En bloc Capsulectomy

Nearly all breast implants used in the United States are sold with a 10-year warranty. While some breast implants can last for decades, some others may need to be replaced in a much shorter period of time. In any case, breast implants will usually not last forever.  

According to figures collected by the manufacturers of implants, nearly half of breast implants will need to be changed within a period of seven years. Some of the common reasons for breast implant problems are rupture, capsular contracture, and infection. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon provides breast implant removal to patients in Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas, and surrounding communities. 

Capsular Contracture 

Capsular contracture refers to the scar tissue development that occurs around the breast implant. All implants – textured, round shaped, smooth, above or below muscle, will form a capsule. As breast implants are a foreign entity, the human body tries to create a barrier around the implant by developing a capsule around it that acts as a protection.  

The capsule can sometimes be flimsy and soft, like an unnoticeable film. But sometimes it can become painful and firm – like a hard shell that feels as if it will contract and shrink over time. When an implant develops a painful, hard capsular contracture, it poses no risk to the patient’s health by itself. The discomfort, however, may cause the patient to seek its total removal along with the capsule.  

En Bloc Capsulectomy 

An en bloc capsulectomy can be undertaken to take out the breast implant and the capsule as a single piece. A complete en bloc capsulectomy is a meticulous surgery that takes out every fragment of the capsule, including the unit that may be very close to the wall of the chest and the ribs.  

A partial capsulectomy, on the other hand, leaves parts of the capsule in the breast pocket. The surgical dissection from an en bloc capsulectomy can create irritation in the leftover breast tissue, which will lead to the production of fluid from the body. Therefore, after an en bloc capsulectomy, it is essential to place drains to provide the fluid from the breast pocket a passage to get released from the body.  

In case a new implant is being positioned, it will usually be placed in a new space when en bloc capsulectomy is used. If the earlier implant was positioned below the pectoral muscle, the new implant will be placed above it. On the other hand, if the original implant was positioned pre-pectorally, the new implant will be placed sub-pectorally.  

In exceptional situations, the surgeon may find that the pectoralis muscle has been damaged or divided. In these conditions, it is essential to repair the muscle before the new implant can be placed. 

Capsulectomy without Implant Replacement 

For patients who choose explant surgery and en bloc capsulectomy procedure, but do not want a replacement with a new implant, the surgeon may leave the drains for removal of fluid for a relatively longer period of time. If the patient has excess breast tissue causing the deflation of breasts, she may require a breast lift or mastopexy to tighten the loose breast tissue and construct a more youthful breast mound.  

How Should the Patient Prepare for Surgery? 

The patient should stop smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol at least a few days prior to her en bloc procedure. These substances increase the chances of swelling and bruising post-surgery.  

All herbal supplements and blood thinner medications should also be stopped two weeks prior to the surgery. On the day of your surgical procedure, you should have someone who can safely drive you back home after the surgery. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon receives patients from Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas, and nearby areas for breast implant removal. 

For More Information Contact Us

For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in Offices in Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon by clicking here or calling 214-983-0213.

Serving patients in Highland park, University Park, Preston Hollow, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Southlake, Denton, Irving, Flower mound, Little Elm, Fort Worth, Texas and surrounding areas.

Breast implant exchange or removal cosmetic surgery provides a breast re-contouring option if your existing implants have either got damaged or become hard or thick. However, many women also choose this procedure when their aesthetic preferences change and they may want to replace the type, size, or shape of their implants. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon provides breast implant exchange and removal to patients in Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas, and surrounding locations.

Surgical Plan

During the initial consultation, your breast surgeon will evaluate the following aspects to determine whether breast implant exchange or breast implant removal may be more appropriate for you:

• Skin elasticity and tone in the breasts
• Status of the natural breast tissue
• Condition and placement of your existing implants
• Position of the nipples 
• Discomfort or breast implant illness
• Leakage of silicone implant 
• Your personal cosmetic needs and goals 

Your surgery will be planned after a detailed consultation. If your implants were originally placed behind the muscle or under the breast tissue, the surgeon may remove these using incisions below the breast crease or around the areolas. 

If you are a candidate for breast implant removal, the surgeon may have to perform an additional procedure called breast lift to tighten the breast tissue and uplift the areolas and nipples. 

Procedure 

If you suffer from capsular contracture, the surgeon may decide to remove the full capsule using en bloc capsulectomy or traditional capsulectomy technique. But if you are seeking breast implant exchange with a different size of implants, even the healthy capsule may have to be removed to ensure that the new implants stay in position.

Breast implant exchange or removal plastic surgery is usually performed using general anesthesia. Following anesthesia, your surgeon will take out your old implant, typically through your existing incision that was placed at the time of breast augmentation. They will check the implant for any rupture or tear, and then clean out the breast capsule. If the new implant is of a different size, the old capsule will also be removed. 

If your breast tissue has stretched significantly, the surgeon will also perform breast lift surgery at the same time of exchange or removal. Once the surgery is completed, the incisions will be closed with sutures and your breasts will be wrapped in bandages. The entire procedure may be completed in about one to two hours, depending on the surgical technique used and whether breast lift is a part of the procedure. 

Recovery

Recovery process will vary from one patient to another depending on which type of breast implant exchange or removal was performed and the individual healing ability of the patient. In general, you can expect to return to your normal routine or go back to work in about 10 to 14 days after your surgery. 

Vigorous exercises and lifting of heavy weights should be avoided for at least four weeks. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon receives patients from Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas, and nearby areas for breast implant exchange and removal.

For More Information Contact Us

For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in Offices in Dallas, Frisco, Sherman, Texas and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Matthias Solomon by clicking here or calling 214-983-0213.

Serving patients in Highland park, University Park, Preston Hollow, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Southlake, Denton, Irving, Flower mound, Little Elm, Fort Worth, Texas and surrounding areas.