How long do I have to wear tissue expanders after my last fill?

Hi and thanks for your question.  If you're referring to tissue expanders in the setting of breast reconstruction there's no specific timeframe.  The waiting interval after the last fill usually depends upon what the surgeon is comfortable with, and any specific aspects related to the patients reconstruction and other therapies that he/she might be receiving.  I would probably wait at least 3 weeks, but in some cases might wait up to 3 months.  Good luck!

I will typically wait at least 4 weeks prior to exchanging tissue expanders for permanent implants after the last fill. This allows the skin to settle and soften as much as possible prior to the exchange and prevent any rebound skin contraction. Expanders can stay in for a much longer time, but I try not to keep them in for a prolonged amount of time (greater than 3 months) as they can be uncomfortable for some patients. 

Once the desired size of expansion is reached, I
usually have patients wait 2-3 months for things to settle prior to returning
to the OR to replace expanders with permanent implants.

I usually wait 4 weeks if possible before performing an implant exchange. In theory, this give the tissue time to consolidate before the next stage of surgery. 

...I wait at least 6-8 weeks and preferably closer to the 8 weeks.  I will say that the longer the better.  I've had some patients come back 6 months after for one reason or another (marathon training, etc), and the breast just is easier and better to work with at the 2nd stage if you wait.  Of course there is a point of diminishing returns as well.

Tissue expanders stay in for atleast 4 weeks , but can be up to three months depending on your Plastic Surgeons preferance and your skin, if radiation is involved or not, etc. 

I usually wait about 4-6 weeks all things equal before exchanging expanders for implants, but there are other factors that can come into play.

The time to exchange the tissue expander to breast implant in breast reconstruction is a decision the plastic surgeon will make based on the skin condition, the elasticity of the skin and muscle, and other factors to make the reconstruction a successful process.

In general if you do not need radiation or chemotherapy, I have patients wait 2-3 months after their last fill before we proceed with switching the expanders out for implants (2nd stage surgery). This period of time allows for the expanders to settle into place more as well as your body to form an adequate scar capsule around the implants. The time to wait of course varies from surgeon to surgeon, so there is a wide range of preferences.