I Am Going to Have my Saline Implants Removed. Should I Remove the Capsules?

asked 1 year ago by North Liberty in North Liberty, IA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 528 times
Tags: saline implants, capsule

I am going to have my 10 year old saline breast implants removed. Should I also have the capsules removed, I have been having minimal discomfort in the left breast, under the armpit and around the chest area. My doctor told me the capsule and scar tissue will absorb into my body so I could use a local anesthesia and remove only the implants. Is this the wisest?

11 answers to I Am Going to Have my Saline Implants Removed. Should I Remove the Capsules?

Capsulectomy with Breast Implant Removal?

Thank you for the question. If your breasts implant capsules are soft and asymptomatic, they do not necessarily have to be removed. In that case, breast implants can usually be removed under local anesthesia. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Removal of capsule depends on many factors!

After only ten years most capsules might not need to be removed. If the capsules are calcified or very symptomatic then removal should be considered. You need to dicuss this thoroughly with your surgeon.

Arturo Guiloff, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Removing breast implants

It all depends on how the capsule is now. If it's hard and/or painful, you'll most likey need that removed as well. It's hard to tell you about your anesthesia options without actually seeing you.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

To perfomrn Capsulectomy or not with implant explantation (removal)

In cases of uncomplicated saline implant removal, I generally do not perform a capsulectomy unless intra-operaive findings suggest that this may be indicated. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Capsules do not need to be removed

In the majority of cases the capsule around a saline implant does not need to be removed when the implant is removed. It will be absorbed by the body. This makes removal of saline implants a procedure which can be done under local anesthesia. If the implants are very old and the capsule is calcified and hard, then I would recommend removal to prevent this from being felt after the implant is out.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Removing the breast capsule with breast implant removal

It is usually not necessary to remove the breast capsule if there is minimal thickening and few symptoms. It will atrophy with time if left intact.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Saline breast implant removal

I certainly agree with your doctor that your old saline breast implants can be removed alone without need for the removal of the capsule itself. The deep space where the prosthesis were placed will reabsorb and this can certainly be done under local anesthesia. I would certainly not perform any sort of capsule removal under local anesthesia but this should not be necessary in your case.

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD
Albany Plastic Surgeon

Removal of Saline Breast Implants

It is certainly not unreasonable to deflate saline implants and remove them under local anesthesia. If your capsule is soft by exam it is very reasonable to leave the capsule and allow the body to absorb the capsule. Removing a soft capsule should not be done under local anesthesia and only leads to unnecessary potential injury to the breasts. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant removal

In my practice, When expalnting for any reason, the capsule is removed. The capsule does NOT absorb all the time. Some times if they are left in they can accumolate ffuid, (I have see this in my practice). Implant capsules should be sent for pathology to be examined , there had been some problems associated. The capsulectomy can be time consuming and bloody, need to drain after capsulectomy.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Implant removal and capsules

The implants themselves can be removed and depending upon the thickness of the tissues and the capsule will determine if it can be removed or should be removed.