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Hisham Seify, MD, PhD answers: Over the muscle implant placement after radiation therapy?

I have had a bilateral mastectomy. I have under the muscle silicone implants. I had radiation treatment on the right breast and the implant is uncomfortable when using my arm and my muscle is very tight. Is it best to have my implants placed over the muscle? I had gone through the expander process before the implants.


Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
7 months ago
By Hisham Seify, MD, PhD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Radiation increases the chance of having capsule contracture and a tight deformed breast.

The classic teaching is to switch from an implant to an autologous reconstruction (your own tissues from the back or the tummy).

However, practically this is not always feasible or practical. Another option would be to perfrom a total capsulectomy (removal of all the internal scars), exchange the implant and use alloderm to create a new pocket. A muscle flap from the back could be used as well if needed. Hope that helps!

Web reference: http://www.drseify.com/breastreconstruction6.html
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More answers to “Over the muscle implant placement after radiation therapy?”

A: Breast implant suggestions

John P. Di Saia, MD
22 days ago
By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello,

You might be better served by taking the implants out. The tissues around the implants frequently respond to radiation therapy by becoming very prone to scar formation (encapsulation) and this can be painful. Implant removal (although not pretty) usually relieves this pain. An alternative reconstruction can be planned using your own tissues. These are still a bit more problematic after radiation therapy but are more likely to be successful.

Web reference: http://www.CosmeticSurgeryTruth.com
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