Tissue expander extrusion

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balljn
balljn Member Posts: 3
edited December 2019 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a double mastectomy and tissue expanders. I had a second surgery due to a small area of necrosis on my left breast as well as additional work to have clear margins. Necrosis area appeared to be healing well. I had a few fills and was scheduled for surgery on12/13/2019. I woke up the day before Thanksgiving with the wound open and expander exposed. I had emergency surgery before the Thanksgiving holiday. The right expander was removed and replaced with an implant. The left expander was removed. He did not put in an implant due to thin skin. I’m concerned about next steps. Anyone else have a similar situation? I’m scared

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2019

    Yes, I had a similar experience. I would recommend leaving the expander out for a bit to let the previously necrotic area heal well. I would also discuss fat grafting to the flat side with your plastic surgeon, small amounts several times over a few months. The fat grafts help with skin integrity and vascularity and I feel they were instrumental in allowing me to have a later successful expansion and exchange. Wishing you the best, I know how distressing this is.

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  • balljn
    balljn Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2019

    After you healed did they put the tissue expander back in

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited November 2019

    Yes, but before the expander was replaced I had three fat grafts, spaced out with a couple of months between each. I expanded slowly and exchanged for the implant with normal timing.

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited December 2019

    hello I had Lmast with reconstruction and after 1 filling just before Christmas I developed a high fever and tightening in my chess was rushed to ER by my then fiance now husband. Expander removed body rejected it has foreign body so just went on since wearing prothesis .Take care msphil. idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before after Lmast got married we were planning at diagnosis then 7wks rads then 5yrs Tamoxifen

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