Breast Implant Removal With En Bloc Capsulectomy in Dallas

When a foreign substance is introduced to the body, such as a breast implant, scar tissue often forms around it. This is part of the body’s natural defense against unknown materials. Most of the time, this scar tissue (also called a capsule) is thin and causes no issues. In some circumstances, however, the capsule is thicker and more apparent. En bloc capsulectomy is a procedure to remove a breast implant and the scar tissue that has grown around it.

Dr. Phillip Dauwe is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction surgery, and breast implant removal using the en bloc capsulectomy method. In any surgery, his first priority is to make sure patients fully understand the process involved before moving forward. Below, we offer detailed information about en bloc capsulectomy to remove breast implants as well as the capsule. To learn more about what is involved, contact Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery in Dallas, TX, to schedule a private consultation. 

Reasons for en bloc capsulectomy

While breast augmentation is a safe and effective cosmetic surgery, not all patients keep their saline implants or silicone implants on a long-term basis. There are many reasons women request or require breast implant removal. Sometimes there are health complications from the scar tissue forming around the implant, while other women simply want to return to a smaller breast size for a natural aesthetic. Dr. Dauwe can perform en bloc capsulectomy surgery for these and other reasons at his clinic in Dallas. 

Individuals with textured breast implants may also develop a very rare cancer of the immune system called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Symptoms to watch out for are unexplained breast enlargement, fluid buildup, or hardening of the breast. If you experience any worrying issues with your implants, we encourage you to see a physician right away for an evaluation and screening. Though BIA-ALCL is very rare, it can be highly treatable with early detection and implant removal. Since BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue near the breast implant, en bloc capsulectomy is usually the best option for removing the affected implants.  

Who is not a candidate for en bloc capsulectomy?

During breast implant removal, en bloc capsulectomy allows Dr. Dauwe to cut around the entire capsule without causing contamination to the body. Since the silicone stays inside the capsule, this prevents bacteria from spreading or causing potential issues. However, there are some circumstances where en bloc capsulectomy is not the right decision for a patient. If the capsule is too thin to remove in one piece, Dr. Dauwe can remove as much of the implant as possible before extracting the remaining scar tissue. In other cases, it may be dangerous to remove some of the scar tissue if it is attached to other vital tissues. Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery takes every precaution to allow proper healing in every breast reduction surgery to ensure that the remaining capsule does not cause any health concerns. 

The breast implant removal process

Dr. Dauwe performs breast implant removal in an outpatient setting, generally taking about 2 – 3 hours to complete. Surgery may require general anesthesia and uses your previous incision sites, though it is possible we may need to make an additional incision to be sure we have completely removed the entire capsule. Once the saline implants or silicone implants are removed, we will close the incisions and give you a compression garment to help with the healing process. Patients are closely monitored in our recovery facility before being released to a responsible family member or friend. 

It takes about a month for any swelling and bruising to subside. At that time, you may feel lighter and more comfortable in your new body. The skilled staff at Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery may also review some of the changes you will experience during this time, such as sagging or drooping soft tissue. This issue can be addressed by removing the excess skin with a breast lift. By lifting the skin and repositioning the nipple and areola, patients can have a natural-looking appearance in the breast. Another option is to use fat grafting to restore lost volume without the use of implants. 

Implant removal with en bloc capsulectomy

If you feel challenged by your breast implants in everyday life, implant removal with en bloc capsulectomy may be the answer you are looking for. Implant removal can reduce or eliminate the effects of certain conditions and give you peace of mind. Whether you have saline implants or silicone implants, it is crucial to choose a surgeon who listens to your desired outcome. Dr. Dauwe and the team at Phillip Dauwe, M.D. Plastic Surgery treat every case with knowledge and compassion. For more information on breast reduction surgery or en bloc capsulectomy, call our office in Dallas, TX, to schedule a consultation for this life-changing surgery.