Thinner skin after TE infection: is there a way to strengthen my skin?

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your tissue expander issues.  After all residual signs of infection have resolved, upwards of 4-6 months, a second procedure can be performed to try and replace your TE with the use of an internal skin support for tissue support.  If the skin is too compromised there are other reconstructive options that can be pursued using your own tissues, so speak with your surgeon at length about your options.  Hope this helps.

After mastectomy and especially after having an infection the skin becomes thin. You can place an acellular dermal matrix.This is place between the tissue expander and the overlying skin.

Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about your experience. Please speak to your plastic surgeon about your options as he/she knows your case best. Hope you feel better soon.

tissue expansion can cause fainting or attenuation of the skin and muscle underneath. While you may have some improvement with time it is likely to be minimal. Options in the future would include a cellular dermal matrix such as Alloderm,either alone or in combination with fat grafting by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Your plastic surgeon may also recommend a reconstructive technique in which new skin is brought into the area of reconstruction from another donor site on your body. This would also require a lengthy consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.  

Very sorry to hear that you had trouble with your tissue expander and needed to have it removed. It is common to have thin skin after having a tissue expander and sometimes even more thin with complications. There are a number of way to deal with this problem when you want to have a secondary reconstruction performed. These include using tissue substitutes or probably better would be to use your own tissue. This can happen in any number of ways. It is important for you to see a surgeon who offers all microsurgical options if possible to let you know what all options may be. Best of luck to you!

It sounds like you had a wound infection. Often by waiting 4-6 months, a new TE can be placed.  You can also consider autologous tissue reconstruction as well.

I'm sorry about the rocky road you are currently traveling.  Unfortunately breast reconstruction can have a complication rate of 10-40% depending on who you ask. An acellular human dermis such as Alloderm can help.  Fat grafting can also help rejuvenate you skin and give your reconstructed breast a healthier appearance. Good luck!

 I am sorry to hear the complication you have experienced.  One option that will likely be available to you, when the time is right to replace the tissue expander, will be the use of acellular dermal matrix.  This material will help provide additional coverage and support between  the tissue expander and the overlying skin.  It will be important to use good judgment when it comes to timing to return to the operating room, removal of any very thin (or unstable) skin and use of appropriate size of tissue expander. Best wishes.