I've been reading a lot of ladies stories and looking at their photos on explant. Some ladies look good/better than expected but some poor ladies look deformed. I've noticed the ones that have had capsules removed have also lost breast tissue and they have craters, deformed nipples/breasts because of this. Does this have to be done? Why? Can the capsule and breast tissue be left alone? Seems like you have a better result and not deformed when it's left. What are your thoughts/experiences on this?
Answer: Is it necessary to remove capsule when doing explant? What are the pros and cons of leaving it? Thank you for your question, and it is clear that you have done your homework! In general, the capsules formed around breast implants do not need to be removed when explanting. Unless the capsule has created issues from scar contracture, has thickened, or looks/feels abnormal, it can often be left in place. This allows for a much faster operation, with less anesthesia time, and less risk of bleeding or overlying skin issues. Because the capsule is created after the implant is placed, it does add additional volume to the breast, and the reason you have noticed that breasts appear smaller if the capsules are removed. I do use drains in patients, in order to avoid fluid collections from developing. As far as results, there are reasons that some may look better than others, and this can be the result of how the capsule is treated, but also if ancillary procedures such as breast lifts are done at the time of explantation, as well as consideration as to the amount of breast tissue relative to implant size. The greater the stretch placed on a patient's skin with implants, the greater the skin excess when the implants are removed, and the greater likelihood of breast irregularities or poor cosmetic results. Hope this helps!
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Answer: Is it necessary to remove capsule when doing explant? What are the pros and cons of leaving it? Thank you for your question, and it is clear that you have done your homework! In general, the capsules formed around breast implants do not need to be removed when explanting. Unless the capsule has created issues from scar contracture, has thickened, or looks/feels abnormal, it can often be left in place. This allows for a much faster operation, with less anesthesia time, and less risk of bleeding or overlying skin issues. Because the capsule is created after the implant is placed, it does add additional volume to the breast, and the reason you have noticed that breasts appear smaller if the capsules are removed. I do use drains in patients, in order to avoid fluid collections from developing. As far as results, there are reasons that some may look better than others, and this can be the result of how the capsule is treated, but also if ancillary procedures such as breast lifts are done at the time of explantation, as well as consideration as to the amount of breast tissue relative to implant size. The greater the stretch placed on a patient's skin with implants, the greater the skin excess when the implants are removed, and the greater likelihood of breast irregularities or poor cosmetic results. Hope this helps!
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Answer: Capsulectomy after breast implant removal Thank you for your inquiry!Technically, a capsulectomy is to be performed after explantation. However, the decision is made on a case by case base.Additionally, a capsulectomy is not performed as a "free standing" procedure following the explantation. A reconstruction is almost always needed to make sure none of what you mentioned above happens.I hope this helps.Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS
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Answer: Capsulectomy after breast implant removal Thank you for your inquiry!Technically, a capsulectomy is to be performed after explantation. However, the decision is made on a case by case base.Additionally, a capsulectomy is not performed as a "free standing" procedure following the explantation. A reconstruction is almost always needed to make sure none of what you mentioned above happens.I hope this helps.Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS
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August 10, 2015
Answer: Is it necessary to remove capsule when doing explant Thank you for your question. The capsule is removed if it is thick and causing a contracture. If it is thin and soft then there is not need to remove. Make an appt. with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to further answer any questions ypu may have. Best Wishes.
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August 10, 2015
Answer: Is it necessary to remove capsule when doing explant Thank you for your question. The capsule is removed if it is thick and causing a contracture. If it is thin and soft then there is not need to remove. Make an appt. with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to further answer any questions ypu may have. Best Wishes.
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December 19, 2018
Answer: Most often the capsule is left because it is a living part of... yourself. Removing the capsule (excluding ruptured silicone gel or calcified contracture) causes more discomfort, more scarring (not less), a larger surgical area, and more complications (risk of bleeding, fluid, infection...all because of a more extensive procedure). All for no reason. There is no benefit or so little that the risk far outweighs any potential benefit.
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December 19, 2018
Answer: Most often the capsule is left because it is a living part of... yourself. Removing the capsule (excluding ruptured silicone gel or calcified contracture) causes more discomfort, more scarring (not less), a larger surgical area, and more complications (risk of bleeding, fluid, infection...all because of a more extensive procedure). All for no reason. There is no benefit or so little that the risk far outweighs any potential benefit.
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August 9, 2015
Answer: Is it necessary to remove capsule when doing explant? What are the pros and cons of leaving it? Thank you for the question. You have made some insightful observations after looking at photographs.In many areas of plastic surgery, including breast implant removal surgery, you will find many different (often strong) opinions as to the best way to handle a specific situation. In my practice, generally speaking, unless the breast implant capsules have thickened and/or are otherwise symptomatic, I do NOT remove them. On the contrary (unless indicated), capsulectomy can expose patients to additional risks, such as bleeding, breast size loss and/or irregularities... Your plastic surgeon, based on your physical examination, will be able to inform you whether the breast implant capsule is thickened or abnormal.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
August 9, 2015
Answer: Is it necessary to remove capsule when doing explant? What are the pros and cons of leaving it? Thank you for the question. You have made some insightful observations after looking at photographs.In many areas of plastic surgery, including breast implant removal surgery, you will find many different (often strong) opinions as to the best way to handle a specific situation. In my practice, generally speaking, unless the breast implant capsules have thickened and/or are otherwise symptomatic, I do NOT remove them. On the contrary (unless indicated), capsulectomy can expose patients to additional risks, such as bleeding, breast size loss and/or irregularities... Your plastic surgeon, based on your physical examination, will be able to inform you whether the breast implant capsule is thickened or abnormal.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
