I had a left mastectomy 12 months ago, this year I had my right breast removed with tissue expanders inserted : siltex becker 35 contour expanders 460cc, which I understand can be over filled to 535cc Am at 400cc inflation but am lopsided and shapeless still. I anticipated having a fuller breast shape by now and concerned if my expander is to small. My right side is not filling out as much as the left side, which is too high and there is little projection or breast cradle on either side..
October 19, 2015
Answer: Asymmetric Tissue Expanders Thank you for your question. Depending on how asymmetric your breast were prior to surgery and how much tissue was removed with each mastectomy side, it is not uncommon to see some asymmetry at the tissue expander stage. The nice thing about staging breast reconstruction is that many of these concerns can be drastically improved at the second stage when the final implants are placed. All the best.Dr. Gill
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October 19, 2015
Answer: Asymmetric Tissue Expanders Thank you for your question. Depending on how asymmetric your breast were prior to surgery and how much tissue was removed with each mastectomy side, it is not uncommon to see some asymmetry at the tissue expander stage. The nice thing about staging breast reconstruction is that many of these concerns can be drastically improved at the second stage when the final implants are placed. All the best.Dr. Gill
Helpful
September 23, 2015
Answer: Expectations with tissue expanders Thank you for including photos. In your photo, it does look like you are lacking some projection (outward expansion) of the breast as compared to your example photo. There are several ways to address this, but I should mention that this warrants a discussion with your reconstructive surgeon. There are different shapes/projections of expanders, and you may simply just need a larger one to help the expand the skin outward for a more round shape. Additionally, expanders do not always look like an implant will look. Implants can be a lot more round with better projection, but you need to have enough skin there to begin with.
Helpful
September 23, 2015
Answer: Expectations with tissue expanders Thank you for including photos. In your photo, it does look like you are lacking some projection (outward expansion) of the breast as compared to your example photo. There are several ways to address this, but I should mention that this warrants a discussion with your reconstructive surgeon. There are different shapes/projections of expanders, and you may simply just need a larger one to help the expand the skin outward for a more round shape. Additionally, expanders do not always look like an implant will look. Implants can be a lot more round with better projection, but you need to have enough skin there to begin with.
Helpful
