Breast Implant & Capsule Removal in Cleveland, OH
What is Breast Implant Illness?
Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used to describe a group of systemic symptoms that some women report after undergoing Breast Augmentation, Breast Reconstruction following mastectomy or Breast Reconstruction for a congenital breast deformity, with either silicone or saline breast implants. The onset of symptoms usually occurs within the first two years or after a traumatic event such as an auto accident, a fall, mammogram, pregnancy, or severe bout of depression or anxiety.
Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness are diverse and may include:
- Fatigue and Chronic Pain: Persistent Exhaustion, Muscle Aches, and Joint Pain are common.
- Cognitive Issues: Difficulty with Memory, Focus, and Concentration, also known as “brain fog”.
- Skin Problems: Rashes, Hives, Dry Skin, and other skin conditions may occur.
- Emotional and Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, Depression, and Emotional Instability are sometimes reported.
- Other Symptoms: Hair Loss, Headaches, Breathing Difficulties, Digestive Problems and Weight Changes, Loss of Upper Body Strength (when implants are placed under the muscle)
En-Bloc Total Capsulectomy
The En-Bloc Total Capsulectomy technique is a surgical procedure where the entire scar capsule surrounding the breast implants is removed. Dr. Feng is masterful at performing this procedure and preserving the breast tissue and muscle. This protocol is routinely performed for the resolution of breast implant illness (BII) symptoms, rupture, and capsular contracture. Dr. Feng is extremely skilled at removing 100% of all implant material including implants, capsules, and any residual silicone granulomas when silicone gel implants are present and ruptured.
Pectoralis Major Muscle Repair
Repair of the Pectoralis Major Muscle is necessary and routinely performed by Dr. Feng when implants have been placed under the muscle. The reason is because this important muscle has been cut for insertion of the implants and therefore, the integrity or strength of the muscle has been greatly diminished. When implants are removed and the muscle fiber is not repaired and pulled back together, the two breasts separate further apart, creating a deformity in appearance and unnatural movement of the breasts when lifting. The goal is to prevent deformity after the implants have been removed and to restore function of this important muscle which is used for lifting, pushing and pulling.
Breast Implant and Capsule Removal and Repair of Pectoralis Major Muscle
Dr. Lu-Jean Feng is one of the world’s leading experts on Breast Implant Illness (BII) and the proper removal when explanting implants for symptom relief. She has done extensive research on this topic since 1994 and has published numerous papers in prominent medical journals over the years.
Dr. Feng’s goal is to perform a thorough and proper removal of all implant material including implants, scar capsules, any residual silicone granulomas whenever indicated. It is also essential to repair the pectoralis major muscle when implants have been placed under the muscle, in an effort to make the breasts look as good as possible. When the muscle is not repaired, a deformity will occur as the breasts will separate further apart and there will be abnormal movement of the breasts when raising the arms. The muscle repair is particularly critical when a breast lift is not feasible.
Breast Implant and Capsule Removal, Repair of Pectoralis Major Muscle and Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Many women are afraid of removing their breast implants and looking deformed afterwards, due to having long, flat, wide breasts with upper pole deficiency. That fear is not necessary when in the hands of a highly skilled surgeon like Dr. Lu-Jean Feng. She has extensive experience creating beautiful breasts following explantation surgery and her goal is to make the breasts appear symmetrical, uplifted, round in shape and with the nipple areolar size in proportion to the smaller breasts. Although the incision lines are vertical instead of horizontal, the post-operative hyperbaric oxygen treatments and red light laser sessions, coupled with Dr. Feng’s precise suturing technique, contribute to the incision lines fading away to barely being visible within one year.
The Procedure
(Explantation)
Breast Implant Removal or Explantation is a highly specific procedure using the en bloc technique. The surgery is typically performed as a result of a rupture (silicone implants), a deflation (saline implants), contracture causing pain (hardening) or unexplained systemic symptoms causing the patient to feel very unwell and fatigued.
The majority of breast implants are placed under the muscle due to a more natural appearance. When the implants are removed however, the pectoralis major muscle must be pulled back together and repaired. This is a critical part of the surgical procedure to prevent a visual deformity in the breasts and also to allow the patient to regain their upper body strength back once they are healed.
Dr. Feng's Philosophy
Dr. Feng’s expertise in breast implant removal and complete capsule removal is distinguished by her decades-long focus on women experiencing systemic symptoms associated with breast implants. She has dedicated much of her career to studying, treating and publishing on patients with complex implant-related health issues. Her meticulous, thorough and comprehensive approach to breast implant removal, capsule removal and muscle repair is performed with exceptional precision while preserving healthy breast tissue.
Dr. Feng’s expertise extends beyond the technical aspects of surgery. She was among one of the first surgeons to investigate the connection between breast implants and systemic health symptoms, often referred to as Breast Implant Illness (BII). This unique focus has allowed her to evaluate patients through a broader medical lens, considering not only the implants themselves, but also immune function, inflammation, methylation deficiencies, genetics, nutrition, and overall health. Patients frequently seek Dr. Feng because of her combination of technical surgical expertise, extensive experience with complex implant cases, and pioneering work in understanding the health concerns associated with the implants. Her unique combination of surgical precision, scientific investigation, and compassionate patient care has made her a trusted choice for women seeking expert explant surgery.
Dr. Feng's Post-Surgery Protocol
Healing time is very important to achieving a problem-free recovery. The faster a patient heals, the better the quality of the scar and the sooner they can resume normal activity. Patients want to minimize their downtime following surgery as much as possible.
The healing time for explant surgery is 2 weeks without the muscle repair and 4 weeks with the muscle repair. Most women go back to work at 2 weeks, but some even sooner as long as their job does not require anything too strenuous. During the first 2 weeks, the greatest risk for bleeding can occur so caution must be taken not to overdo it or move the arms too much.
Beginning in the recovery room immediately following surgery, each patient is given fresh organic berries and spring water instead of crackers and Ginger Ale. At the time of discharge, they receive 1 quart of Dr. Feng’s Signature Salad (contains 13 superfoods) and 1 quart of fresh FengFit® Plant-Based soup to begin their healing journey. Dr. Feng is adamant that proper healing begins with good nutrition and therefore, she developed FengFit® Plant-Based Cuisine in 2011. Today, Dr. Feng’s food is sold in 11 Heinen’s Supermarkets in the Cleveland area.
The first 2 weeks of healing following explant surgery are the most critical. Therefore, Dr. Feng’s standard post-op protocol involves 3 60-minute hyperbaric oxygen sessions beginning the day after surgery. These treatments help to speed up the recovery time and ensure that the patient is seen on a daily basis. Most out-of-state patients plan on being in Cleveland for 1 week from the day of surgery. If the patient is doing a breast lift at the time of the removal, we recommend staying 10 days to allow enough time for the 3 red light treatments that begin the day the breast drains come out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The procedure can take between 2 to 4 hours depending on the size of the implants, whether the muscle needs to be repaired, whether the implants are ruptured and leaking, and how many capsules are present.
Once the implants are removed you have a hollow space in your breasts which can fill up with fluid from the wound site. This would require going back to surgery to drain the seroma. It takes time for the breast tissue that has been compressed for years to fluff back up to its original shape. The breast drains are tiny tubes that help to drain the excess fluid into a drain bulb which you empty. When your drainage output is less than 30cc's for a full 24 hour period, then it is safe to remove the drains.
If you got your breast implants for elective cosmetic reasons and not because you had breast cancer and mastectomy, then typically insurance will not pay for the removal.
I have always said that you get what you pay for. The cost of my explant procedure with muscle repair is between $13,000 - $14,000, depending on the size of the implants, how many capsules, and whether the muscle needs to be repaired.
Not necessarily if all of the implants were in the same plane so there is only 1 capsule.
88% of all patients over the age of 40 require a breast lift at the time of implant and capsule removal. The additional cost is approximately $6,000, making the total cost $19,000 to $20,000.
In order to schedule a surgery with Dr. Feng, we require a deposit of $2,000 which is deducted from the total cost. The balance is due one week prior to your surgery date. We offer both CareCredit and Cherry Financial for patient financing.
She prefers not to do Zoom consultations except in rare occasions. The reason is because she cannot examine the breasts in person to be sure they are under or over the muscle, not contracted, whether a breast lift would be beneficial and she cannot run some of the important tests she does to evaluate patient's healing reserve.
Due to the type of anesthetics we use, it is no problem for several reasons. First and foremost, all of our anesthesiologists are highly experienced board certified doctors, not nurse anesthetists. Next, we don't use anesthetic gas to keep patients asleep. Instead, we have you breathing a combination of oxygen and air. This is much healthier for you than breathing gas. Then through an IV in your arm, you are receiving very fast-acting anesthetics that completely leave your system within 6 minutes after the surgery ends. This allows you to wake up quickly with no nausea and no hangover effect. You are alert and in control of yourself going into the Recovery Room.
Before and After
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Testimonials
“When it comes to explant surgery I think Dr. Feng is the best doctor in the world. She’s done more studies, she’s testified in trials, the whole spectrum of anything to do with explant surgery she’s done it"
Yolanda Hadid (Foster),
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
"Dr Feng, you are an artist and a masterful perfectionist and the best Plastic Surgeon in the world.
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Caroline L.
"Dr. Feng, my deepest appreciation for your amazing skills in restoring my face to a more youthful
version of what I used to look like - you gave me back a piece of myself."
Sara J.
"You are truly a beautiful artist and I love the work you did with my breast lift - absolutely
beautiful."
Sherry R.
"Dr. Feng is World Class amazing and my experience at the clinic was exceptional in every way"
Sue R.
"I traveled from the other side of the world to see Dr. Feng based purely on her reputation and
my experience and results were life-changing - no comparison!
"
Fahda T.
"Thank you for all you do Dr. Feng - you, your staff and your clinic are amazing
"
Angelina B.
"After 3 children I never thought I could have my beautiful figure back, especially without
unsightly scars, but I was wrong - Dr. Feng performs miracles!"
Jackie L.