If you’re considering capsulectomy breast implant removal, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we review the aspects of Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal, breast implant removal with capsulectomy, How do you get rid of air bubbles after breast augmentation, and Can breast implants cause problems years later?
Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal: What Is It?
Capsulectomy is the surgical removal of a capsule around the implant. This procedure can be performed in conjunction with another operation or on its own. The main purpose of this procedure is to remove scar tissue from around an implant. This type of surgery is typically recommended for patients who have had their implants for over 10 years or who have experienced complications with their implants such as capsular contracture (CC). CC occurs when scar tissue forms around an implant and causes it to become hard and painful.
How Do You Get Rid Of Air Bubbles After Breast Augmentation?
Air bubbles are a common side effect of breast augmentation surgery where saline solution is used as a filler material inside the breasts. They can occur during surgery or after when they expand within your body cavity until they find their way out through an opening somewhere else on your body like your armpit or backside region area regions regions region area.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal, breast implant removal with capsulectomy, How do you get rid of air bubbles after breast augmentation, and Can breast implants cause problems years later?
Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal
Deciding to have breast implants is a major decision. It is an investment designed to help you achieve the feminine curves you desire, often helping to boost your self-image. That said, you should not plan to have your breast implants for an entire lifetime.
Breast implants do not last forever, and there are many reasons why women will choose to have their implants removed, usually anywhere from 10 to 20 years after their initial surgery. Before making the decision to have implants, your plastic surgeon will go over how to care for your implants and the necessary checkups you should attend to help your implants last longer.
The average lifespan of breast implants
Breast augmentation is an effective way to enhance the appearance of your breasts. While generally safe and designed to be long-lasting, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that implants are not considered to be “lifetime devices.”
On average, today’s implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications.
In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more. Every patient is different, and the life of your implants will depend on your body and how you take care of your implants.
Reasons for breast implant removal or replacement
There are several different complications that can affect how long breast implants last and when you need to replace your implants. These can include:
Replacing or removing your breast implants
You have a few options for breast implant removal. You and your plastic surgeon can decide on simply removing the implants, removing the implants while also performing a breast lift, removing the implants and hardened scar tissue that has formed or an implant replacement with or without a breast lift.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss your options based on your goals, anatomy, and existing breast implants in order to help you choose what will work best for your desired results.
Proper care of implants helps prolong the lifespan
Proper care for your breast implants can help to improve their longevity, and this care begins during your breast augmentation recovery. For example, your plastic surgeon will advise you to wear a support garment or surgical bra during recovery. If you do not follow these guidelines, the lack of support can lead to increased sagging over time.
You should always follow your plastic surgeon’s guidelines for annual checkups, as well as performing regular self-checks. If you have silicone implants, the FDA recommends getting an MRI 5-6 years after the initial surgery and then every 2-3 years after that. Taking proper care of your implants can help you extend the life of your new look and give you more time before you are likely to require breast implant replacement.
breast implant removal with capsulectomy
Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner and freelance healthcare writer with over a decade of medical oncology and hematology experience.
Maria M. LoTempio, MD, is a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck) surgery.
A capsulectomy is the surgical removal of abnormally thick, hardened tissue that forms around breast implants—a condition known as capsular contracture. During this procedure, your breast implant is removed and usually replaced.
This article will review the surgical procedure of a capsulectomy. From why it is performed, the potential risks, and how to prepare, this article can help you better understand this procedure.
What Is a Capsulectomy?
A capsule is the protective, fibrous tissue that your body forms around any object introduced to and left in the body. In the case of breast implants, the capsule also helps keep them in place.
But with capsular contracture, the capsule tightens, and the tissue becomes abnormally dense, causing breast pain and distortion. A capsulectomy aims to address both of these issues.
Aside from capsular contracture after breast augmentation or breast reconstruction, a capsulectomy may also be done for other reasons, such as when breast implants are removed due to an infection, rupture, or cancer. During a capsulectomy, a plastic surgeon removes the scar tissue that forms around a breast implant. The implant itself is also usually replaced.
Types of Capsulectomy
There are two main types of capsulectomies:
In cases where capsular contracture continues to be a problem, or if a patient does not desire an implant replacement, autologous tissue reconstruction may be offered. With this surgery, the breast is reconstructed using a flap of tissue taken from the patient’s abdomen, back, buttocks, or thigh.
Since your body will not create a capsule around a flap, autologous breast reconstruction removes the risk of capsular contracture from re-developing.
Capsulectomy vs. Capsulotomy
A capsulotomy is a similar-sounding, though different type of surgery that may be used to treat capsular contracture. During a capsulotomy, the capsule is cut open and “released,” so that it is not squeezing the implant so tightly.
Capsulectomy and capsulotomy are the only proven treatment options for capsular contracture. However, capsulectomy is considered the gold-standard treatment option.
Disqualifications and Considerations
You should not have a capsulectomy if you:
A capsulectomy should be done with caution in people with a:
If any of these apply to you, mention them to your healthcare provider and discuss whether or not the pros of capsulectomy outweigh the cons in your case.
Potential Risks
In addition to the risks of anesthesia and general risks of surgery (e.g., bleeding, infection, etc.), specific risks associated with a capsulectomy include:
Purpose
The primary purpose of a capsulectomy is to treat capsular contracture.
Experts suspect capsular contracture is an extreme foreign body reaction to a breast implant. Collagen is produced from the inflammation that ensues, causing the tissue to become more fibrous. Breasts become extremely firm and painful as a result.
This complication may occur soon after surgery or years later. It may affect one or both breasts.
There are four grades of capsular contracture, referred to as Baker Grades 1 through 4:
To correct the capsular contracture, a capsulotomy or capsulectomy with possible implant replacement is often required, especially for grade 3 and 4 contractures.
Other Uses
Besides capsular contracture, other indications for a capsulectomy include:
Getting Cleared for Surgery
When a capsulectomy is scheduled, various pre-operative tests for medical and anesthesia clearance need to be run.
Such tests often include:
You may also be asked to undergo a mammogram if you are over age 40 or at high risk for breast cancer.
In some cases, imaging tests like a breast ultrasound or breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be ordered prior to surgery.
How to Prepare
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about what you can expect in terms of the look of your breasts after surgery. This cannot only ensure that you have realistic expectations, but it can help shape your overall surgical plan.
Prior to your capsulectomy, your surgeon will give you instructions on how to best prepare.
Location
A capsulectomy is performed in a hospital or surgical center by a plastic surgeon.
What to Wear
You will change into a hospital gown upon arriving. As such, it’s best to wear clothes that are easy to remove on the day of your surgery.
Do not wear makeup, hairspray, cream, lotion, or perfume. Leave all jewelry (including body piercings) and valuables at home.
Food and Drink
Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight on the eve of your surgery.
Medications
Stop taking certain medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and certain vitamins/herbal products 10 days prior to surgery.
Inform your surgical team of everything you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal products, dietary supplements, vitamins, and recreational drugs.
What to Bring
You will need to wear a support bra with a front closure after your surgery. This bra may be provided to you by the surgeon, or you may be asked to purchase it on your own in advance.
If the latter, be sure to bring it with you on the day of your surgery. Also bring:
If you are staying overnight in the hospital or in a recovery care center, be sure to also bring:
Once discharged, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You will also need to have someone stay with you the first day after your surgery.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
Your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking at least six weeks prior to surgery. Smoking can delay the healing process and have a significant negative effect on anesthesia.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
On the day of your operation, you will arrive, check-in, and show your driver’s license and insurance card.
After checking in, you will be taken to a holding area where you be led into a small pre-operative room.
Before the Surgery
Here, you will change into a hospital gown and stow your belongings.
A surgical nurse will review your medication list, record your vital signs, and place an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm.
You may receive an antibiotic through the IV at this time to help prevent postoperative infection. This IV will also be used for administering fluids and medications during and after surgery.
Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will then come to greet you and review the operation with you. You may need to sign one or more consent forms at this time.
Besides citing the overall risks of surgery, one of the required consent forms will review the possibility of unsatisfactory results after surgery (e.g., unanticipated breast shape/size if implants are removed and/or replaced).
From there, you will walk on your own into the operating room or be wheeled on a gurney.
During the Surgery
The anesthesiologist will give you inhaled or intravenous medication to render you temporarily unconscious in the operating room. You will not remember or feel anything during surgery.
Once you are asleep, the anesthesiologist will insert a breathing (endotracheal) tube down your throat to help control your breathing during surgery.
Your surgery will take around two to three hours and proceed in this general fashion:
The surgeon uses a scalpel to make one or more cuts within the breast (e.g., along the breast crease, which is the area where the breast meets the chest).
The specifics of this step depend on the type of procedure being done:
An implant is usually replaced at this point in the procedure.
Depending on your case, your surgeon may also place an acellular dermal matrix (ADM)— a special surgical mesh made from human or animal skin.
It would be placed within the pocket surrounding the implant as its being replaced to help reduce the incidence of capsular contracture.
The capsulectomy itself is now done. Your healthcare provider will finish up the surgery by:
Finally, anesthesia will be stopped, and the breathing tube will be removed.
You will then be wheeled to a recovery area.
After the Surgery
You will slowly wake up from anesthesia while in the recovery area. You may feel drowsy, nauseated, and sore.
Your nurse will monitor your vital signs and administer medication as needed to help you feel more comfortable.
If you are being discharged that day, it will likely be a few hours after the procedure. If not, you will be moved to a hospital room for your overnight stay once the surgical staff deems you are ready.
Recovery
Recovery times for this surgery vary, depending on the type of capsulectomy performed, the extent of the procedure, and whether/how your implants are replaced.
That said, generally speaking, recovery from capsulectomy takes around four to six weeks.
During this timeframe, expect to experience breast pain, swelling, and bruising. Breast numbness or unusual nerve sensations like tingling or burning are also common and normal.
To soothe any discomfort, take your pain medication as prescribed. Your surgeon may also recommend a gentle breast massage to help ease nerve sensitivity.
You may also be asked to sleep on your back for a certain period of time to minimize swelling and optimize wound healing.
Wear your support bra as directed.
Showering
Most patients can shower 24 to 72 hours after their operation, but follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions.
Also confirm with your surgeon whether you can remove your bra temporarily to shower. If you can, wash the incision sites gently and pat them dry with a clean towel.
If you have adhesive strips covering the incision sites, leave them in place.
Avoid soaking in a tub until your sutures/drains have been removed, and you have been given the OK by your surgeon.
When to Call the Healthcare Provider
Call your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
Diet
In terms of eating, your surgeon may advise you to avoid salt and caffeine for two weeks after the surgery. Salt can worsen swelling, and caffeine made impair blood flow to your wound sites.
Since you may experience some nausea from the pain medication and/or have a decreased appetite after surgery, it’s sensible to stick with bland foods that are easy to prepare and eat for the first week or so after your operation.
Some suggestions include pudding, oatmeal, bananas, and pasta.
Physical Activity
While your surgeon will want you to take it easy for the first week or so after surgery, it’s important to start taking short walks as soon as possible. Walking can help expedite healing and prevent complications like blood clots.
Your surgeon will also ask you to avoid strenuous/vigorous activities and heavy lifting for at least a month. In some cases, you may be asked to avoid certain movements for a designated period of time. Examples include elevating your arms, twisting, reaching, and bending over.
How do you get rid of air bubbles after breast augmentation
You should be in good physical condition and have realistic expectations to be a good candidate for the Los Angeles, CA procedure.
A breast implant is a silicone shell filled with a saltwater solution known as saline. If the implant leaks, the saline is absorbed into the body. This is the same as if the saline were given as an IV fluid. The method of inserting and positioning an implant is dependent upon factors based on the patient’s anatomy that are discussed with your doctor at the time of the consultation.
1. The incision can be placed in a number of different locations and every effort is made by your doctor to assure that the incision is placed so the resulting scars will be as inconspicuous as possible.
2. After the incision is made, a pocket is created either under the breast tissue or under the pectoralis muscle. This pocket is made just large enough to accommodate the implant. The implant is then positioned to give the best cosmetic result.
3. Following surgery, detailed instructions are given to the patient as to post-operative care and activity. All information regarding implants is discussed with the patient at the time of surgery.
Breast Augmentation FAQ
Nowadays, implants typically contain a silicone shell and are generally full of a saline solution. Only in particular cases are silicone gel-filled implants used, as they are restricted by the FDA. Styles of implants include difference in size, shape and consistency. The implants shape can be contoured like a tear-drop or round. The consistency can be silky or grainy. Which style is best suited for you depends on your personal situation. Your surgeon can help you with deciding.
Usually anywhere from one to three hours is how long surgery lasts. However it really depends on the individual patient, what type of placement for the implant and the form of anesthesia that is used.
Though short-term, the breast or nipple can have some sensitivity after breast augmentation. A few patients feel an enhanced sensitivity, others may feel a decrease, and a tiny amount of patients may have lost all feeling in their breast or nipple. There have been some unusual situations where these types of experiences are permanent, having a lasting affect on breastfeeding as well as a response sexually.
The many possible sites incisions are put are: periareolar (around the nipple); inframammary (within the crease beneath the breast); or axillary (below the armpit). Depending on a few factors, your incisions will be determined with the help from your surgeon. Typically, inframammary and axillary placements are linked with less complications if you decide to breastfeed, although both do have a small visible scar. Periareolar placement will result with a less visible scar, but higher complications with breastfeeding.
After breast augmentation, each patient recovers in her own way and with various periods of time. For the most part though, a patient commonly can go back to work in a few days after their surgery, but laborious activities needs to be avoided for 3 weeks or more.
A generally new sort of implant that has an inner substance close to the texture of a gummy bear are called gummy bear implants. They are technically recognized as cohesive gel implants and designed like this to lessen the wrinkling effect. Also, they are known to keep their shape and reliability should they leak or break.
Also called anatomical implants, contoured implants are in the shape of a tear drop and the round implants are merely round. Depending on the patient and a variety of reasons, your surgeon will help you determine which one is right. There are patients that would rather have contoured implants because they look more natural and then there are others who prefer to have the fuller look of the round implants (accomplished by submuscular placement). Problems can result if the contoured implants move or roll, requiring additional surgery. The majority of contoured implants are textured as to help lessen the dangers of them moving around.
There are a lot of things to consider when thinking of implant size and because of that, your surgeon is there to help you make the right choice. Yet, many patients find that size choosing is the hardest decision. An idea to help you decide may be to begin looking at photos in magazines to help yourself better determine the shape and size that you think is eye-catching. Another idea may be to get a few different sized bras and fill them with padding to see which size you feel most comfortable in.
After surgery if the implant drops very low on the chest, that is called bottoming out. Further surgery is typically required. Although there are many reasons for bottoming out, the typical reasons are because of the inframammary and periareolar placements of the incision, and the subglandular placement of the implant. Bottoming out can happen right after surgery or over a period of time.
Symmastia is a problem with implants when they slide together to the middle of the chest making them look like one breast. This condition is often referred to as ‘breadloaf’. This complication normally requires corrective surgery.
There is always some type of anesthesia used for the procedure, yet depending on the patient, they might have some sort of pain. With submuscular implant placement, there usually more pain. In about a couple of days, with medication prescribed for pain by your surgeon, the hurt should go away.
It can be feasible for breast implants to have a negative affect in regards to breastfeeding. A postpartum lift may be needed since pregnancy can change the look of augmented breasts.
Breasts with breast implants are likely to feel firmer than those breasts that are natural. However, the majority of patients think that it’s a good thing. Factors that may impact how breasts naturally feel after breast augmentation are: the placement of the implants, the implant’s surface and filler, the feel of the skin and the amount of current tissue that’s left.
After breast augmentation, the scars will become pale within several months to a full year.
Currently, string implants are not available in Los Angeles or the U.S. They are made up of a polypropylene material and after implantation they continually get bigger.
Silky on the surface, smooth implants do not have a texture, while on the other hand, textured implants do. The textured implants were first developed lower the danger of capsular contracture, but it is not totally for sure that they do. Most contoured implants are textured to help lower the danger of moving or twisting. The choice that is best for you will be determined with help from your surgeon.
Two choices for the implant placement are subglandular (above the chest muscle) and submuscular (below the chest muscle). There are benefits to them both and picking the correct one is figured out with the help of your surgeon. The submuscular placement is linked with a lower danger of implant palpability, capsular contracture and the interference with mammograms, however this placement can have an extended surgery and healing time, reduced access in the case of a re-operation and more pain. The subglandular placement is linked less surgery and healing time, easier access in the case of a re-operation and a smaller amount of pain, yet this placement can have a higher chance of implant palpability, capsular contracture and interference with mammograms.
One of the main reasons of a disappointing breast augmentation is rippling. It’s when waves or notches appearing on the shell of the implant and could be felt or visible through the skin. It us typically necessary to take the implant out and replace it, but sometimes the rippling is only short-term. It can happen for a few reasons, such as: the subglandular placement of the implant (specially in patients that have little or no tissue coverage and thin skin), implants that are textured, or the underfilling of the implant.
Noises such as buzzing, cracking, squeaking, gurgling or sloshing coming from the breasts after augmentation is common amongst some women. It’s a result of air bubbles in the implant pocket, a build up of fluid or the implants just trying to settle. Within several weeks, the noises should stop.
Because it is a cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation is usually not covered by insurance; however, if it is used after a mastectomy, some companies do offer some sort of coverage.
Implants, predominately subglandular placed implants, can hinder with the reading of a mammogram, so it is important for patients to mention that they have implants to the technician. Deposits of calcium may appear around the implant, allowing a misreading of it being cancer. When this happens the implant has to be taken out in able to find out for sure if there is cancer.
General anesthesia or a mixture of local anesthesia and sedation is typically used.
With every sort of surgical procedure there are dangers linked and the same goes for breast augmentation. The dangers might include bleeding, infection, mammography interference, capsular contracture, deflation, breast or nipple sensation changes, or implant removal and/or implant replacement.
Presently not accessible in Beverly Hills or the U.S., soybean oil implants that has soybean oil as the filler. At first, soybean oil as a filler was thought to provide positive results such as not interfering with mammogram readings, and if it leaked or broke that the body could safely absorb it; however their long-term effects are not known.
Although it could be a great means for other procedures, especially as a soft tissue filler for facial features, fat injections are not a good alternative for breast augmentation. This is because the outcome is short-term and can turn into problems, such as misdiagnosed mammogram readings.
When deciding on the extent of the implant, it is imperative that you consider what amount your own body can make room for. Those that do not have tissue that exists and opt for an extremely big implant may have results that can effortlessly be noticed and felt through the skin. Also, breasts that have very big implants can become droopy too early just like naturally big breasts do.
Not meant to last forever, implants may over time need surgery to remove and/or be replaced. They can give way at any given moment even though there are people who think they have a life span of about ten years. There are a few implant manufacturers that give some form of guarantee that could consist of replacing the implant if required.
Can breast implants cause problems years later
Deciding to have breast implants is a major decision. It is an investment designed to help you achieve the feminine curves you desire, often helping to boost your self-image. That said, you should not plan to have your breast implants for an entire lifetime.
Breast implants do not last forever, and there are many reasons why women will choose to have their implants removed, usually anywhere from 10 to 20 years after their initial surgery. Before making the decision to have implants, your plastic surgeon will go over how to care for your implants and the necessary checkups you should attend to help your implants last longer.
The average lifespan of breast implants
Breast augmentation is an effective way to enhance the appearance of your breasts. While generally safe and designed to be long-lasting, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that implants are not considered to be “lifetime devices.”
On average, today’s implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications.
In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more. Every patient is different, and the life of your implants will depend on your body and how you take care of your implants.
Reasons for breast implant removal or replacement
There are several different complications that can affect how long breast implants last and when you need to replace your implants. These can include:
Replacing or removing your breast implants
You have a few options for breast implant removal. You and your plastic surgeon can decide on simply removing the implants, removing the implants while also performing a breast lift, removing the implants and hardened scar tissue that has formed or an implant replacement with or without a breast lift.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss your options based on your goals, anatomy, and existing breast implants in order to help you choose what will work best for your desired results.
Proper care of implants helps prolong the lifespan
Proper care for your breast implants can help to improve their longevity, and this care begins during your breast augmentation recovery. For example, your plastic surgeon will advise you to wear a support garment or surgical bra during recovery. If you do not follow these guidelines, the lack of support can lead to increased sagging over time.
You should always follow your plastic surgeon’s guidelines for annual checkups, as well as performing regular self-checks. If you have silicone implants, the FDA recommends getting an MRI 5-6 years after the initial surgery and then every 2-3 years after that. Taking proper care of your implants can help you extend the life of your new look and give you more time before you are likely to require breast implant replacement.