How Much to Fill a Expander at Each Visit?

The amount to be placed in an expander depends upon a number of facors including the quality of the skin, the quality of the surgical of the surgical scar, the size of the expander and comfort. There is no set amount that should be placed in the expander. The other factor in the process is the need for chemotherapy and the associated timing of the second stage to remove the expander and replace it with the final reconstructive implant. Be patient, your surgeon has your best interests in mind.

Knowing how much to inject is dependent upon several factors:


The discomfort level of the patient

The amount of skin laxity after placement of the Expander

The size of the Expander

The time interval between injections


As a rule of thumb this is my approach:


One week after Placement of the Expander, I may place only 30 to 60 cc's

The following week I will usually inject approximately 60 to 100 cc's

From here on out I will inject with no set volume in mind but with a careful observation of the skin for excessive tightening, good blood supply and the comfort level of the patient.  Injections at this point are between 60 to 120 cc's per visit and are 10 to 14 days apart until the process is complete.