Recovery Time - Implant Removal and Capsulectomy?

Good day! The recovery with explantation is almost the same with what you experienced. Patients will feel sore and tired during the first 48 to 72 hours after the surgery. Patient is allowed to do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or discomfort but activity is still largely dependent upon how you feel. However, you are refrained from lifting or raising the arms above the head as strenuous activity will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. 
During the first week after surgery, swelling and bruising will subside and will be controlled by pain medication. With regards to shower, it is permitted on the 3rd day after surgery if there are no drains. In addition to that, I usually suggest to begin walking around the house periodically throughout the day once the anesthesia has worn off. This will help minimize swelling and bruising and help with the healing process. Doctors have different protocols with regards to recovery so it is best to ask your surgeon about this in detail. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Occasionally, women are
dissatisfied with their breast implants and elect to have them removed.In the absence of severe capsule formation,
this is often a relatively simple procedure.The procedure usually involves reopening the incision, extracting the
implant, and closing the wound.This
could easily be accomplished with local anesthesia without significant
discomfort.The procedure is associated with minimal pain and short
recoveries.Since the muscle is
undisturbed, there’s minimal amounts of pain following the procedure.Patient’s usually don’t require narcotics for
longer than 24 hours and are able to return to work the following day as long
as no heavy lifting is involved.If you’re considering this option, consultation with a
board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate.This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that’s
specific for your situation.

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 may or may not be replaced depending on your discussion and reason for capsulectomy. 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!

yes you can theoretically expect a similar time frame for this recovery but you need to discuss that with your surgeon. he is in the best position to give you a good estimate about your recovery.

Most  patients who undergo breast implant removal surgery experience minimal discomfort compared to the initial operation. Barring complications, you should be able to participate in  non-strenuous Christmas activities.

 Best wishes with your upcoming procedure and Merry Christmas!

Hello,

Thank you for the question.  Most of the pain associated with a submuscular augmentation is from the muscle as you can imagine.  Implant removal and capsulectomy will not or at least should not involve the cutting of the muscle and therefore your discomfort should be much less.  Your activity restriction will be similar since too much activity can predispose you to hematoma formation or seroma formation .

All the best,

Dr Remus Repta 

Usually what hurts most in breast surgery is creating the submuscular pocket. Removing the implants should be considerably less uncomfortable. A capsulectomy would add some to the minimal discomfort of simple removal of the implants. Often this is not necessary.

Best wishes.

I would agree with Dr. DeMars response and emphasize that there is no functional reason to perform a capsulectomy when removing most implants unless there is an abnormality in the capsule. Smooth surface saline breast implants can be removed through an old or new inframammary crease incision under local anesthesia with or without sedation and there is essentially no recovery except for the incision healing. Capsulectomy adds cost, risk, anesthesia requirements and still results in a scar tissue layer left where the implant was. The recovery would not be as involved as putting the implants in but would be much more involved than a simple removal. 

Unless there is some pathology of your capsule, it would be unusual to do a capsectomy with saline implants. There is no problem caused by leaving the capsules in your body, it is simply scar tissue. Rarely a patient may have a small collection of fluid that has to be drained through a needle, but that risk is even higher with the capsulectomy. Your recovery should be a day or two if you only remove the implants.