To understand en bloc capsulectomy or total capsulectomy, surgical procedure, it is essential to be familiar with the breast capsule. It is the scar tissue that forms around the breast implant. This occurs as a natural reaction of the body to the implantation, and in most cases, will not change in the way your implants look or feels. 

When taking out the breast implants, the capsule should always be taken into consideration. If the breast implants are being removed permanently, a total capsulectomy can ease tissue recovery and healing. In an enbloc capsulectomy, the full capsule is removed along with the implant as a single unit. The breast implant will stay inside the capsule during the entire surgery.

The surgeon will take out the old capsule via en bloc capsulectomy only when it is suitable and safe for the patient. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast implant removal to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and surrounding locations.

When is En Bloc Capsulectomy Not Advised?

There are some cases where an en bloc capsulectomy surgery cannot be performed or is not the appropriate choice. If the capsule is very delicate and thin to take out as a single piece your explant surgeon will take out as much of the capsule as possible with the implant and then cautiously remove the scar tissue left behind. Another condition that could stop en bloc with total capsulectomy is if the capsule is stuck to the vital tissues.

For instance, if scar tissue is found attached tightly to the rib cage, taking out the tissue could cause damage to the lungs. This at times implies that some portions of the capsule will stay in place. Your surgeon will take all the necessary steps to ensure good healing including sterilizing the capsule left behind. In most cases, the capsule left behind does not cause any problem to the patient.

Process of Implant Removal 

Breast implant removal procedure is accomplished in the outpatient setting at an accredited surgical facility. This surgical procedure involves general anesthesia and takes around two hours. Usually, the explant surgery can be performed using the incision sites made during your earlier breast augmentation. 

However, in a few cases, your surgeon may want to make an extra incision to guarantee thorough removal of the capsule. The surgeon will remove the entire capsule that has formed around the breast implant and extract it as one piece. After the removal of both the capsules, the cuts will be closed, and you will be placed in a compression bra.

Taking out the implants help to restore the natural aesthetics of the patient but this procedure may cause some changes to soft tissue. Drooping or sagging is common after the breast implant surgery because the skin stretches itself to accommodate the implant. 

In case the patient is not interested in new implants, there are alternatives to address this issue. The first option is a breast lift, which includes eliminating the extra skin and changing the position of the nipple and areola to construct a perkier breast. 

The other option is to use fat grafting to add more volume in the breast, partly replacing what was created by the implant, but with a more natural and subtle effect. 

Recovery from Implant Removal

If you are a non-smoker, not overweight and have general good health, you will not take much time to heal and will require only a few days of downtime. Patients may experience some post-operative swelling that generally resolves within the first four weeks after surgery.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

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• To see more services and treatments provided by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles | West Hollywood and his team please visit:
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Selecting a plastic surgeon for your breast explant surgery is a decision that will have an effect on your life for years to come. A successful breast implant removal surgery will give significant benefits to you, as long as a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon performs it.

In the hands of a relatively inexperienced or less qualified surgeon, the possibility of poor results increases. This may lead to additional time, expense, and disappointment for the patient. 

Patients looking for breast explantation surgery should carefully identify a skilled cosmetic surgeon because working with an inexperienced or a lesser qualified surgeon could result in surgical complications, unwanted health and cosmetic problems and added expense related to revision surgeries.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast implant removal to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and surrounding communities.

Vital Considerations

The patient should ideally make a list of all the questions that they may have in mind before looking for a suitable surgeon for their breast implant removal surgery. It is essential for the patient to identify a plastic surgeon with the precise credentials and experience, likely an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgeon. 

Stemming from this, the patient should also try to find a surgeon whose fees are within their budget. She should be comfortable with the personality of the surgeon and bedside manner. Does the patient want a surgeon with a friendly attitude, or someone with a more business-like approach to the plastic surgery process?

Will the cosmetic surgeon give her guidance on the most suitable techniques for her explant surgery or will they have a one-size-fits-all approach? To ensure that the patient choses the appropriate plastic surgeon, it is imperative to find answers to all these questions before the consultation. 

 What if the En bloc Removal Process is not Possible?

Make sure the cosmetic surgeon knows beforehand that if en bloc removal cannot be performed, you want your surgeon to take out as much of the scar tissue capsule as possible. Experienced en bloc surgeons will know how to remove your breast implants and scar capsule material with caution.

Unfortunately, not many surgeons have the experience needed for en bloc removal procedures. In case, you are unable to find a plastic surgeon who can efficiently carry out the en bloc removal, you should choose a surgeon who can carry out a total capsulectomy.

If you will be paying for the breast implant removal surgery yourself, remember that the key factor to consider is the skill and capability of the surgeon in carrying out en bloc removal. At times, women have traveled to expert plastic surgeons in different states, and yet spent lower than what their less experienced, local cosmetic surgeon may have charged. 

Your Final Decision

Once you have chosen an ABPS certified surgeon who has adequate experience in explantation, there are many questions you should ask to guarantee your surgeon understands your requirements. You should ask the surgeon how many total capsulectomy or en bloc or surgeries they have undertaken to get an idea of the expertise of the surgeon. 

You may also request to speak with one of your surgeon’s patients who has had en bloc explantation to know about her experience. Lastly, you may ask for breast implant removal before and after images of other patients. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and nearby areas for breast implant removal. 

Click here for Virtual Consultation

• To see more services and treatments provided by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles | West Hollywood and his team please visit:
  • drmotykie.com
  • motykiemedspa.com
  • drgarymotykierhinoplasty.com
  • freezethefatbeverlyhills.com
  • drgarymotykiebreastaugmentation.com
  • drgarymotykiefacelift.com