During your consultation, your plastic surgeon

• Will examine your abdomen and breasts to take note of their size, shape, skin quality and nipple position.
• May take measurements of your breast.
• May take photographs to include in your chart.
• Will discuss the likely outcomes of reconstruction, risks of surgery and potential complications

Together with your plastic surgeon, you will select the reconstruction method that is best for you.

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon

• Will examine your abdomen and breasts to take note of their size, shape, skin quality and nipple position.
• May take measurements of your breast.
• May take photographs to include in your chart.
• Will discuss the likely outcomes of reconstruction, risks of surgery and potential complications

Together with your plastic surgeon, you will select the reconstruction method that is best for you.

Implant Based Reconstruction

Implant based reconstruction uses silicone or saline implants to reconstruct the breast mound A reconstructed breast that appears like a natural breast in clothing. . Based on the type of mastectomy you undergo, the quality of your tissues after your mastectomy and your need for radiation treatment, you may be eligible for one of two types of implant based reconstruction, direct to implant or tissue expander to implant reconstruction.

Tissue Expander to Implant Reconstruction

Tissue expander to implant reconstruction involves two stages. 

Stage A step in the breast reconstruction process defined by a separate surgery. 1: tissue expanders are placed in front of or behind the pectoralis muscle at the time of mastectomy or anytime afterwards. The expanders are temporary and are inflated over weeks to months to enlarge the breast space.

Stage A step in the breast reconstruction process defined by a separate surgery. 2: tissue expanders are exchanged for a softer long term implant in an outpatient/same day surgery.

Tissue Expansion Process 

During an expander fill, 50-60ml of sterile saline is injected into the expander through a port that lies just beneath the skin. The fill is usually painless. In cases where the expander is placed beneath the chest muscle (pectoralis muscle), you may experience mild to moderate soreness and muscle spasms after each fill. This can be treated with a prescription from your surgeon.

Expander fills are done on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule until your goal fill is achieved. The endpoint of your expansion process depends on the final breast size you desire. For most patients, this will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the quality of your tissues during your mastectomy and expander placement surgery, your surgeon might decided to partially fill your expander in the operating room. This will decrease the number of clinic sessions needed to get to your goal fill.

The video below demonstrates an expander fill session during a clinic visit. 

Pedicled Flap Surgery

Combined Breast Reconstruction

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon

• Will examine your abdomen and breasts to take note of their size, shape, skin quality and nipple position.
• May take measurements of your breast.
• May take photographs to include in your chart.
• Will discuss the likely outcomes of reconstruction, risks of surgery and potential complications

Together with your plastic surgeon, you will select the reconstruction method that is best for you.

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon

• Will examine your abdomen and breasts to take note of their size, shape, skin quality and nipple position.
• May take measurements of your breast.
• May take photographs to include in your chart.
• Will discuss the likely outcomes of reconstruction, risks of surgery and potential complications

Together with your plastic surgeon, you will select the reconstruction method that is best for you.