Tissue expansion and reconstruction
The most common technique for Gainesville breast reconstruction has been through tissue expansion. After a mastectomy, tissue expanders are inserted between the chest wall and chest muscle.
These expanders stretch the chest muscles in order to make room for the insertion of breast implants at a later date. To help achieve this goal, saline is injected into the expanders for inflation. Once a suitable expansion has been reached, the expanders are surgically removed and breast implants are inserted.
For a long time, tissue expansion was the primary method available to women who had to undergo breast reconstruction due to a mastectomy. This method can be painful, as it involves at least two surgeries — one to insert the expanders and one surgery to insert the implants.
While the first surgery can occur at the time of a mastectomy, the entire process can take 4-6 months, and patients must make frequent office visits in order to receive the inflation injections. However, this is no longer the only breast reconstruction option.
Gainesville breast reconstruction
At Nesmith Plastic Surgery Center in Gainesville, we pride ourselves on doing what’s best for our patients. For some patients, we may provide reconstruction during your mastectomy, while other surgeries may be delayed for patients to allow for recovery from mastectomy surgery or cancer treatments.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Nesmith or Dr. Brad Nesmith so that we can help determine which breast reconstruction procedure is right for you.