Reconstruction with an Implant

After a skin-sparing mastectomy, where the skin envelope is preserved, an expander implant is placed under your chest muscle (the pectoralis major muscle). The immediate advantage of this method is that it is a simple procedure.

Can the reconstruction be compared to a breast augmentation?

No. Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure with the goal of enhancement of the existing breast shape. In breast reconstruction almost all aspects of the shape have to be restored.

What is an Expander - Implant?

Two main types of expander-implants exist: there's either the simple expanders or, expander implants consisting of an inner lumen containing saline that allows for tissue expansion and an outer lumen of gel that is designed to provide a softer feeling implant. Through a remote injection of saline, volume adjustments can be made.

Does the Expander need to be replaced?

Simple expanders will need to be replaced with a permanent silicone gel implant. Becker expander implants do not necessarily need to be replaced as they already have a outer lumen consisting of gel. 

Why choose an implant-only reconstruction?

This is an easy and simple form of reconstruction, which any plastic or breast surgeon is able to provide for a patient and, is the most commonly used used type of reconstruction in the world. The results do not appear as natural as those by autologous reconstruction and the quality of the outcome is lower, but the risk of being hurt by the reconstruction is also reduced.

What is an implant?

An implant is a foreign material, which consists of silicone elastomer shell field, with either saline or silicone gel. 

Are silicon implants safe?

After many years of research, no link has been found between silicone implants and the development of cancer or, other related health problems such as rheumatoid arthrirtis.