I had a Brachioplasty and Breast Lift with implants this past Septemeber. My right breast now has a painful Grade IV contracture resulting from a hematoma. To make matters worse, the particular model of Mentor cohesive gel implants that I have are not yet approved in the US.
My local surgeon wants to perform a capsulectomy and just replace with the SAME implant. I mentioned to him that everything I read indicated standard practice was to replace with a new implant. He said that I would be fine since I hadn't had the implant in very long. I am very indebted to him because he was willing to consult with me when other surgeons blasted me for going overseas. They could care less that I had lost 169 lbs and had debilitating excess skin. My Costa Rica surgeon told me to come back so he can perform the capsulectomy and replace it with a new implant, however, I'd like to avoid travelling back to Costa Rica if at all possible.
What should I do at this point? Any advice would be helpful! I am almost positive this hematoma occurred as a result of strain and is not ruptured. Yet and still, should I be leery of my US surgeon wanting to replace with the SAME implant?
Answer: No right answer I would personally not agree to perform surgery on a patient unless I had backup implants available. That is not to say it is wrong, just my opinion. What if during surgery an infection was discovered? Or a damaged implant? Or something bizarre, like an inferior quality implant? All these things are possible, and have happened. Now the patient is asleep and the surgeon is faced with an insoluble problem. If you are enamored with the implant shape, and cannot find an implant shape in this country that is satisfactory, it would be best to seek a surgeon who is on the study and is capable of replacing the implant if necessary. It would also be advisable to obtain the operative note of the foreign doctor, if at all possible, to maximize the chance that the right implant is "on deck"... just in case.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: No right answer I would personally not agree to perform surgery on a patient unless I had backup implants available. That is not to say it is wrong, just my opinion. What if during surgery an infection was discovered? Or a damaged implant? Or something bizarre, like an inferior quality implant? All these things are possible, and have happened. Now the patient is asleep and the surgeon is faced with an insoluble problem. If you are enamored with the implant shape, and cannot find an implant shape in this country that is satisfactory, it would be best to seek a surgeon who is on the study and is capable of replacing the implant if necessary. It would also be advisable to obtain the operative note of the foreign doctor, if at all possible, to maximize the chance that the right implant is "on deck"... just in case.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Putting Back the Same Implant After Capsulectomy? Hello! Thank you for your question! It is a matter of surgeon preference as well as what is seen during your procedure that will determine whether or not a complete capsulectomy is performed. If significant capsule formation is seen intraoperatively, a full capsule removal may be warranted with a drain in order to completely remove all of the tissue and allow better adherence of your breast back to its normal anatomic position down on your chest wall. If minimal contracture is seen, it may be possible to leave the capsule, or place cuts within the capsule to allow better adherence. It truly is dependent on what is seen with your capsule and the issues that may be causing you to have such a procedure (e.g., contracture from ruptured implant vs pain vs simple pocket adjustment, etc). Implants mayor may not be replaced depending on your discussion and reason for capsulectomy. I typiclly replace the implant to new one.Without knowing your issues and without an examination, it is difficult to tell you what may be the best thing for you. I tend to favor performing capsulectomies (in an en bloc fashion) in order to create a fresh pocket, reshape the pocket, allow better shape and adherence of the overlying breast. I would discuss your issues with your plastic surgeon who will assist you in determining the right modality for you. Most patients tolerate this procedure very well with minimal downtime. It is typically an outpatient procedure with most being able to resume activities within a few days along with restrictions for a week or so. Many surgeons will recommend a postoperative garment for several weeks postop as well. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Putting Back the Same Implant After Capsulectomy? Hello! Thank you for your question! It is a matter of surgeon preference as well as what is seen during your procedure that will determine whether or not a complete capsulectomy is performed. If significant capsule formation is seen intraoperatively, a full capsule removal may be warranted with a drain in order to completely remove all of the tissue and allow better adherence of your breast back to its normal anatomic position down on your chest wall. If minimal contracture is seen, it may be possible to leave the capsule, or place cuts within the capsule to allow better adherence. It truly is dependent on what is seen with your capsule and the issues that may be causing you to have such a procedure (e.g., contracture from ruptured implant vs pain vs simple pocket adjustment, etc). Implants mayor may not be replaced depending on your discussion and reason for capsulectomy. I typiclly replace the implant to new one.Without knowing your issues and without an examination, it is difficult to tell you what may be the best thing for you. I tend to favor performing capsulectomies (in an en bloc fashion) in order to create a fresh pocket, reshape the pocket, allow better shape and adherence of the overlying breast. I would discuss your issues with your plastic surgeon who will assist you in determining the right modality for you. Most patients tolerate this procedure very well with minimal downtime. It is typically an outpatient procedure with most being able to resume activities within a few days along with restrictions for a week or so. Many surgeons will recommend a postoperative garment for several weeks postop as well. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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October 7, 2014
Answer: Replacing the implant is safer It is highly advised that the same implant not be used. You may want to insist on getting a replacement, although you'll probably have to cover the cost for it. If you disagree with your surgeon, please express your concerns with them. You may also want to seek the advice of another experienced board certified surgeon. Best of luck.
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CONTACT NOW October 7, 2014
Answer: Replacing the implant is safer It is highly advised that the same implant not be used. You may want to insist on getting a replacement, although you'll probably have to cover the cost for it. If you disagree with your surgeon, please express your concerns with them. You may also want to seek the advice of another experienced board certified surgeon. Best of luck.
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August 10, 2010
Answer: Capsular Contracture
WIth grade IV capsular contracture, many insurnace companies will actually pay towarsd your treatment. I would personally perform a capsulectomy with use of new implants. I would not use old implants again since they may harbor a biofilm of bacteria around them that can result in capsular contracture again.
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CONTACT NOW August 10, 2010
Answer: Capsular Contracture
WIth grade IV capsular contracture, many insurnace companies will actually pay towarsd your treatment. I would personally perform a capsulectomy with use of new implants. I would not use old implants again since they may harbor a biofilm of bacteria around them that can result in capsular contracture again.
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January 26, 2009
Answer: So many options for capsular contracture The real problem is we really cannot definitively identify the cause nor can we provide a consistent recommendation regarding the management of capsular contracture. In my mind you have a few options and of course some of this is based on my personal practice experience over 15 years now: My most consistent and reliable method of treating capsular contracture is capsulectomy and implant replacement with a NEW implant. Capsulotomy/partial removal and replacement with the EXISTING implant can be successful but not on a consistent basis. Regardless of any technique capsular contracture may recur. Cohesive gels are not available for widespread use at this time as you know. I know you are attempting to save money but you may want to consider replacing both implants with similar ones to assure a more symmetric outcome. You may find that returning to Costa Rica is the most economical solution but there are no guarantees this will solve the problem. In terms of mix/match it really depends how much tissue you have and how big the implants are which is difficult to guess over the internet. Let me give you an oversimplified example which provides some insight: IF you take a football and a volleyball the difference in shape will be very obvious if you cover them with a silk sheet. Howevery you may barely notice the difference if you cover them with a thick comforter. What do you have: silk sheets or comforters? I hope this helps!
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CONTACT NOW January 26, 2009
Answer: So many options for capsular contracture The real problem is we really cannot definitively identify the cause nor can we provide a consistent recommendation regarding the management of capsular contracture. In my mind you have a few options and of course some of this is based on my personal practice experience over 15 years now: My most consistent and reliable method of treating capsular contracture is capsulectomy and implant replacement with a NEW implant. Capsulotomy/partial removal and replacement with the EXISTING implant can be successful but not on a consistent basis. Regardless of any technique capsular contracture may recur. Cohesive gels are not available for widespread use at this time as you know. I know you are attempting to save money but you may want to consider replacing both implants with similar ones to assure a more symmetric outcome. You may find that returning to Costa Rica is the most economical solution but there are no guarantees this will solve the problem. In terms of mix/match it really depends how much tissue you have and how big the implants are which is difficult to guess over the internet. Let me give you an oversimplified example which provides some insight: IF you take a football and a volleyball the difference in shape will be very obvious if you cover them with a silk sheet. Howevery you may barely notice the difference if you cover them with a thick comforter. What do you have: silk sheets or comforters? I hope this helps!
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January 15, 2009
Answer: Replacing breast implants I agree with Dr. Moelleken that any surgery around an intact implant where the end result includes having an intact implant in place should have implants available. In my practice we believe that a major cause of capsular contracture (hard or firm breast implants) comes from subclinical bacterial contamination. To reduce the possibility of this happening again, we would recommend the implants being replaced (the biofilm on the old implants may be impossible to sterilize). That is not to say that re-using the old implant is improper, but in our experience, it may increase the possibility of recurrent capsular contracture. To answer your new questions - mixing the implants (as long as they are both silicone for consistent feel) should be ok. Be sure to remember that the sides may feel different even if the same implant is used because of the additional surgery on the breast with the capsular contracture. Depending on the extent of the capsulectomy - your old implant may not be enough to give you symmetry. Be sure to discuss all these issues with your surgeon before your surgery. I hope this helps!
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CONTACT NOW January 15, 2009
Answer: Replacing breast implants I agree with Dr. Moelleken that any surgery around an intact implant where the end result includes having an intact implant in place should have implants available. In my practice we believe that a major cause of capsular contracture (hard or firm breast implants) comes from subclinical bacterial contamination. To reduce the possibility of this happening again, we would recommend the implants being replaced (the biofilm on the old implants may be impossible to sterilize). That is not to say that re-using the old implant is improper, but in our experience, it may increase the possibility of recurrent capsular contracture. To answer your new questions - mixing the implants (as long as they are both silicone for consistent feel) should be ok. Be sure to remember that the sides may feel different even if the same implant is used because of the additional surgery on the breast with the capsular contracture. Depending on the extent of the capsulectomy - your old implant may not be enough to give you symmetry. Be sure to discuss all these issues with your surgeon before your surgery. I hope this helps!
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