Breast Implant Capsules - will they ever dissolve or reabsorb into the body? (Photo)

Hello. The capsules do not dissolve or reabsorb. Unfortunately, 50% of your capsule will remain in the breast pocket unless it is definitively removed via a Total Capsulectomy.Dr Dev

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hello, great question! The capsule will never dissolve or absorb into the body. I have seen capsules that were left behind even forty years after implant removal. The goal and gist of implant removal surgery is to remove the entire implant and capsule completely, along with all inflamed tissue and to test it for malignancies.
 

The capsules will not dissolve or go away, but they will scar down without further capsule formation in most cases after removal of the foreign body (the implant). There are many instances in which removal of the entire capsule is not necessary or is not considered safe due to its adherence to the posterior chest wall and its proximity to the lungs. While it is easy to say that the capsule and implant should be removed "en bloc," this often times is not possible or desirable.

Dear jennyf1979,
it is hard to tell for sure, in most cases capsule that is left causes no symptoms. I would suggest discussing your concerns with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello @jennyf1979, thank you for your question. It is important to completely remove the capsule, when capsule stays in the body it does not get reabsorbed and your body can show responses to the capsules. In cases where the capsule is not fully removed during explant surgery, it is important to discuss further treatment options with your doctor. This may include additional surgery to remove the remaining capsule. Also it would be necessary to carry out a preventive biopsy on the remaining tissue of the capsule. I link to a video that will shed some more light. To obtain more information and recommendations, it is best to consult one or more board-certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

I have seen capsules, especially the thin ones, absorb once the implants were removed. If you had thick capsules or calcium, they probably will not absorb over time. I'm sure your doctor removed what was safe to remove. The back side of thin capsules can be difficult to remove and not cause injury to the chest wall.

The capsules are essentially scar tissue and will not dissolve over time. If you are continuing to experience BII symptoms I encourage you to speak with your surgeon.

Thank you for posted photos. Did your BII symptoms improve or stay unchanged after explant and sub total capsulectomies? To re operate to remove a left behind capsule tissue can be done but I doubt you would see effective changes. And NO capsules are scar tissue by definition so the body does NOT reabsorbs for posted photos.