Explant of 15 yr old saline breast implants - no replacement, no lift. Is a capsulorrhaphy necessary?

Question

Hello - I am looking to completely remove my 15 yr old saline subpectoral implants, without replacement. The implants have bottomed out and you can see rippling at the bottom of both breasts. I have consulted two surgeons - the first suggested an easy removal of the implants, nothing further, with leaving the capsule intact (the implants are very soft). The second - remove the impants, and performing a capsulectomy and a capsulorrhaphy, leading to a longer procedure and longer recovery.

Jeff T. Healy, MD · Answer

It is possible to just remove the implants without doing a capsulectomy or capsulorraphy if there is no significant capsular contracture.  Your breasts will likely have some degree of ptosis (droopiness) after the implants are removed.  Some of this will resolve on its own as the tissues heal.  6 months after the implant removal you could do a lift if you are bothered by the ptosis or you may find that you are perfectly happy with the appearance and not need any additional surgery. Best of luck!

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

If as you say the implants are soft, then simply removing them without any capsule work would be sufficient.  The capsule work would help reposition a new implant to avoid bottoming out.

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

It is difficult to predict how your breasts are going to heal after explantation.  I normally close the capsule and leave a drain and then wait to see how your body heals and the elastic recoil.  Normally I dont do a capsulorraphy.

Johnny Chung, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. If you're considering removing your implants you have two options. One is to remove the implant and leave the capsule, the second is to remove the implant and the capsule. Both procedures basically lead to the same and result. The first procedure can be performed under straight local, while the latter requires anesthesia. To remove or leave the capsule is a personal decision.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

I offer my patients with similar condition the following. I Would deflate both saline implants in office and wait two weeks. During the two weeks your breast will contract and you have time to see your breast with no implant. The other advantage of the deflation and waiting is that you will see if you need lift or maybe do fat grafting during the implant removal. Please see my site for examples of removal and fat grafting.

Explant of 15 yr old saline breast implants - no replacement, no lift. Is a capsulorrhaphy necessary?

Answers (8)

Answer: Implant removal

Answer: Implant removal

Answer: In ofice implant deflation and removal later

Answer: In ofice implant deflation and removal later

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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Explant of 15 yr old saline breast implants - no replacement, no lift. Is a capsulorrhaphy necessary?

Answers (8)

Answer: Implant removal

Answer: Implant removal

Answer: In ofice implant deflation and removal later

Answer: In ofice implant deflation and removal later

Browse related questions

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.