Delayed Reconstruction
After mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery, as well as after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies that are given. This is called delayed reconstruction. Treatments such as radiation therapy and sometimes chemotherapy given after surgery can cause the reconstructed breast to lose volume and change color, texture, and appearance. Radiation therapy, in particular, is known to cause undesirable changes to an implant reconstruction. Some surgeons advise patients to wait until after radiation and chemotherapy are finished before having breast reconstruction. This means reconstruction might be done 6 to 12 months after mastectomy or lumpectomy.
When breasts are reconstructed in a delayed setting, then tissue expanders are usually placed followed by implants or free flap reconstruction.
- DELAYED IMPLANT Based:
- Tissue expander placement PRIOR to implants
- Filled to an appropriate size in clinic status post mastectomy weeks 2-6
- Exchange expanders for permanent implants 2-3 months post-expander placement
- DELAYED FREE FLAP (AUTOLOGOUS) Reconstruction:
- Tissue expander placement PRIOR to Free Flap
- Filled to an appropriate size in clinic status post mastectomy weeks 2-6
- Second Stage Surgery After Free Flap Reconstruction: 2-3 months post-reconstruction:
