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There can be different reasons for a breast implant removal, such as a change in personal aesthetic preference, a hardening of the breast implant, implant rupture or breast implant illness. When implants need to be removed, this can be accomplished in a number of ways. For those with breast implant illness (BII) or rupture, an en bloc capsulectomy with lift may be indicated as the best procedure for implant removal.

What is an en bloc capsulectomy with lift?

Your body naturally forms scar tissue around any foriegn object placed in the body. The tissue that is naturally formed around breast implants is called a capsule. A capsulectomy is a procedure done to remove the capsule if it has become infected and hardened. An en bloc capsulectomy is a more complex and detailed procedure done to remove the entire, intact capsule with the breast implant inside as one piece.

En bloc with lift includes a breast lift during the same procedure. Often when implants are removed, the breast skin is stretched and the breasts are sagging. En bloc with lift is a combination procedure to remove the capsule and implant as a whole and then lift and reshape the breasts before closing the incision.

How is an en bloc with lift performed?

During an en bloc capsulectomy, Dr. Sajan must separate the capsule from the surrounding tissues while the breast implant is still inside of it. This is a meticulous and delicate technique which allows the entire piece to be carefully removed through a vertical scar from the lower crease of the breast to the areola. This procedure ensures that nothing within the capsule (the implant or material from within a ruptured implant or any fluid within the capsule) comes in contact with your body. At the same time, Dr. Sajan’s method preserves the glandular tissue in your breasts. No drains are required.

During the breast lift, Dr. Sajan will use the same incision point to raise the breasts to achieve a shapely, appealing look. He employs a special procedure to use your tissue to create an internal bra to support the breasts. Excess breast skin will be removed in order to tighten, reshape and lift the breasts. The nipple is raised and repositioned higher on the breasts with a youthful, upward tilt. If necessary, he will trim the size of the areolae to make them smaller and proportionate to the breasts.

When is an en bloc with lift procedure required?

Women suffering from breast implant illness (BII) or who are concerned with implant toxicity often require this surgery to ensure nothing from the implant comes into contact with their body. BII refers to a wide range of symptoms that can develop after getting breast implants. Symptoms can include a number of concerns, such as muscle pain, fatigue, concentration problems, rash and skin problems, headaches, hair loss, sleep disturbance, dry mouth and eyes, anxiety and depression, breathing problems and gastrointestinal problems.

In many cases en bloc surgery improves or completely resolves BII symptoms. En bloc is required because women with BII need to have certainty that the implant and capsule were not opened and that their body was not further exposed to the implants.

If there has been an implant rupture, opening the capsule poses risks of the implant leaking into other parts of the body. In this case the en bloc procedure may need to be performed as well.

In cases of BIA-ALCL, a non-Hodgkins lymphoma that has been associated with breast implants, the capsule should be removed en bloc to ensure the cancerous cells are no longer in the body.

Most women undergoing an en bloc implant removal procedure are candidates for a simultaneous lift if their breasts are sagging or deflated and they would like them reshaped and lifted.

Who is a candidate for en bloc with lift?

  • You are in general good health
  • You are a nonsmoker
  • You are experiencing BII or other unexplained physical ailments you think may relate to your implants
  • You have experienced a rupture or leak of implants
  • You are concerned about implant toxicity
  • You are experiences capsular contracture that has led to a hard capsule
  • You have textured implants
  • You would like a lift done with your procedure to raise and lift your breasts

What is the recovery time for en bloc with lift?

You will be able to go home the same day as your procedure. You will experience swelling and bruising, which will peak after the first couple of days, then rapidly decrease. After the first few weeks, 50 percent of the swelling will be gone. Within about three months, the swelling will have fully eased off.

You may shower but not bathe or swim for at least two weeks. Take it easy for about a week in general. After about a week, you will be able to get around as you normally would, but don’t do any strenuous or rigorous activities until 4-6 weeks have passed.

Potential Risks

  • Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
  • Numbness of the lower breast area
  • Bleeding or blood clots
  • Poor wound healing or infection
  • Irregularities of breast contour and shape
  • Scarring, skin discoloration, permanent pigmentation changes, swelling and bruising
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Potential inability to breastfeed
  • Potential, partial or total loss of nipple and areola
  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
  • Persistent pain

Why choose Allure Esthetic?

At Allure Esthetic, we believe our patients deserve respect, confidentiality, compassion, and acceptance from the moment they walk through the doors. Their experience should be warm, welcoming, and in many cases life changing as they achieve their vision for their face and body and reach the goals they have always wanted to achieve.

Dr. Javad Sajan has been ranked for years as one of the top ten doctors in terms of patient satisfaction by the American Institute of Plastic Surgeons. He is dedicated to his patients’ wellbeing, aesthetic goals and safety. He is known for his extensive research and drive to make plastic surgery a better, safer and more satisfactory experience for patients. His experience and expertise with patients around the globe make him highly sought after as a surgeon. Call today for a consultation.

Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery

(206) 209-0988

Contact our Seattle location in Washington

Seattle Plastic Surgeon Location

600 Broadway Suite 320 Seattle, WA 98122

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