With the popularity of breast implants for nearly half a century, plastic surgeons are seeing some of the late effects of breast implants. The most common issue is capsule formation also known as capsular contracture.

Capsular Contracture of Breast Implants
Capsular Contracture of Breast Implants

This complication is not only one that can occur early on, but it also can occur later in the life of the implants. It is widely believed that early capsular contracture is due to contamination of the implant, however, late onset is often due to partial or complete rupture of the implants. Another issue that we see is the dissatisfaction with size.

Large Breast Implants
Large Breast Implants

Implants have a time and a place and often the allure of a larger volume is replaced by feeling matronly and heavy. Menopausal changes also contribute to the size increase of breasts, hence, compounding the feeling that there is a mismatch of size and disproportion of the previous beauty that was felt with implants. Finally, breasts can also change with age. The onset of droopiness (ptosis) and other life events such as pregnancy, weight gain and loss, and genetics lead to loss of shape of the breasts.

Ptosis (droopiness) of Breasts
Ptosis (droopiness) of Breasts

The culmination of onset of capsular contracture, dissatisfaction with size and loss of shape of breasts lead to a desire for removal of implants. In general, implants that are removed in older patients are not replaced and breasts are lifted. This has become a very common operation and one that carries a high level of patient satisfaction.

Before and After of Removal of Implants with a Breast Lift
Before and After of Removal of Implants with a Breast Lift

In smaller breast patient and some of the younger patients, there is still a desire for breast implants. In such cases, implants are replaced with or without a lift. Occasionally, an internal support material is used to support and stabilize the shape of the breast.

Removal and Replacement of Breast Impants with Breast Lift Before and After Photo
Removal and Replacement of Breast Impants with Breast Lift

Regardless of the selected option, the implants are removed using a technique that has become known as en bloc capsulectomy. En bloc is a French term that signifies ‘whole’. En bloc capsulectomy is the removal of the entire capsule – in total.

En Bloc Capsulectomy
En Bloc Capsulectomy

This is an enticing and desirable method of “clean up”. The capsules are often thickened and occasionally marred with calcifications.

Calcified Capsule - Capsule Contracture - Breast Implants
Calcified Capsule

Some women continue to worry about breast implant illness despite the lack of any scientific proof of such consequence. For that group of patients en bloc capsulectomy is also desirable and relief from the removal of all elements associated with implants.


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WE ARE OPEN!

We have been fully operational since May of 2020. With patience and with care, we all are returning to normalcy. Our office continues to use safety protocols, and we are eager to see you.

ALTHOUGH OPEN, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU VIRTUALLY AS WELL

For patients who desire a virtual consultation, this option is available.
Our virtual web consultations can be done right in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a secure Internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
If you would like to have a VIRTUAL CONSULTATION or have any questions, please give us a call at (425) 827-7878 or contact us via our website to set up your virtual consultation today.

PRACTICE POLICY UPDATE FOR CORONAVIRUS (Covid-19):

Updated May 2022
We have been fully operational since May of 2020. This includes skincare and our non-invasive center (ENIC).
We know that so much of this pandemic caused an inconvenience for you, but we are delighted to see a return to normalcy. 
We will continue to be vigilant in our approach to Covid 19. For over two decades, we have considered safety as our most important prerogative — and there has never been a more important time to put that to use.
Here are some things we’re doing to ensure you are protected and that we maintain this facility as a Non-Covid Care (NCC) zone:

Patient Flow and Clinical Office Space

We now have a well-tested protocol of texting patients for control of flow for consultations.
We are assigning everyone to hourly wipe-downs of high-use areas with approved sanitizing wipes.
We are asking that no one wait in the waiting area.
We are coming up with protocols for room wipe-downs after each patient visit.
Every staff member will always wear a mask while in the office.
Every staff member will sanitize or wash hands after every interaction.
Implementation of virtual pre-ops, nursing visits, and questions.


Operating Room Experience

Similar precautions and questionnaires will be provided to establish Covid-19 Clear Status.
All staff will always wear a mask. All staff will always wear gloves.
Hand washing will be done for any patient interaction.
Specific wipe-down of our operating room, recovery, and pre-op areas will be performed.
We will minimize accompanying caretakers to only one. Those caretakers will be treated just like the patients.
Anesthesia Experience
Every anesthesia staff will wear goggles and other protective equipment during intubation.
Our anesthesiologists have been fully trained and are implementing all precautions for prevention of Covid-19 spread.
All circuits will be changed between each patient.
Full wipe-down of surfaces and floors will be performed.
We will implement a time-out protocol to confirm the Covid-19 Clear Status of every patient.


As you can see, we are taking this very seriously. We fully understand that this will cause some inconvenience in the short term, but realize that it is for the best.
Although Covid-19 has been a serious issue, we are seeing a resumption of normalcy. We continue to monitor this situation on a real-time basis, and we will not sit back until we know that we have done everything possible to avoid unnecessary exposure.
When you see us in action, you’ll realize that you have put your trust in the right practice.
Here are some links that might be useful:
State of Washington Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here to answer your questions!
Call us at (425) 827-7878
Email us at [email protected]
VIRTUAL CONSULTATION

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