Partial capsule left in after explant, will I continue to have health issues if the rest remains in?

Question

I just had explant surgery and told my surgeon I wanted all capsule removed for health reasons. After surgery he told me he was only able to get about 1/4 of them out because they were very thin. I had smooth saline under the muscle for 13 years. I have read it is extremely important to remove all of it or you can have continued helth issues, remaining capsule can calcify over time and cause more issues. They can harbor bacteria, microorganisms, and toxins from the implants. Thoughts?

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Whether to remove the entire capsule or not depends are various factors, the most important one would be the reason why the implants are being removed.If the capsule is soft and thin and the sole purpose of removing the implants is because the patient is just done with implants and wants to go without them and the capsule is very thin, then there is more harm trying to remove the capsule than to leaving it alone.Hope that helps.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At times not all of the capsule can be removed.  If the capsule if very thin as yours was described to be, it may be too risky to attempt further removal.  There is still much we are learning about BII.  There is no way to guarantee that removing all, part, or none of the capsule will impact your health concerns. I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If the remaining part of the capsules were very thin, it is very unlikely that much bacteria is present. Sometimes more damage is done by trying to remove very thin capsules than by leaving them. With the implants gone, there should be no reason for your body to calcify the remaining capsule since the foreign material is gone. Just removing saline implants and capsules do not guarantee that you will not have health issues.

Ali Heidari, DO, FACS, FACOS · Answer

Hi
Great question. In general capsulectomy is performed if the capsule appeared to be thick, calcified. In case of a saline implant removal with thin capsule, remaining capsule if not calcified should not really pose a risk in the future. usually the new capsule is formed and includes the old capsule. 
Good luck

Richard Zinn, MBChB, MMED, FRACS · Answer

Hi there,
Great question.  I think the majority of qualified plastic surgeons would agree you do not need to take the entire capsule out.  There are certain times when this is valuable - but in a non-complicated explant, it is not vital.

No, the capsule will not necessarily become calcified, harbor bacteria or cause problems. On the contrary, removal of a capsule can in itself cause pain, scarring, thinning of breast tissues and bleeding.  I often leave a tenacious capsule stuck on rib and pec muscle for safety reasons.

Keep checking your breasts moving forward and perform a baseline ultrasound and mammogram at 6 months post surgery to get an impression of what your breasts look like from this point onwards.

Partial capsule left in after explant, will I continue to have health issues if the rest remains in?

Answers (5)

Answer: Partial capsule left in

Answer: Partial capsule left in

Answer: No need to take all of the capsule out

Answer: No need to take all of the capsule out

Recommended reading

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.

Partial capsule left in after explant, will I continue to have health issues if the rest remains in?

Answers (5)

Answer: Partial capsule left in

Answer: Partial capsule left in

Answer: No need to take all of the capsule out

Answer: No need to take all of the capsule out

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Recommended reading

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.