I have 400cc expanders. How far beyond the 400cc is it safe to fill?

These factors underscore why it is critical to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast reconstruction techniques. Good luck to you as you go through the reconstruction process.

 


Answer:    Great question. You are correct tissue
expanders can be overfilled up to twice the amount.   The
tissue expander is made to be overfilled, however, over stretching the pocket may make the final implant be loose.  Consult with your plastic surgeon to
see what your options for larger implants could be for your final results. 


Good luck with
your reconstruction process.

Overfilling an expander beyond its listed volume is fairly typical, though doubling the amount to 800 mL is likely too much. Continue to work with your reconstructive surgeon to determine how much volume you need prior to exchange to permanent implants. 

Thanks for your question. It’s generally considered safe to expand these tissue expanders to some extent over their stated fill volume. However it’s impossible to expand them to twice their volume. Other options are available if you’d like to have larger implants. Consult with your plastic surgeon.  

Actually, I have many patients that wish to go to XL sizes which is my specialty and they have over expanded to those sizes. There is always a risk that they could deflate but unusual. I do start with XL tissue expanders in these patients though.