Are tissue expanders made of metal, and a balloon like chamber, or do they just have a metal valve?

Question

in blogs women say they are like iron bras.. please explain

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

Tissue expanders are similar to a saline implant in which both come empty or as a silicone shell.  The expanders are textured and thicker than a regular saline implant.  They do have a metal backing behind the valve so when the tissue expander is being filled in the office, the needle doesn't puncture the implant. As women are getting filled each week they are feeling tighter and heavier in their breasts.  It can be very uncomfortable but tolerable when the expanders are filled to their capacity or beyond, since they can be over filled. Some patients need a valium for muscle spasms when they are expanded, and fewer patients need pain medicine..   I hope this helps....

Joseph B. Eby, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Taginvegas thanks for your question. The shell of tissue expanders are very similar to breast implants just without the  gel inside. The newer expanders have an integrated port  which is  like a one way valve to allow a needle to  be  placed to fill the implant. The valve which is approximately the size of a quarter up to  a fifty-cent piece depending  on the brand does have a metal  backing to prevent  puncture  through  the  valve into  the implant. They are  very firm and feel hard which is how they are able to push on the muscle and skin to stretch out the tissue to  reshape the breast/skin after a mastectomy. Some patient's feel as if they are very uncomfortable whereas other patient's don't mind them. I have even had patients keep them in for greater than a year as they could not fit time in their schedule for the changeout procedure to implants.  I have attached a link from one  of  the manufacturers to show what they look like. I wish you all the best, regards. Dr. Joseph Eby

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Only the valve(integrated into the expander or remotely attached via a tube) are metal;hope this helps.Curious as to why you are asking?

Are tissue expanders made of metal, and a balloon like chamber, or do they just have a metal valve?

Answers (3)

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