Three Types of Reconstruction

Here are the three types of reconstruction as I understand them and related to my situation.

Tissue Expander- the original incision from my mastectomy will be reopened, a tissue expander will be placed under the pectoral muscle. The tissue expander is a very sturdy, empty implant with a rubber access like the Port a Cathe. A month after it is placed under the muscle, expansion begins 50cc a week until the desired breast volume is obtained. Then it must be in place for four months before a second surgery is done replacing the expander with a saline filled implant. Then a month later a nipple is constructed on the breast. Tattoos are the last step- it takes about three trips to complete. All three surgeries are done as out patient surgeries and each last less than two hours.

Lattisimus Dorsi Flap- this surgery uses the muscle, fat, and tissue from the back. It is tunneled under the skin to where the breast will be reconstructed. The skin, muscle and fat would stay intact to the original blood vessels. Mine would require a tissue expander so start that process all over- fill it, replace it, nipple, tattoos. The first surgery requires at least one nights stay in the hospital. The surgery itself would take under three hours.

TRAM Flap- Transverse rectus adbominus musculoctous flap- uses muscle, fat and tissue from the woman's abdomen. The flap may be either remain tethered to the original blood supply and be tunneled up through the chest wall, or it is completely detached and formed into a breast mound using microsurgical techniques. This would require five nights in ICU and be a long surgery.