Stage 1: Tissue expander placement
The aim of today’s breast reconstruction is more demanding than ever. Advances in technique have enabled different contours and landmarks improving tremendously the aesthetic result of breast reconstruction.
In the mastectomy the plastic surgeon removes skin with breast tissue, making the breast tissues flat and tight. In order to create a breast shape pocket for the implants a tissue expander is placed under the remain tissues breast.
The tissue expander is a device which looks like a balloon made of elastic silicone. The air in the tissue expander is evacuated and then filled with sterilized normal saline water until the breast acquires its normal volume. The tissue expander filling can take 4 to 6 months time.
The surgery may last from one to two hours and the patient may return to its daily activities after 2 or 3 weeks.
Stage2: Implant placement
The second operation is performed after 4 to 6 months when all soft tissues have settled and all swelling has subsided.
The expander is then removed and the desired implant is inserted.
Cases of asymmetry or default in any area can they be easily corrected. Finally, the nipple and areola are reconstructed.
We could say that it is not an easy going procedure and definately takes a lot of time until it comes to its final result.
However, at the end both plastic surgeon and patient are satisfied. The patient regains her self-esteem and sexuality. She has no difficulty in wearing tight clothes as her breasts have a normal symetrical size and noone can understand any surgical intervention. So, post-operatively patient's life comes to normal and this surgery apart from being safe for long lasting results can also reassure the accurancy of any diagnostic test in this area in the future.
