Follow up - My doctor wants to try the "popcorning" cauterization method. Is he taking the easy way out? (Photo)

Question

Hi and thank you for your time. I have another question on here about my breasts being uneven. My post cut off the most important bit of information- this has been corrected once with being opened under the breast, cauterized, and stitched up. It dropped again and now this doctor wants to try the cauterization method "popcorning" as a commenting plastic surgeon noted. The doctor who did mien doesn't seem to care that I'm unhappy. Is he trying the easy way out? Frustrated!

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  Its hard to know what the best option to shorten the distance between the areola and the breast fold would be for you.  I think tightening the capsule in that area (capsulloraphy) is likely to be the most effective.  The skin will redrape once this is done and no additional external scars are needed.  "pop corning" the capsule may work but somehow I feel that that is a better option for the side of the breast where the weight of the implant is not as much.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I think I answered this already, but usually  to fix a pocket that is too large, one places sutures in the areas that need to be adjusted. Some also use an ADM for additional support.

Christopher D. Knotts, MD, FACS · Answer

This is not fun to go through!! My usual approach is to try a 'less invasive' option first, which can be 'popcorning' (the least invasive -- using heat to shrink the capsule) or a partial capsulectomy/capsulorrhaphy (second most invasive -- removing a wedge of capsule from the lower portion of the breast, and then suturing the fresh capsule edges together with anchoring sutures). If this fails, and it sometimes does, then it means your tissues are no longer holding the implant up, so you need to consider adding additional support. There are a variety of mesh options available to add support (most invasive -- SERI or Stattice). Something else to consider is doing down in implant size a little bit as this will mean less weight and stretch on the tissues. In general, if you have already had the capsule removed and sutured, then you probably want a more invasive solution. Sit down with your surgeon and discuss what your concerns are. They may not understand how much this is bothering you and will likely appreciate your honesty. Hope that helps!CDK

Alex N. Mesbahi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Sorry to hear you are having a bad experience.  If you have failed one revision, I do not feel that this would be the technique to correct it.  For whatever reason, your soft tissue is not supporting the implant and more advanced techniques will be necessary to correct the result.  It would also be interesting to see your original pre-operative photos to see if there was any pre-existing asymmetry.  The left breast currently looks larger than the right in the pictures.  I always support communicating with your surgeon first.  If you feel your concerns are not being addressed adequately, consider a second opinion.

Follow up - My doctor wants to try the "popcorning" cauterization method. Is he taking the easy way out? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Popcorning

Answer: Popcorning

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Follow up - My doctor wants to try the "popcorning" cauterization method. Is he taking the easy way out? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Popcorning

Answer: Popcorning

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.