Implant Reconstruction After a Mastectomy: The Opt...
Breast Cancer
If you’ve elected to have implant reconstruction following a mastectomy, there are two options for the procedure: using a breast tissue expander which is a two-step process, or direct-to-implant reconstruction which is completed at the same time as the mastectomy.
With the tissue expander implant reconstruction, an expander is put in between the skin and chest muscle at the same time as the mastectomy surgery or afterwards, if you’re choosing delayed reconstruction. The expander has a small valve that will be filled gradually over time with saline every one to two weeks, stretching the skin until the area is ready for the permanent implant.
Only a minority of women are great candidates for direct-to-implant reconstruction, says Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, that’s because it’s best for women with small breasts and/or women who are having no skin removed and preserving the nipple and areola. Women who are able to get this option can go home from a mastectomy with their breast reconstructed.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
If you’ve elected to have implant reconstruction following a mastectomy, there are two options for the procedure: using a breast tissue expander which is a two-step process, or direct-to-implant reconstruction which is completed at the same time as the mastectomy.
With the tissue expander implant reconstruction, an expander is put in between the skin and chest muscle at the same time as the mastectomy surgery or afterwards, if you’re choosing delayed reconstruction. The expander has a small valve that will be filled gradually over time with saline every one to two weeks, stretching the skin until the area is ready for the permanent implant.
Only a minority of women are great candidates for direct-to-implant reconstruction, says Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, that’s because it’s best for women with small breasts and/or women who are having no skin removed and preserving the nipple and areola. Women who are able to get this option can go home from a mastectomy with their breast reconstructed.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Treatment: Choosing Your Treatment
Treatment: Early Stages
Treatment: Hormone Treatments
A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.
Treatment: Surgery
A mastectomy involves removing the breast – a treatment route many patients with breast cancer feel they will have no choice but to undergo. But it’s not the only surgical option.
Treatment: Explaining the Options
For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.
Treatment: Reconstruction
For patients who do have to have their breasts or a piece of their breasts removed, there are a number of surgical reconstruction options available.
Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.
Treatment: Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic swelling that can occur after breast cancer surgery and radiation.