Immediate Reconstruction With Breast Implant (Two Step)
Two step immediate reconstruction of the breast is a reconstruction process that begins during the same surgery as the mastectomy procedure, but is finished at a later date. This procedure is appropriate when the remaining breast skin is tight and is not able to accommodate an implant at the time of the surgery.
Typically, an inflatable balloon implant is placed under the skin and inflated with saline over weeks or months to stretch the skin and underlying tissue. When the skin has stretched enough to accommodate an implant, a second surgery is performed to replace the balloon with a permanent implant. In some cases the expander can be left in place instead of a standard saline or silicone breast implant.
This procedure may also use a flap, or a graft of tissue from elsewhere in the body, to supplement the remaining breast tissue or instead of an implant. The decision to use a flap should be made in consultation with a plastic surgeon as it is not appropriate for all patients.
