My implants were placed under my chest muscle and the expanders were needed to stretch the muscles. I had plenty of skin, but muscles were too tight to place an implant under.

I had immediate silicone implants too. I was a candidate because my ps felt I had enough skin to work with and was not expected to have radiation. I was a d cup, and now between a c/d. My treatment plan has changed though, now I have to have radiation so I am hoping it doesn't effect my implant too much. We didn't expect to find the cancer in my lymph nodes or my bc or ps wouldn't have suggested immediate implants, we would of had to wait.

Lisa...I was so lucky! My recovery was a breeze. I went back to work 4 weeks post op. I have perfect symmetry and don't even have numbness. Sorry yours was tough.

I also had immediate reconstruction and have the same question. I'm glad I got it over all at once but the recovery was not easy.

In regards to the breasts reconstruction I had my plastic surgeon used tissue expanders first to stretch the pockets in my chest muscle. Once the muscle was stretched then he exchanged tissue expanders with breast implants.