often that women who undergo chemotherapy followed by radiation can have their tissue expanders for longer than 6-9 months. Most women choose to have their tissue expanders removed and exchanged for implants.  Good luck.   

Yes, they can stay in for longer if needed.  When they are filled to where a woman and her Plastic Surgeon wants them to be, in relation to desired end result size , they are usually uncomfortable due to the tightness and fullness.  Once you have the second stage surgery and have permanent implants, it is much more comfortable. 

Yes! They can stay in for as long as you need them to.  But it is recommended that after you are done with the filling process you should have an exchange with permanent implant(s) placed.

Tissue expanders for breast reconstruction can stay in 6 -9 months. There is no set time that they have to be exchanged but it is always better to exchange them sooner than later.

Yes tissue expanders although designed to be temporary are sometimes left in for much longer than originally intended due to delays in expansion, scheduling difficulties or even changes to insurance coverage. I have see expanders as old as 14 years return when they finally deflated. I have had several patients in the teaching or other professions who for scheduling reasons needed to put off the second stage reconstruction a year or more until their next break. Although it is not preferred to keep them in any longer than needed to expand the breast, only the discomfort of having a hard expander in the breast and the small risk of leakage of the expander would be reasons to suggest it be changed out sooner rather than later. I hope this helps, good luck on your journey through reconstruction, Regards Dr. Joseph Eby

...forever.  I have seen many patients come back after having their tissue expanders in for a long time and have had no issues.  Some women just can't find the time in their schedule for the second stage.  So spoken plainly, they can stay in as long as you want them to.