Breast implant reconstruction is a procedure designed to rebuild a breast that has been removed due to cancer. It involves inserting implants into the chest wall and is performed in two stages. During the first stage, a tissue expander is placed underneath the chest muscle. This pouch is much like a balloon and is designed to hold a saline water solution.

A breast implant reconstruction provides:

Thin women with little tissue to cover an implant with tend to be good candidates for breast implant reconstruction.

A tissue expander cannot be placed until after your mastectomy. In some cases, it can be inserted during your mastectomy, in which case you can avoid the need for a separate procedure. As such, we recommend coming in for a consultation if you are already aware of the fact that you will be having a breast removed.

Each time the tissue expander is filled with saline, you may notice some discomfort as your skin stretches. This is typically rather mild, but you may use over-the-counter medication to help you deal with your discomfort.

It takes only a few minutes to fill the tissue expander during each visit. Placement of the implant could take one to two hours.

You will feel more confident and attractive after breast implant reconstruction, and may even feel like wearing that special outfit again.

That will depend upon your anatomy, the nature of your cancer, and other factors that will be discussed with you during your consultation.

You may notice some gradual changes in your chest as tissue begins to expand. These changes are often compared to the way your breasts developed during puberty. After your implant surgery, you will notice a dramatic difference, as our goal is to ensure your new breast matches your other one as closely as possible.

Modern implants are very durable and can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

Your reconstructed breast will be firm and full. This means that if your other breast is sagging, it may not match your new one. A breast lift could be needed to raise the other one to the right height and eliminate sagging.

Because you may have different needs than any other patient, we will not be able to discuss the exact cost with you until after your consultation. Cash, personal checks, and credit cards are always accepted for any of the procedures we offer, and many of our patients will also qualify for low-interest financing.