Breast Implant Reconstruction

At Snyder Plastic Surgery in Austin, immediate reconstruction begins during the same surgery as your mastectomy, while delayed reconstruction occurs months or even years after mastectomy. With immediate reconstruction, Dr. Snyder places either a tissue expander or, in select cases, the final implant directly following breast tissue removal. This approach reduces the total number of surgeries needed and can provide psychological benefits by avoiding a period without a breast mound. Delayed reconstruction involves a separate surgery after you've healed from the mastectomy and completed any necessary treatments like radiation or chemotherapy. Each approach has specific advantages based on your medical needs, treatment plan, and personal preferences.

The tissue expander process at Snyder Plastic Surgery is typically the first step in implant-based reconstruction. Following mastectomy, Dr. Snyder places an inflatable, temporary implant (tissue expander) in the breast skin. During a few regular office visits, the expander is gradually filled with saline solution through a small port, stretching the skin to create space for the permanent implant. This gradual expansion is well-tolerated by most patients with minimal discomfort. Once the desired size is reached and tissues have adequately stretched, a second surgery replaces the expander with a permanent implant. This technique allows Austin patients to achieve natural-looking results even when skin is limited after mastectomy.

At our Austin center, Dr. Snyder offers several types of breast implants for reconstruction, including saline-filled and various silicone gel implants. Saline implants have a silicone rubber shell filled with a sterile saltwater solution. Silicone implants, including the newer highly-cohesive "gummy bear" implants, offer a more natural feel and are less likely to show rippling. Implants come in various shapes (round or anatomical/teardrop), profiles (projection from the chest), and textures (smooth or textured). During your consultation, Dr. Snyder will help you choose the implant type that best matches your body structure, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle to achieve the most natural-looking reconstruction results.

Recovery after implant-based reconstruction at Snyder Plastic Surgery typically involves less downtime than flap procedures. For direct-to-implant reconstruction, most Austin patients can return home on the day of their surgery and resume light activities within 1-2 weeks. For tissue expander placement, the initial recovery is similar, with additional office visits over for expansion. The second surgery to exchange the expander for the permanent implant is usually an outpatient procedure with a recovery period of about 1-2 weeks. Patients experience some discomfort, tightness, and restricted arm movement initially, but these improve significantly within the first few weeks. Complete healing and final results develop over several months as tissues adjust to the implants.

Implant reconstruction at Snyder Plastic Surgery requires certain long-term considerations. Unlike flap reconstruction using your own tissue, implants are not permanent devices and may eventually need replacement. Most modern implants should last a long time, but should not be considered lifetime devices. Regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Snyder are important to monitor your implants, and periodic imaging may be recommended. Some Austin patients experience capsular contracture (hardening of the tissue around the implant) or other complications that might require additional procedures. Despite these considerations, implant reconstruction offers excellent results with less extensive surgery and shorter recovery than flap procedures, making it an appropriate choice for many women seeking breast reconstruction in Austin.