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Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.Best, Dr. KaramanoukianRealself100 Surgeon
Thank you for yourquestion.It sounds like you have capsular contractures which would require total capsulectomy with removal of the scar tissue and implant materialTo be sure, seetwo or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a full andcomplete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safefor you to have surgery.I hope this helps.
Hi Barb,I am sooo sorry you are having problems.It sounds like not only do you have capsules, but they may be calcified. So yes, you can remove the implants, remove the scar capsule and calcium, and hopefully become pain free. Or you may want new implants which would be softer. Be sure to see only a board certifiedplastic surgeon (by ABPS - The American Board of Plastic Surgery) who is amember of ASAPS (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and or amember of ASPS (The American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Also, ask if they havean established, high volume breast augmentation practice, performing severalhundred breast augmentations each year. Ask to see their before and afterphotos if you didn’t see any on their website. If they are experienced,they should have several 100 breast implant patients for you to view. Iwould also recommend that your doctor offer you the chance to talk to pastpatients who would be happy to discuss their experience with you. Youneed to feel comfortable, so make sure the environment is safe as in anaccredited surgery center. Also, ask a prospective surgeon if he or she hasever published journal articles in professional peer-reviewed journals, whichthey can provide you.All the best, “Dr. Joe”
Absolutely! You can and should have your implants and the surrounding scar tissue or capsule removed. If you have old gel implants, they are probably leaking. This can be done as an outpatient procedure. If you have Medicare, it might cover the removal of the implants and capsules. I would suggest seeing a plastic surgeon and discuss your options.
Yes you can have your implants and the surrounding capsule removed.When an implant is placed during the course of a breast augmentation the body and actually forms a lining around the implant creating a barrier between the foreign object and the rest of the body. Normally this barrier is thin and soft and does not create any change in the appearance of the breast. This lining is called the capsule. If this capsule thickens, becomes harder and shrinks in size the breast will feel firmer and possibly change shape. This shrinkage of the capsule is called a capsular contracture. 92% of capsular contractures will occur within the first 12 months following surgery. Although the exact cause for a capsular contracture is not well understood there are a few things that seem to be related to this phenomena. Implants placed under the muscle have a lower incidence of capsular contracture than implants placed above the muscle. A hematoma is a collection of blood in a confined space. If bleeding occurs in the pocket after a breast augmentation, and is not removed the accumulated blood will gradually be broken down. As the blood is broken down inflammation occurs in the pocket which can then lead to the formation of a capsular contracture. Any type of infection in the pocket can cause inflammation leading to a capsular contracture. The infection can be very minor and not causing any other symptoms. In it's most severe form the capsule can actually become calcified and resemble a rock. Treatment of this will likely require removal of the implant and the surrounding capsule with or without replacement of the implant. It will be important for you to consult a surgeon board certified by the American Board of plastic surgery who has significant experience in the management of capsular contracture.
