Timeline & Procedure

The One-Stage Timeline

The One-Stage Procedure

We begin One-Stage breast reconstruction immediately following your mastectomy, while you are still asleep. Working through the mastectomy incision (either inframammary or around the areola, depending on what you, your oncologist and breast surgeon decide is best for you), Dr. Salzberg creates a pocket under the pectoral muscle and inserts a saline or silicone implant of the size you desire.

At this point, with the implant in place, the muscle sufficiently covers only the upper portion of the implant. Using absorbable sutures, Dr. Salzberg attaches a piece of AlloDerm® along the lower portion of the muscle to further shape the pocket, define the inframammary fold and to provide complete coverage of the implant. AlloDerm® remains in the new breast until it is replaced with your body’s own cells. This process happens over the first six weeks. Two surgical drains are inserted to suction off excess fluids and discourage infection, and brought out through small incisions in the skin. Dr. Salzberg then checks to be sure the breasts are symmetrical before closing the incision.