Extreme pain from capsular contracture. My surgeon says if I have an explant he will leave the capsules in place.Any suggestion?

Thank you for your question. If there is a significant amount of scarred and contracted capsule, then I usually recommend to patients that we take it out at the time of explant. Your surgeon may other reasons for wanting to leave it in and you would need to discuss those with him. If you think the capsule needs to be removed, then discuss that with him and go over the risks and benefits of leaving it in or removing it. If you still cannot come to an agreement about what you want, then you might need a second opinion.Best of luck!

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. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Patients who develop a capsular contracture after breast augmentation are best treated by undergoing a capsulectomy. A capsulectomy removes the thickened capsule that has developed around the implant. You may want to consider getting a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon (ASPS).