Tissue Expander

I had diep flap reconstruction on 11/15. Unfortunately flap on rt side failed, so I have an implant on the rt and the flap on the left. I like the appearance and the feel of the flap versus the implant. The implant has really been causing a lot of trouble for me, and I may just have it taken out.. Make sure you really do your homework on this. It was a grueling 15 hour surgery for me. I also needed a blood transfusion after.

I don't regret my choice, but it is a little disappointing to go through all of that and not have optimal results. Good luck with everything. So sorry to hear of your troubles with tissue expanders. Unfortunately 30% of the women we perform DIEP flaps for have had failed attempts at implant/expander reconstruction. It is possible that the infection could be treated and then later re-try an implant but it may very well happen again. The benefit of the DIEP is that no implants are use and the risk for infection is minimal. It also preserves the muscles of your tummy wall while producing a natural, soft, warm breast that is meant to last a lifetime. (We don't perform TRAM flaps any longer since the DIEP preserves the muscle)

James E. Craigie, M.D.

We usually use either Mentor contoured tissue expanders, which have more projection at the bottom than the top, or Mentor round expanders with a remote port. If patients are using tissue expanders only as a “bridge” during post-mastectomy radiation until they can receive a flap reconstruction, then we prefer the remote port model, because it won’t interfere with the MRI we like to get prior to flap surgery to look at the vessels. If the patient is planning on having a permanent implant reconstruction, then the contoured expander (which is not compatible with MRI) may produce a better initial shape.

Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D. We usually use either Mentor contoured tissue expanders, which have more projection at the bottom than the top, or Mentor round expanders with a remote port. If patients are using tissue expanders only as a “bridge” during post-mastectomy radiation until they can receive a flap reconstruction, then we prefer the remote port model, because it won’t interfere with the MRI we like to get prior to flap surgery to look at the vessels. If the patient is planning on having a permanent implant reconstruction, then the contoured expander (which is not compatible with MRI) may produce a better initial shape.

Richard M. Kline Jr., M.D.

Yes, the silicone implants will definitely feel softer than expanders. You will still need to adjust to them too however. Yes, the silicone implants will definitely feel softer than expanders. You will still need to adjust to them too however.

I hear this fairly often from patients that have experienced unsuccessful implant-based breast reconstructions.

The usual culprit is infection, not rejection. Infected tissue expanders or implants are very difficult to treat and unfortunately usually require removal.

In reality, the body isn't "rejecting" the expander or Alloderm. True rejection is caused by the body's immune system reacting to tissue from another body, like a transplanted organ, not a man-made object like an implant.

I hope that helps.

Dr C
http://www.PRMA-enhance.com I hear this fairly often from patients that have experienced unsuccessful implant-based breast reconstructions.

The usual culprit is infection, not rejection. Infected tissue expanders or implants are very difficult to treat and unfortunately usually require removal.

In reality, the body isn't "rejecting" the expander or Alloderm. True rejection is caused by the body's immune system reacting to tissue from another body, like a transplanted organ, not a man-made object like an implant.

I hope that helps.

Dr C
http://www.PRMA-enhance.com