Tissue expanders are selected based on your chest wall measurements. Depending on your anatomy, it may not be a reasonable to expect DD breasts after bilateral mastectomy breast reconstruction. Please visit with a board certified PS to learn more about your options.
Tissue expanders for breast reconstruction are available in different shapes and sizes. Round tissue expanders are available as well as expanders with more of a breast shape. Each has specific dimensions. It is best to choose the expander that best matches your specific measurements. The base width of the breast to be reconstructed is a very important measurement. Most often surgeons used expanders with more of a breast shape. In this case the width of the breast to be reconstructed is an important measurement. The next measurement would be the height of the expander necessary to create the ideal breast. Projection is the measurement from the chest wall straight out to the most projecting part of the breast which is normally the nipple area. Most often expanders with the most projection are selected because the component of the reconstruction is the achievement of adequate projection. Each patient has a different capacity for expansion. Some will expand more than others. This is one reason why it is difficult to predict the final outcome regarding size, projection and cup size. Ultimately the projection is the most important dimension when determining cup size. The size tissue expanders which should be used therefore should be determined by your specific preoperative measurements.
