Capsulectomy in Los Angeles

Breast implants bring new levels of confidence to patients, but in some cases, complications with the implant pocket can cause issues down the road. Dr. Teitelbaum’s capsulectomies are tailored to each patient’s unique concerns, ensuring complications are addressed and their breast tissue remains healthy.

What Is a Capsulectomy?

A capsulectomy is a specialized surgical procedure that removes the capsule of scar tissue that naturally forms around breast implants during healing. While this capsule is a normal bodily response to a breast augmentation, it can sometimes become thickened, hardened, or inflamed, leading to comfort or aesthetic concerns.

Why Is a Capsulectomy Performed?

Patients may require a capsulectomy for the following reasons:

Capsular Contracture: This condition occurs when the scar tissue around an implant tightens excessively, causing the breast to feel firm, become painful, or appear distorted. Dr. Teitelbaum recommends a capsulectomy as a primary capsular contracture treatment in Los Angeles.
Implant Rupture: When an implant ruptures, the surrounding capsule may harden, become inflamed, or interact with the leaked material. Typically, a capsulectomy is performed alongside an implant removal to prevent further issues.
Breast Implant Illness (BII): With BII, patients experience symptoms that may or may not be connected to their breast implants. A capsulectomy may be recommended to address these concerns without removing an implant.
Implant Removal: Dr. Teitelbaum performs capsulectomies during implant removals to preserve each patient’s remaining breast tissue. This ensures all scar tissue is removed and the breasts can be easily reshaped.
Chronic Inflammation: Thickened or inflamed scar tissue can cause persistent discomfort, tightness, or restricted movement. A capsulectomy can relieve this pressure and improve the comfort, softness, and mobility of the breast.
Malposition: If scar tissue is contributing to your implant malposition, a capsulectomy may be recommended to improve its position. Typically, this is combined with an implant replacement or breast lift to ensure a balanced appearance.

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Restoring the Health of Your Breasts

Unlike other breast procedures, capsulectomies are primarily done for medical reasons, though they can provide some aesthetic benefits. Patients can expect the following after their capsulectomy:

Relief from tightness, firmness, or discomfort
Removal of scar tissue associated with capsular contracture or implant rupture
Improved positioning of the breast implants
Relief from symptoms of breast implant illness, if applicable
Improved breast softness and shape

Are You a Candidate for a Capsulectomy?

Your candidacy for a capsulectomy will depend on Dr. Teitelbaum’s findings during your consultation. Typically, candidates are experiencing pain, discomfort, or implant-related issues due to excess scar tissue around the implant.

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Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

Dr. Steven Teitelbaum is known in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and beyond as one of the foremost experts in breast surgery, with an outstanding reputation for surgical excellence and patient advocacy. He’s completed breast implant safety research with the FDA and has a deep understanding of breast anatomy and precision techniques for scar tissue removal.

An Elite Education

Prior to opening his private practice in 1995, Dr. Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency at Harvard University, earning dual board certifications in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. In between treating patients, he serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine, reflecting his commitment to uplifting the next generation of surgeons. Over the course of his 30+ year career, Dr. Teitelbaum has given lectures to students and peers on five continents, bringing his advanced surgical skills worldwide. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals like the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he’s earned memberships and leadership positions in the following professional organizations:

Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

Putting Patients First

As a patient, you’ll feel Dr. Teitelbaum’s passion for plastic surgery and thoughtful care from your first consultation to your final follow-up. He and his licensed team, which includes a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, lead with integrity, transparency, and trust every step of the way. They’re here to address your concerns and deliver the results you need, without gimmicks or trendy treatments.

Your Confidential Consultation

To diagnose your breast implant issue and confirm your capsulectomy candidacy, you’ll need a private consultation with Dr. Teitelbaum. There, you’ll discuss your concerns, symptoms, and surgical history, and Dr. Teitelbaum will perform a physical examination of your breasts. In some cases, he may need to perform an ultrasound or X-ray to better evaluate your scar tissue and provide a complete diagnosis.

Pricing Your Procedure

The cost of your capsulectomy in Los Angeles will depend on the following factors:

Surgical complexity and techniques
Whether one or both breasts are being treated
Implant removal or replacement
Additional measures, such as a breast lift, fat grafting, or acellular dermal matrix placement

After your consultation is complete, Dr. Teitelbaum’s team will share a complete cost breakdown and extensive financing options for full transparency.

What to Expect From Your Capsulectomy

Your procedure will be performed under general anesthesia in Dr. Teitelbaum’s private, fully accredited surgical center. During surgery, Dr. Teitelbaum will strategically place incisions in the natural curves of the breast to minimize visible scarring while ensuring full access to the implant capsule. He’ll carefully remove all necessary scar tissue and will continue on to a breast lift, implant replacement, or fat graft if desired.

Gentle, High-Touch Recovery

Recovery after your capsulectomy in Los Angeles will vary depending on the reason behind your procedure and the complexity of your surgery. In general, most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and soreness around the breasts, which should fade within one week. Light walking is encouraged early to promote circulation, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise, including lifting and reaching overhead, for at least six weeks. After your procedure, you’ll receive a customized recovery plan from Dr. Teitelbaum and his team. This will include the following items:

Incision site care and cleaning protocols
Sleep position restrictions
Swelling and pain management strategies
Activity limitations
Hygiene recommendations
Supportive garment guidance

You’ll return to Dr. Teitelbaum’s Los Angeles office several times over the coming months for follow-up visits. There, he’ll monitor your progress, ensuring your scar tissue and implants are healthy, and approve you for high-impact activities when appropriate. It may take several weeks for residual swelling to fade, and your final results will take shape gradually.

Types of Capsulectomy Procedures

Dr. Teitelbaum offers multiple options for your capsulectomy, ensuring your procedure is tailored to your exact needs. He utilizes the following surgical approaches:

Partial Capsulectomy

Here, only a portion of the capsule is removed, leaving some tissue behind, while offering symptom relief when total removal is unnecessary.

Total Capsulectomy

Designed for moderate to severe cases of capsular contracture or implant rupture, this technique removes the entire capsule, ensuring no scar tissue remains to cause symptoms.

En Bloc Capsulectomy

In this specialized technique, the implant and capsule are removed as a single unit, minimizing internal exposure to implant materials in cases of implant rupture or BII.

Completing Your Treatment

In some cases, a capsulectomy may be combined with additional procedures to fully address your concerns or improve the shape of the breasts after tissue removal. These procedures include the following:

Implant removal without replacement
Implant exchange
Breast lift
Fat grafting

Capsulectomy FAQs

Will the results of my capsulecomy be permanent?

Yes. Results after a capsulectomy with and without implant removal are considered permanent, though natural aging, weight fluctuations, and hormonal changes may affect your breast shape over time.

Do I need to remove my implants with a capsulectomy?

No. Implant removal is only recommended in severe cases of capsular contracture, breast implant illness, and implant rupture.

Will my breasts look deflated after a capsulectomy?

A slightly deflated appearance is possible depending on your skin quality, implant size, and tissue stretch. Dr. Teitelbaum can discuss your breast reshaping options during your consultation.

Can I switch my implant type, size, or shape at the same time as a capsulectomy?

Yes. Many patients use a capsulectomy as an opportunity to switch their implant material or choose a smaller implant.

References

SL Spear, M Seruya, MW Clemens, S Teitelbaum, MY Nahabedian. Acellular Dermal Matrix for the Treatment and Prevention of Implant-Associated Breast Deformities. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 127 (3), 1047-1058.
Bengtson, Bradley P., M.D., Teitelbaum, Steven, M.D. Revision Breast Augmentation. Breast Augmentation Video Atlas, Chapter 9, 72-98. 2019.
Tebbetts, John B., M.D.; Teitelbaum, Steven, M.D. High- and Extra-High-Projection Breast Implants: Potential Consequences for Patients. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 126(6):p 2150-2159, December 2010.