Breast Implant Removal Q&A
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What Happens to the Pocket After Breast Implant Removal?
asked 3 years ago by littleagain in Iowa
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 12,515 times
If the capsule is not taken out? Can you feel it? What happens to the pocket when breast implants are removed?
16 answers to What Happens to the Pocket After Breast Implant Removal?
+4
Breast capsule removal
Breast capsule removal does not pose a problem. The reminaing space contracts and the capsule (scar tissue) is absorbed into the body. You should not be able to feel the remaining scar tissue. Healing is quick. If you attempt to remove the scar tissue as is commonly requested by the patient, you can distort the breast tissue and the end result, which should be a soft, normal-looking breast.
+3
Capsulectomy is often needed for complex revisional breast surgery
If you are having a simple implant removal procedure, the capsule should be excised and the 'pocket' obliterated, in order to prevent a long-term fluid collection from forming. This procedure is called a capsulectomy. I generally remove the anterior capsule only (in a sub-muscular argumentation) and then place a drain in the space for a few days. You cannot feel the remnants of the capsule when it is handled in this manner.
+2
What happens to the breast implant pocket after removal
If the silicone implant is intact it is not necessary to remove the pocket.I usually try to rub it with a dry gauze to induce adhesion to collapse the pocket. I have never seen a problem but a small fluid collection could theoretically happen, which is not a problem.
Farhad Rafizadeh, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon
Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+2
Pocket can collapse
If the pocket is not removed, then it can collapse and disappear, or it can fill with fluid and look like you still have an implant. Best suggestion is to remove the implant and capsule and suture the pocket closed while lifting the breast tissue as well.
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
New York Plastic Surgeon
+2
What happens to the breast implant pocket after removal
After removal, if no implant is placed into the same breast pocket, the pocket will collapse and in time, should eventually fuse together. One of the risks of the surgery is for a collection of fluid or a small amount of blood in this pocket. This is uncommon but the risk does exist.
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2
Debatable
Breast implant capsules vary. Plastic surgeon opinions vary as well regarding them. When capsules are left in place they can at times cause breast distortion or persistent fluid collections requiring more surgery. I take them out at least partially during implant removal surgery - particularly implant removals without replacement.
Best Regards.
+2
Breast capsules should be removed with your implants
When breast capsules are left in following removal of Breast implants, there is a chance of developing a collection of fluid (called a seroma). Removing the capsule (at least part of it) will help prevent this from occurring.
+1
The Capsule After Explantation
He body will absorb the capsule after the implants are removed. This process is enhanced significantly if your surgeon removes parts of the capsule. Many surgeons use drains to prevent fluid (serum) from building up inside the empty capsule, which can slow absorption of the capsule.
+1
Capsule after removal of implant
If the capsule is left and it is soft, it usually gets resorbs by the body as the tissues re-adhere down.
+1
What happens to the Breast Implant Capule after Implant Removal?
Unless the breast implant capsule is calcified, as might be seen in very old implants, it generally is absorbed by your body over time without need for a drain in most cases.
A calcified breast implant capsule is usually excised and this pocket is drained as a seroma, or fluid collection can occur.
+1
Removal of the capsule is not necessary part of implant removal.
If the capsule is thin and non-calcified, it can be left without any sequelae to the patient. The collagen of the capsule will gradually metabolize away. Some capsules containing significant amounts of silicone can get calcifed and probably are best removed.
+1
The pocket closes.
Once the implant is removed, the pocket collapses on itself and closes. If there is a thickened, calcified capsule, it is usually removed with the implants dso that the scar tissue is not palpable..
Marisa Lawrence, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1
The implant pockets will most likely be gone with time
Breast implant pockets are reaction to a foreign body (your breast implant). Once the implant is removed, the pocket is usually resorbed and remodeled over time by your body. If there is a large pocket present and it is not closed at the time of surgery or a drain is not placed, there is a chance that a fluid collection will develop. This will either need to be drained or may resorb over time if it is small.
+1
Capsule and removal of breast implants
Once the implants are remove the capsule will scar down and essentially before part of your body. You will not be able to feel the capsule.
You will likely need drain placement after the implants are remove to make sure no fluid builds up in the pocket so that the two layers can stick down to each other and heal.
Good luck.
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1
What happens to the breast pocket after implants are removed?
HI littleagain,
These are great questions.
In general, if you are having the implants removed and you have enough extra tissue left behind (ie, skin, breast and fat - nothing personal, of course) it may be advisable to have the capsule removed. It may heal up well on its own but sometimes a smooth-walled pocket remains and it can continuously fill with fluid. Removing at least part of the pocket (an anterior capsulectomy) will help the remaining tissue scar down and...
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