Breast Reconstruction Ocean County, Toms River, & Stafford Township

Expander Breast Implant Reconstruction

Expander-breast implant reconstruction is a process where a temporary implant (expander) is initially placed. This surgery usually takes about an hour and is often a same day surgery. If this procedure is done with the mastectomy most patients stay in the hospital overnight. Once the expander is placed your new breast is created by placing sterile saline solution into the expander. This is essentially a painless procedure done in the office which takes about 15 minutes. After your breast shape is created with the expander, usually 3-5 months, you are ready for the second procedure which is to place a permanent implant. This procedure is done in the hospital as a same day surgery and usually takes about an hour. At this point your breast reconstruction is almost complete. The last part of breast reconstuction is recreating a nipple and the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple). There is many ways to make a new nipple and areola and Dr. Small will discuss these with you.

Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Autologous breast reconstruction is often the option necessary for patients who are anticipating needing radiation treatment with their care or for women who have very large and droopy breasts (called breast ptosis). The areas commonly used for this type of reconstruction are the abdomen (TRAM reconstruction) or the back (Latissimus reconstruction).

This type of reconstruction is performed in the hospital and takes about 4-6 hours. Most patients stay in the hospital 2-3 days. Sometimes even with this type of reconstruction a tissue expander or implant might be necessary.