This is usually done bi-weekly in the doctor's office. Two to three months are generally needed before the breast reaches the size needed to match the opposite breast. The expander implant may be used as a permanent prosthesis or may be exchanged in a simple operation for a permanent implant.
Advantages
• The technique is simple and can be done on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia.
• This approach is particularly applicable to immediate reconstruction since minimal additional time or dissection is required for the placement of the expander.
• Patients may also be less psychologically stressed since they have an immediate visible result of the reconstruction procedure rather than the absence of the breast.
Disadvantages
• This multi-staged procedure requires many office visits and two to three months to complete.
