What happens to the capsule when left behind after an explant?

Question

I had breast implants nine years, they were textured saline and under the muscle. I never had any issues with them, last month I decided to remove them. I didn't get a capsulectomy but now I'm reading patients stories and women are saying I can get sick from the silicone that is in the capsule, but I was under the impression that the capsule would soften and disappear or atleast detox itself like all other tissue in my body. So what does happen?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Leaving a capsule behind is preferred if it is thin and pliable. If there are calcific components, or silicone granulomatous material, or if the capsule is deforming the breast tissue, then removal of the capsule may be warranted.  In general, saline (a relatively innocuous substance) leaking is not going to cause issues as your body will likely absorb this. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated the safety of silicone implants; yet, many patients continue to have anxiety about their use.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

dear socalanonymommy,
in my opinion you shouldn't be worried. There is small chance that the capsule or silicone which remained in capsule will ever cause you any health issues. Your body will break down the capsule and the quantities of silicone in it is very low.
Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Lynn D. Derby, MD (retired) · Answer

Whether you need a capsulectomy depends upon whether there is something wrong with the capsule (such as capsular contracture), and whether there is something wrong with the implant (such as rupture).  If you did not have any of these problems, then capsule removal is probably not needed as the body will break down and remodel the scar tissue on its own.  The amount of silicone left behind from unruptured implants of the types FDA-approved in the United States during the last 10 years is miniscule.  Any foreign substance can make you sick if it gets infected, but silicone gel is a bio-inert substance that is very unlikely to make you sick on its own.  It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about from this, but it would be a good idea to speak with your plastic surgeon if you have concerns.

What happens to the capsule when left behind after an explant?

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What happens to the capsule when left behind after an explant?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.