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| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
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Delayed Reconstruction Questions about Delayed Breast Reconstruction. |
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| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
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| 8/23/2011 | I had reconstruction. A muscle and skin were taken out of my back to make me a new breast. I only had my left breast removed. I wanted to go a size larger in cup size since I will end up with implants in both breasts. The doctor said he could not do that. I want to know why that can't be done, after all skin stretches a long way out. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 8/24/2011 | Thank you for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center with your questions. There are many reasons why he may not be able to do this, you should check with him to find out his specific reasons. Sometimes, the blood vessels supplying the muscle and skin from the back cannot stretch enough to accommodate a larger implant which would then compromise the blood supply to the muscle and skin from the back, causing it to die. Sometimes the skin cannot stretch a long way because the blood supply to the skin will be compromised as well, causing the skin to die. Stretching the skin can also be difficult if you have had radiation which causes the skin to be firm and stiff. The plastic surgeon could consider placing a tissue expander under the muscle and skin. This tissue expander is a temporary implant which is inflatable. The tissue expander could then be filled with normal saline slowly in office visits so that the stretching of the skin and muscle can take place over time to allow the blood supply to adjust. I am not sure of your specific case details so it is best to ask the plastic surgeon for their specific reasons. I hope this helps, and best wishes. | ||
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