Although breast implant rupture and capsular contracture are complications that get the maximum attention, the fact is that only a very small percentage of women with implants will actually experience these conditions. However, when it happens, you should promptly consult with your breast surgeon to discuss your surgical options.
Envy Aesthetic Center, led by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Gonzalez, provides safe and proven cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to patients in El Paso, TX, and surrounding communities.
Implant Rupture
Both saline and silicone implants can technically rupture, develop tears or holes, or suffer other types of damage. Implants are soft by design in order to mimic the natural breast tissue, and they have a fluid core, which may either be saline solution or silicone gel.
If the saline implant ruptures, the implant deflation will occur quickly and you will come to know about it because the breast appearance will visibly change. Breast implant removal cosmetic surgery can be performed, which will involve a relatively small incision because the implant to be removed would have already deflated.
In case of silicone implant rupture, you may only come to know about it during your routine MRI exam (which is required every two years with your silicone implants). Removal of silicone implants will involve a slightly larger incision, but your surgeon will first aim to use the old incision lines which were placed at the time of your primary breast augmentation.
Capsular Contracture
When your implants are originally placed in the breast tissue, a scar tissue formation will occur naturally around the implant as the body’s healing response. This is known as the breast capsule, and your implant will be encased in this capsule.
In a few cases, this capsular tissue may inexplicably tend to harden, causing pain or tightness in your breasts. In most cases, a capsular contracture can only be addressed with a breast implant removal or replacement surgery.
The surgeon may remove the entire capsular tissue along with the implant (total capsulectomy), or only some part of the capsular tissue (partial capsulectomy) along with the implant.
In exceptional situations, an en bloc capsulectomy technique will be performed, where the implant and the breast capsule are removed at the same time as a single unit.
Implant Removal with Breast Lift Surgery
If you have decided not to undergo breast implant replacement, and choose only breast implant removal as an independent procedure, it may sometimes pose aesthetic challenges.
If your breast tissue has become loose, causing your breasts to sag over the years due to heavy implants, implant removal may result in your breasts looking deflated with the nipples pointing downwards.
This condition can be corrected by combining your breast implant removal plastic surgery with breast lift. Breast lift will involve excision of your loose skin from the breast along with repositioning or resizing of the areolas (if necessary). If you choose breast implant exchange or replacement surgery, you may be able to avoid this additional breast lift procedure.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Marco Gonzalez receives patients from El Paso, TX, and nearby areas for surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures for the breast, body, and face.
For more information on Plastic Surgery (cirugía plástica) and Non-Surgical Medical Spa procedures and treatments, please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (cirujano plástico), Dr. Marco A. Gonzalez (Dr. G) by clicking here or calling 915-600-2639.
Serving patients in El Paso Texas, Las Cruces New Mexico, Ciudad Juárez Mexico and surrounding areas.
Schedule a Consultation: 915-600-BODY (2639)