Explant with capsulectomy recovery expectations. 8 year old saline implants. Any suggestions?

Question

I am scheduled for removal of my 350cc sub pect. implants next week. The doctor has recommended a complete capsulectomy as well. My implants are intact and I have no issues with capsular contraction or any other complications. They are just too large and I am ready to have them out. He has recommended using exparel for post op pain control. What should I realistically expect for pain? is exparel really necessary? Compared to the pain from augmentation what will the recovery from explant be like?

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Exparel should help manage your pain for the first few days when pain is typically worst.  After the first few days to a week patients are often able to manage with over the counter pain medications.  You will need to wear compression as directed by your surgeon.  Lifting restrictions will also be in place in most cases.

Lisa Cassileth, MD, FACS · Answer

I kinda love everything you are saying here. The doctor should be doing at least a partial capsulectomy as you indicated, and repair the muscle, and inject exparel into the muscle repair, as he or she is doing. All doctors that say "it doesn't hurt at all" are usually sliding out the implant without doing the important part, i.e., the pec repair and making the breast look good again. The pain is very mild with the exparel, expect to have a few days of taking narcotics at most.

Steven M. Camp, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question about breast implant removal.You should expect to do well and likely have less pain than you did with your augmentation.  One thing to consider is the options during removal of your current implants.  Make sure to discuss your expectations for recovery and also post operative appearance.  In my practice I visit with many patients that want their implants removed and in many cases we can remove implants and control the postoperative shape with a lift, internal lift, fat grafting, and in some cases switch to smaller implants which can provide a nice natural and durable result.  Make sure to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to review your best option.Best WishesSteven Camp MD#HappyCamperMD

Jon E. Rast, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  If your capsule is soft there isn't any real need to remove it during the procedure.  Most patients don't have a significant amount of post op discomfort.  This usually can be done without the need for general anesthesia.  Good luck.

Milind K. Ambe, MD · Answer

Explantation surgery is usually not very painful.  I do not ever have the need to use exparel for post op pain control. If your surgery is performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs a lot of explantation surgeries then this should be an easy recovery.  Best of luck to you

Explant with capsulectomy recovery expectations. 8 year old saline implants. Any suggestions?

Answers (5)