Dr. Oya has extensive experience in performing en bloc implant removal.
En bloc, total capsulectomy summary: Dr. Oya at Strandkliniken is an experienced plastic surgeon specialising in en bloc total capsulectomy, where the implant and its capsule are removed in a “block”. She has successfully completed this procedure on nearly 500 patients (as of February 2023). Strandkliniken, a reference clinic for this operation, uses the latest ultrasound system from Siemens for implant examinations, in accordance with the American FDA’s recommendations. If you are concerned about your breast implants and for ‘Breast Implant Illness’, Dr. Oya is available to provide advice and assistance based on her extensive experience and deep understanding of these concerns. Strandkliniken offers a fixed price for “en bloc” surgery.
Dr. Oya possesses extensive experience in performing en bloc, total capsulectomy, a method that involves removing the implant along with its capsule in a single piece. This means that the capsule, with the implant still inside, is extracted in a cohesive “block”. Strandkliniken has established itself as a reference clinic for this procedure.
As of February 2023, Dr. Oya had successfully performed en bloc implant extraction on nearly 500 patients.
When clinics advertise services for implant extraction, it is important to carefully ask whether they also remove the capsule, and what this would cost. These are two distinct operations – removing the implant is one thing, removing it along with the capsule in a “block” is another. It requires a particularly skilled surgeon to perform an “EN BLOC, TOTAL CAPSULECTOMY”, where ALL capsule tissue is removed during implant extraction. Unfortunately, not all surgeons have this competence, but Dr. Oya has extensive experience in this type of surgery.
What happens if only the implant is removed and the capsule is left behind? When a breast implant is removed and the capsule is left in place, the body has the opportunity to begin breaking down and absorbing parts of the capsule. This process varies between patients and can take different lengths of time, months, years. However, it is possible that not all capsule tissue breaks down and is absorbed, and in these cases, remaining tissue can cause discomfort, such as pain or aesthetic problems.
During Ultrasound examination, Dr. Oya follows the American Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendations for implant examinations. Strandkliniken has an advanced ultrasound system from Siemens that delivers high-resolution images and detailed information about the implant.
Are you concerned about your breast implants and the potential risk of ‘Breast Implant Illness’? You are not alone. A large number of women experience symptoms that can be linked to their implants, which has recently received increased media attention. At Strandkliniken, Dr. Oya, a woman with extensive experience and deep understanding of your concerns, is available. She specialises in ‘en bloc’, a technique where the implant and its surrounding tissue are removed in a cohesive piece.
Dr. Oya explains: Hello, I am Dr. Oya, an experienced and knowledgeable plastic surgeon, and I would like to explain the difference between “total capsulectomy” and “en bloc capsulectomy”, two techniques I use in the removal of breast implants:
Total capsulectomy: During a total capsulectomy, I aim to remove the entire capsule, but not necessarily together with the implant in one piece. I first remove the implant and then the capsule. This technique can be less technically demanding and potentially safer in certain situations, such as when the capsule is thin and closely attached to the chest wall or lungs.
En Bloc capsulectomy: During an en bloc capsulectomy, I aim to remove the implant and the entire surrounding capsule as a single piece. The purpose of this procedure is to minimise the risk of contamination from the contents of the implant or the inside of the capsule. It is a more complex procedure that requires experience and skill. It may not always be possible, depending on the specific situation of the patient. A less skilled surgeon or plastic surgeon may not be able to perform this procedure and should not attempt it.
As your plastic surgeon, Dr. Oya, I want to convey how important it is for me that you feel heard and understood throughout the process. I am fully aware that breast implants carry risks, just like any medical procedure, and I am here to help you understand these risks and make informed decisions about your health.
Remember, you are unique – your body, your experiences, your health and your concerns are all unique to you. That’s why it’s important for me to take your experiences and concerns seriously, and to tailor your care to your specific needs and wishes. I value your voice and your experience, and I am here to support you through every step of your medical treatment. Some clinics and plastic surgeons do not take sufficient account of women’s fear and concern about potential health risks with breast implants. It may seem that they dismiss the concerns that women have and that can have a real impact on their quality of life.
Why choose En Bloc removal?
En Bloc removal is considered the most comprehensive option for removing breast implants. It is particularly recommended when:
There are suspicions of implant rupture There are symptoms of illness related to breast implants (BII) There is a diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) For peace of mind knowing that all implant material has been thoroughly removed.
Images of broken Implants removed by Dr. Oya can be found at the end of this webpage. ” Link to Sveriges Radio, Breast implant Illness – https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/cecilia-tog-ur-sina-brostimplantat-fick-livet-tillbaka
” Link to Sveriges Radio – the program “My breast implants made me sick”: https://sverigesradio.se/avsnitt/1566257
NOTE – Recall of Allergan breast implants – (Strandkliniken has always only used Mentor Breast Implants). 1 June 2020.
1 June 2020: To protect individuals from the increased risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), associated with Allergan BIOCELL textured breast implants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that Allergan recall its BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders.
For more detailed information on risks and safety aspects related to breast implants, including BIA-ALCL and BII, read our guide on breast implant safety.
Removal of breast implants – Implants should be replaced.
There are several different options when it comes to implant removal. Which method suits you is something you and Dr. Oya will go through during your consultation. Below you can read more about the different methods.
Things to Consider
Breast augmentation can cause sagging, changes to the rib cage, and even changes to the nipple. Correction of these changes is not included in implant removal, en bloc and explantation. Implant removal only means the removal of the implant itself and the implant and capsule.
If you wish to correct any of these changes or anything else in connection with the removal, there will be an additional cost for this. Write down your thoughts and questions and take them with you to the consultation.
Capsule
The scar tissue that naturally forms around foreign objects placed inside the body. Any objects that are not naturally inside the body, such as a splint, knee prosthesis or breast implant, will cause the formation of a layer of scar tissue, or capsule around the foreign body. When discussing breast implants, the capsule is the layer of scar tissue that forms around the breast implant.
Simple removal of breast implants
Simple breast implant removal involves an incision down to and through the implant capsule to remove the unwanted breast implant. During this operation, the capsule is left in place and is not removed. The capsule then shrinks in size and can sometimes partially break down.
Breast implant removal and partial capsulectomy
A partial capsulectomy is performed when, in addition to breast implant removal, small parts of the capsule are also removed. Areas of capsule removal are often used to treat capsular contracture or to provide a tissue sample for pathological evaluation. Similar to simple breast implant removal, the remaining capsule will later shrink in size or can sometimes partially break down.
Removal of breast implants and total capsulectomy
A total capsulectomy is performed when the entire capsule is removed after the removal of the breast implant. In this case, I usually dissect the superficial surface of the capsule, open the capsule and remove the breast implant, and then continue the dissection of the deep surface of the capsule. The entire capsule is removed either in one piece or several pieces, depending on how easy the operation is, and is thus called a total capsulectomy.
Breast implant removal and en bloc capsulectomy
An en bloc capsulectomy is performed when the capsule is removed in one piece with the breast implant inside the capsule. However, it is not possible to guarantee en bloc removal of breast implants, especially when the breast implants have been placed under the pectoralis muscle. When implants are placed under the muscle, it can sometimes be difficult, if not impossible, to remove a breast implant with en bloc capsulectomy because the capsule behind is attached to the ribs and intercostal muscles.
The goal is always to perform en bloc, however without exposing the patient to life-threatening risks.
Documentation
After the operation, Dr. Oya will show the implant with the capsule.
Complaints
About a Broken Implant The modern implants produced today are of very high quality, but the durability of breast implants can vary. If an implant is broken, most implant manufacturers offer warranties. Find out what applies to your implants, how to proceed, and what is required and needed, well in time before your operation. We need to know this when we show the implants after the operation.
Analysis
When removing implants, there are a number of analyses that can be performed. Dr. Oya only sends the capsule for analysis if she discovers deviations that she believes should be analysed to exclude tumours or if the patient wishes.
The cost of the analyses is borne by the patient.
The cost for analysis varies depending on the type of analysis desired and its scope. An example is the cost for BIA-ALCL, where the price at the time of writing (August 2021) starts at 10,000 SEK per capsule.
The cost is paid in conjunction with the operation. The amount is adjusted upwards or downwards when we know the actual cost. A copy of the invoice will be sent as soon as we have received it.
All patients at Strandkliniken have Mentor implants.
Dr. Oya has never used implants from any brand other than Mentor at Strandkliniken.
