This process can be combined with the use of tissue expanders.

But often, the doctor will first place a balloon (tissue expander) beneath the chest muscle.

See a picture of a breast implant and tissue expander .

Others use breast implants, possibly preceded by tissue expanders, to provide volume.

The tissue expander is then replaced by a permanent implant.

In this technique, a tissue expander is placed under an area that has hair.

Betsy found the alternative of "tissue expanders" a little gruesome and the process too gradual.

She also nixed the idea of using tissue expanders as too "gruesome."

They also put tissue expanders under the muscles of the chest wall to start stretching the skin for implants.

This essentially involves expansion of the breast skin and muscle using a temporary tissue expander.