There are several ways to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy. In patients who do not require radiation there are several options available for breast reconstruction. One of the more common methods of breast reconstruction is to place a tissue expander at the time of the mastectomy and have the skin heal appropriately. Once the skin has healed without any additional stress on the skin, volume can be added to the expander. Depending upon the size the patient wants to be after reconstruction, varying amounts of saline are added to the expander. In some instances, we do not add any volume to the expander, and we can return to the operating room at a later date and place the implant the pocket that was created by the expander. This is an option in those patients who have not required radiation therapy post mastectomy.
About Brian Dickinson
Dr. Dickinson is a Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon operating out of Newport Beach, California. He believes that the reconstructive and aesthetic surgical principles appropriately complement each other and share's his techniques and advice freely.
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