How is breast reconstruction done?
There are two general techniques of reconstruction. One technique uses a breast implant which is made of silicone and contains silicone gel, saline, or a combination of both. The second uses the patient’s own skin, fat, and muscle to recreate the breast mound (flap reconstruction). How is the implant method done? Following mastectomy the surgeon places a tissue expander beneath the skin and muscle. This is a balloon made of silicone which will gradually be inflated over several weeks or months with saline (salt water). This expander placement requires about one hour under general anesthesia and one or two days of hospitalization. When the desired expansion is achieved , a second stage is required to remove the expander and replace it with the permanent implant. In some cases, a type of expander may be used which remains as the final implant. The second operation usually takes one or two hours and most often is performed as an outpatient or short hospital stay. This technique is the sim
