Occasionally, several years after having a breast augmentation procedure, some women find that one or both of their breasts have become hard, sensitive to the touch, painful, appear asymmetrical, or have become deformed. This can be due to what is called capsular contracture. Dr. Andres performs en bloc capsulectomy to remove this issue and restore the breasts to their natural appearance.

What is capsular contracture?

While we still do not completely understand capsular contracture, it is something that the body does, as a form of encapsulating a foreign body within itself. This is something that the body does naturally, when defending itself from a foreign substance found within.

That being said, it can occur in some cases where this capsule shrinks, which squeezes the breast implant, causing it to distort.

Capsular contracture is unpredictable and varies from person to person.

There are different grades of severity in capsular contracture:

Grade l, which means there are no signs or symptoms
Grade ll occurs when the breast looks normal, but feels mildly firm
Grade lll, the breast feels firm and is beginning to appear distorted
Grade lV, is similar to Grade lll, in that the breast has become hard and distorted, but is additionally found to be painful, due to the continued shrinkage of the tissue surrounding the breast implant

Dr. Andres has perfected this technique and believes that it is important to remove the implant and capsule en bloc style for several reasons, including excision of the entire capsule for multiple reasons, removes the entire scarred area leaving fresh tissue to reshape the breast, minimize the chance of recurrent capsular contracture, and removal of the specimen as a whole so as not to disrupt the capsule while it is still in vivo. Many women from all over come to Andres Plastic Surgery just for this specific technique - discuss the en bloc procedure in detail with us and see why the results have been proven.

Understanding Breast Implant Complications

Symptoms of BII

Breast implant illness can sometimes be a concerning condition that develops after the placement of artificial breast implants during a breast augmentation or reconstruction procedures with implants.

Some of the most common symptoms include headache, fatigue, brain fog, a general sense of malaise, pain in the chest wall, and more.

If you suspect you might be experiencing BII, reach out to Dr. Andres and set up your consultation to begin exploring your treatment options.

Understanding ALCL

BIA-ALCL refers to a condition known as Breast Implant-Associated - Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. This very rare condition of a type of lymphoma has increasingly been followed since its findings a few years ago and is strongly thought to be linked to the placement of textured implants during a breast augmentation or reconstruction procedure. A common scenario and symptoms includes having/had a textured implant for several years, development of a large fluid collection, change in shape or size of the breast, and very rarely a mass in the breast or lymph nodes. Early detection is critical and cure requires the complete removal of both the implant and the tissue capsule that surrounds it (a procedure known as en bloc capsulectomy). Dr. Andres is adept at this procedure and can help you find the relief you deserve.

About the procedure

En bloc capsulectomy is performed as what is called an open capsulectomy procedure, which means that Dr. Andres will reopen the breast, most likely through the original entry site of the implant, so he may be able to remove the implant along with all of the surrounding capsule tissue as a single unit while it is still within the breast, before replacing your implant with a new one, if so desired. The main difference between an en bloc capsulectomy and a capsulotomy is that with an en bloc capsulectomy essentially everything that is affected by the tissue is completely removed instead of just cut and left in place.

During recovery

Most patients, once out of surgery, are able to return home, with the treated areas carefully bandaged, to minimize infection and facilitate proper healing. It's normal to experience some bruising and swelling. To assist the healing process, you will be given a surgical grade support bra. This bra should be worn consistently for the first several weeks. You’ll want to avoid any lifting, or strenuous activity for the first week or so. Typically, patients are able to return to their day-to-day routines, including work, within a week’s time. More demanding activities and exercise may be taken up again 3 to 4 weeks after your surgery.

During your consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Andres will want to go over what you are experiencing, to determine whether or not surgery is the right option for you. It is important that you take this time to bring up any questions or concerns that you may have, regarding your procedure, so that Dr. Andres has the chance to address them accordingly. Dr. Andres uses his seasoned experience and keen attention to detail to ensure that your procedure grants you with the results that you are hoping for.

If you’d like to discuss your options for en bloc capsulectomy in Phoenix, you can request a consultation online. Or if you prefer, you may contact the office directly and one of our staff members will be able to assist you in scheduling an appointment.

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En Bloc Capsulectomy