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Will leaving the implant capsule (under muscle) interfere with mammograms?

I am having my saline breast implants removed. They are under the muscle. My plastic surgeon is not removing the capsule; he said that it will eventually dissolve in my body. Will this scar tissue interfere with mammograms? Will the capsule hide any possible tumors?

Doctor Answers 5

The capsule will not interfere

June 27th, 2016
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Just like the presence of a breast implant shouldn't interfere with a mammogram and the correct diagnosis of breast cancer, the capsule should not interfere with a mammogram.
Victor Urzola, MD - Account Suspended


Costa Rica Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 13 reviews

June 27th, 2016

The capsule will not interfere

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Just like the presence of a breast implant shouldn't interfere with a mammogram and the correct diagnosis of breast cancer, the capsule should not interfere with a mammogram.


Costa Rica Plastic Surgeon

Capsule will not interfere with breast cancer screening

June 18th, 2015
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With under the muscle implants, the capsules are behind the breast tissue and muscle, so they won't get in the way of mammograms or breast exams.  As long as they are not thick and calcified, they are expected to resolve on their own after implant removal.
Lynn D. Derby, MD
June 18th, 2015

Capsule will not interfere with breast cancer screening

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With under the muscle implants, the capsules are behind the breast tissue and muscle, so they won't get in the way of mammograms or breast exams.  As long as they are not thick and calcified, they are expected to resolve on their own after implant removal.
Lynn D. Derby, MD

OK to leave capsule with implant removal

June 18th, 2015
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Because the capsule is behind the muscle it is not likely to interfere with mammograms. Your surgeon should however make sure that the muscle is re-attached, which will also help the capsule to close up and heal.
Richard Baxter, MD
June 18th, 2015

OK to leave capsule with implant removal

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Because the capsule is behind the muscle it is not likely to interfere with mammograms. Your surgeon should however make sure that the muscle is re-attached, which will also help the capsule to close up and heal.
Richard Baxter, MD

Implant removal

June 17th, 2015
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A normal capsule is very thin and should not interfere with mammogram.  Also the Mammogram focuses on the breast tissue above the muscle not what is underneath the muscle.  If there is any concern in your breast screening down the line, Ultrasound, 3D mammogram or MRI are useful additional studies.
Tracey H. Stokes, MD

Tracey H. Stokes, MD
Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

June 17th, 2015

Implant removal

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A normal capsule is very thin and should not interfere with mammogram.  Also the Mammogram focuses on the breast tissue above the muscle not what is underneath the muscle.  If there is any concern in your breast screening down the line, Ultrasound, 3D mammogram or MRI are useful additional studies.
Tracey H. Stokes, MD

Tracey H. Stokes, MD
Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
4.2 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

Capsule of implants

June 17th, 2015
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If the capsule was thin, it will likely resorb and likely should not impact your mammograms to any significant extent.

Web reference: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com/breast-procedures/breast-augmentation-new-york/

Steven Wallach, MD
June 17th, 2015

Capsule of implants

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If the capsule was thin, it will likely resorb and likely should not impact your mammograms to any significant extent.

Learn more: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com/breast-procedures/breast-augmentation-new-york/

Steven Wallach, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.