Can under the muscle breast implants be removed safely with local anesthesia?

Question

Can they safely remove an implant with local anesthesia, if the implant is under the muscle? Is it safe to do so without removing capsules

Shaher W. Khan, MD · Answer

When removing a breast implant, you must also remove the capsule that forms all around the implant as well as any abnormal or inflamed tissue. Therefore, I do not recommend local anesthesia. Having breast implants removed plus caosule is the gold standard. An En bloc or 100% total capsulectomy is recommened under anesthesia. Please see Breast Implant Illness for more details.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Crafty1227, thank you for your question. Yes, you can have implants removed under local anesthesia. However, it is not recommended because the peaks of local anesthesia are very high and when removing the prosthesis the capsule remains inside which can cause long-term complications if there are health problems related to the implants. For more information and recommendations is advisable to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. If you are considering breast explantation, consultation with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in this procedure is essential to ensure optimal results. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Mark McRae, MD · Answer

Yes removing smooth breast implants can be done for the motivated patient under local anaesthesia.If your implants are textured, it may be a bit more tricky. If you have issues with thickened capsules that need to be removed or rupture of the implants, then you would be better treated in an operating room setting.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear Craffty1227, if you are going to consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon and he/she said is safe surely can be. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Crafty1227,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, it is possible to remove the implant under local anesthesia. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

Can breast implants be removed under local anesthesia? Yes it can, but I would not do it or recommend it. It probably will not be the most comfortable feeling as well as there may be a need to remove the capsules which definitely can not be done under local. In some cases the capsule can be left alone. In a rare instance when on exam the capsule appears to be very soft and not need removal, but at the time of surgery some calcifications are found, then the capsule should be removed.

Hope that helps.

Hope that helps.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, implants can safely be removed under local anesthesia, but the capsular removal will be more difficult.  Some capsule can even be removed, but probably not all with just local anesthesia.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Some surgeons remove implants under local anesthesia while others prefer general anesthesia.  If you have saline implants you may want to consider having them deflated in the office and then the shells can be removed at a later time.  If the capsules need to be removed this is best done under general anesthesia.

Can under the muscle breast implants be removed safely with local anesthesia?

Answers (8)

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