en bloc Capsulectomy breast implant removal
To understand en bloc capsulectomy or total capsulectomy surgery, you need to be familiar with a capsule, which is the scar tissue that grows around an implant. The development of this scar tissue is a natural reaction of the body when the implant was placed in the breast.
In most cases, the scar tissue will not change in the way your breast implant looks or feels. When removing the implants, it is always important to take this capsule (scar tissue) into consideration.
If the implants are being taken out permanently, a total capsulectomy can help in safer healing and recovery of the tissue. In the en bloc capsulectomy technique, the whole capsule is taken out together with the implant in one single piece.
The implant will remain within the capsule during the entire surgery. An experienced cosmetic surgeon will withdraw the old capsule via en bloc capsulectomy only when they consider it an appropriate and safe option for the patient.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain provides breast implant removal to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.
When is En Bloc Capsulectomy Not Recommended?
There are some situations where an en bloc capsulectomy surgery cannot be undertaken or may not be the most suitable option. If the capsular tissue is very delicate and thin to take out in one piece, the surgeon may not perform en bloc capsulectomy. Instead, they will take out as much of the capsule as possible along with the implant and then carefully remove the scar tissue that is left behind.
Another condition where the surgeon may not carry out the en bloc capsulectomy is when the capsule adheres tightly to some critical tissues. For instance, if scar tissue is found closely enveloped around the rib cage, taking out the full capsule could injure the lungs.
In these cases, some portions of the capsule will be left inside at the time of implant removal. Your breast surgeon will make sure that all required steps are taken to allow good healing, including sterilizing the remnants of the capsule. In general, the remaining capsule does not cause any health problems to the patient.
The Process of Implant Removal
The breast explantation surgery is carried out in an outpatient setting at an accredited surgical facility. The procedure requires the patient to be under general anesthesia and the entire surgery will last for about two hours. The procedure can usually be performed using the incision sites made during your original breast augmentation surgery.
In certain cases, the surgeon may require to make an extra incision for total removal of the capsule. The surgeon will remove the entire capsule that has developed around the implant and take it out as a single entity. After the removal of both the capsules, the incision sites will be closed, and the breasts will be covered with bandages and a compression garment.
Removal of implants helps to restore the natural aesthetics of the patient, but it may produce some changes to soft tissue. Drooping or sagging of the breasts may occur in some cases after the procedure because the skin stretches itself to accommodate the implant. If the patient does not wish to get new implants, there could be other ways to address this issue.
The first is a breast lift surgery, which can be performed along with implant removal. The procedure involves elimination of excess loose skin and relocating the nipple and areola to build a perkier breast. The second choice is to use fat grafting to provide volume to the breast, partly replacing what was created by the breast implant, but with a natural and subtler effect.
Recovery after the Implant Removal
If you are not overweight, in good general health, and not a smoker, your recovery should not take long and you may be able to return to your regular activities in less than a week. You can expect some postoperative swelling which usually goes away within the first four weeks after the surgery.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for breast implant removal surgery.
For More Information
McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.
Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.
