En Bloc Capsulectomy
En bloc capsulectomy is a specialized procedure that removes both your implant and the surrounding scar tissue in one piece. This approach may be beneficial for women experiencing complications from their implants.
En Bloc Capsulectomy in Reno, NV
En bloc means “as a whole,” and refers to the removal of your entire breast implant capsule along with the implant itself. The capsule is a layer of scar tissue that your body naturally forms around your implant. En bloc capsulectomy removes both your implant and the capsule to address this complication.
This procedure may be recommended in cases of capsular contracture—where the capsule around your implant hardens and tightens, causing pain, distortion, and discomfort—and implant rupture, to remove all implant material if your implant leaks or breaks. Benefits of en bloc capsulectomy are that it can reduce the risk of recurrent capsular contracture and minimize the amount of implant material that escapes to your surrounding tissues.
You may also consider an en bloc capsulectomy if you’re experiencing symptoms of Breast Implant Illness (BII). While not a formally recognized medical diagnosis, many women report symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, headaches, hair loss, and difficulty sleeping that they attribute to their implants. The exact cause is unknown and the most effective treatment is to remove your implant.
If you think you may be a good candidate for breast implant removal surgery but don’t need an en bloc capsulectomy, find out more information about our breast implant removal procedure here.
Ideal En Bloc Capsulectomy Candidate
Ideal candidates may experience severe capsular contracture or implant rupture. The capsule itself should be relatively thin and intact, and enough healthy breast tissue should surround your implant for a good outcome. If you’re experiencing symptoms of Breast Implant Illness, you may also be a good candidate for this procedure.
Schedule an appointment with our team to determine if en bloc is the right approach for you.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
For this procedure, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia. Dr. Virden will make an incision along the existing scar in the breast fold. En Bloc can really only be accomplished from a larger access incision located in the breast fold. He will then dissect the tissue around the implant capsule and carefully separate the capsule from your healthy breast tissue. The goal is to create a clear pathway to remove the entire implant and the scar tissue capsule to avoid releasing implant material into surrounding tissues. Dr. Virden will carefully extract the implant and capsule, and close the incision with sutures.
This procedure can last between two to three hours.
En Bloc Capsulectomy Post-Surgical Care and Recovery
Following your en bloc capsulectomy procedure, Dr. Virden will provide post-surgical care instructions, including pain medication, wound care, and compression garment use. Regular follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing and address any concerns.
You may experience pain, soreness, swelling, bruising, and bleeding post-procedure. There is a likelihood of using one small drain per side. Usually these drains are removed in the office within the first week.Your first week of recovery involves rest with minimal activity due to these side effects. You may resume light activity one to three weeks after your surgery, and may return to normal activity after around four to six weeks. Full recovery, including scar maturation, can take several months.
It’s important to let the recovery process take its course and allow your body to heal. If any of the side effects worsen, contact our office.
En Bloc Capsulectomy FAQs
What Is an En Bloc Capsulectomy?
En bloc capsulectomy is a specialized breast implant removal procedure. It removes both your implant and the entire surrounding scar capsule in one piece. This approach aims to minimize the risk of complications and improve long-term outcomes for women experiencing issues with their implants.
Is En Bloc Capsulectomy Covered by Insurance?
En bloc capsulectomy is not covered by insurance because the initial breast implant surgery is considered cosmetic. Any subsequent procedures stemming from the elective cosmetic breast implant surgery are deemed elective and are not covered.
What Are the Risks of En Bloc Capsulectomy?
The procedure itself is more complicated than traditional capsulectomy, leading to a longer surgery time and increased risk of bleeding or infection. There’s also a small chance of nerve damage during capsule dissection, causing numbness, tingling, or weakness. Scarring is inevitable due to the incision, but Dr. Virden works to make incision points as discreet as possible. It’s always important to discuss potential risks and benefits with your doctor when determining if this procedure is right for you.
What Is the Recovery Time for En Bloc Capsulectomy?
You can gradually resume light activities after one to three weeks, and can resume normal activities after four to six weeks. Full recovery may start around week six, but can take several months post-procedure.
Is En Bloc Surgery Safe?
This surgery is safe when performed under the right circumstances. This means your surgeon should be highly qualified and experienced, like Dr. Virden. This procedure does carry risks because it is a surgery, so your doctor will discuss your options to see if en bloc is the right fit for you.
Is En Bloc Capsulectomy Necessary?
En bloc capsulectomy isn’t required for everyone considering breast implant removal. Women experiencing severe capsular contracture or implant rupture might benefit from en bloc to minimize the risk of recurrence or complications. For less severe capsular contracture, traditional capsulectomy may be sufficient. This is a good conversation to have with your doctor at your initial consultation.
What is en bloc capsulectomy?
En bloc is a French term that translates to “all together” or “as a whole.” An en bloc capsulectomy refers to a method of breast implant removal that removes the scar tissue capsule and the breast implant all at once, without opening the capsule. The goal is not to have any “spillage” of the implant or surrounding tissue into the breast pocket. This type of implant removal is performed for many reasons. Some include development of implant complications, aesthetics, and/or fear of the long-term safety of the implants.