The University of Michigan is a nationally recognized leader in reconstructive surgery. Our team of plastic surgeons and medical specialists guide patients through every step of the tissue expansion process to ensure the best results possible. This reconstructive procedure is an option for almost any area of the body, allowing plastic surgeons to repair skin damaged by both congenital and acquired defects.
Tissue Expansion is most often used for breast reconstruction , a procedured following breast removal, and for repairing damaged or scarring of the skin due to birth defects or trauma.
Often, tissue expansion is done before reconstructive burn surgery , using the new skin to replace scar tissue at the burn injury site. Tissue expansion is accomplished by placing a balloon like expander underneath the skin near the damaged region. Over time, the expander is filled with saline or saltwater solution causing the skin around it to stretch and grow. Once the new skin has reached its ideal size the tissue expander is removed and the new skin is redistributed, replacing the damaged area of skin.
Tissue expansion to regions of the face, neck, arms, hands, and legs normally lead to excellent results. When you finish checking your incisions and drain site, place a clean gauze pad over your incision and put on your bra. You can shave under your arms about 2 weeks after your surgery. Only use an electric razor to shave under your arms on the affected side. This is to prevent getting a cut, which you may not feel due to numbness.
A cut could lead to an infection. This will prevent the deodorant from getting on your incision and causing an infection.
Your first follow-up appointment after your surgery will be 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery. Make sure to shower before this appointment. This is usually 24 to 48 hours after you drain s is removed. If you went home with a JP drain s , your healthcare provider will remove it if the amount of drainage is less than 30 mL 1 fluid ounce a day for 2 days in a row, per drain.
Most people describe the drain removal as a slight pulling or stinging feeling that lasts only a few minutes. After your drain s is removed, some fluid may continue to leak from the drain site s.
Cover the area with a sterile gauze pad or the Primapore TM dressing that your nurse gave you. Change your gauze and dressing if they become damp. By that time, the drain sites are usually healed.
After the drain s is removed, continue to wear the surgical bra or you can wear your own supportive bra. It should:. Your doctor may also have you place thick gauze pads over your drain sites for extra compression. This is to prevent fluid from building up under your skin.
The tissue expansion procedure only takes a few minutes. You may feel some tightness and fullness in your breast and some discomfort in your shoulder or back after each expansion. This usually gets better within a few days. After your expansion your chest may be sore, like after you have exercised. Here are some things you can do to increase your comfort between tissue expansions:.
You can continue your normal activities after each tissue expansion appointment. Follow these guidelines while you heal to stay safe and comfortable. Your tissue expander may be over-expanded. In breast reconstruction, a permanent implant is then inserted. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Community Home ask a surgeon patient community.
Ask a Surgeon. Patient Community. Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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What are tissue expanders? Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M. About Purpose Preparation Procedure Recovery Staying comfortable Removal Benefits and risks Contacting a doctor Summary A tissue expander is an empty implant that a surgeon places under the skin in a procedure called tissue expansion. What are they? What are they used for? Preparing for the procedure. Staying comfortable between fills. Removing and replacing a tissue expander. Benefits and risks. When to contact a doctor.
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