An en bloc capsulectomy procedure refers to the removal of an implant and the tissue that has developed around it to improve the patients overall health. This is not a purely cosmetic procedure for many patients. The patient may have to undergo this plastic surgery when the capsule around the breast implant has contracted or the implant has ruptured, in order to remove any problematic tissue.

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides breast implant removal to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding locations.

Meaning of En bloc

The French word en bloc means in a single block or all together as one piece. The en bloc surgery is the procedure of removing the implant along with the scar tissue that has developed around the capsule as one block of tissue. 

In some cases, this may be the ideal plastic surgery procedure because it reduces the chances of rupturing the implant or disrupting the capsule, either of which could result in the risk of silicone gel leakage. The exact surgical procedure undertaken will vary depending on several factors that the surgeon will consider during your consultation. 

Factors to be Taken into Consideration

The following factors should be taken into account: 

• Does the patient have textured silicone gel breast implants, and if yes, of which particular make? 
• The type of incision and the location that could be used (most frequently inframammary incision, or in the crease below the breast) to access the area in the best possible manner.
• Has any portion of the capsule adhered to the surrounding tissues, in addition to the implant, because that may involve the additional risk of trying to separate the tissue from, the underlying ribcage? 

Does the implant need to be replaced? 

This is a personal decision of the patient. However, you need to keep in mind that that even in case of saline implants, the shell is still made of silicone. A large number of women decide to replace silicone with saline, or wish to have their breast appearance restored to their natural size with a customized surgery. If the patient has textured implants, saline or silicone, she may be interested in changing them with new smooth implants.

What is the Duration of the Procedure and Recovery Period?

En bloc capsulectomy can be performed as an outpatient procedure.  The surgery takes about two to three hours. The recovery period for the procedure is usually seven to ten days. However, if your job involves strenuous physical actions, you might need to stay at home a little longer. This will depend on your overall health condition and the kind of strain or stress your job may demand. 

Alternatives to Replace the Implant to Maintain a Shapely Profile

Some of the other options for recontouring the breast or adding volume to it are: 

Breast lift with implant removal

A breast lift may have to be performed if the original breast augmentation surgery has caused the breast tissue to become loose over the years. In this situation, once the implants are removed, the natural breasts may appear saggy with nipples pointing downward. Breast lift surgery may be an ideal procedure in this situation to remove excess breast tissue, and restore a firmer and more youthful breast appearance.

Fat grafting with implant removal

Fat grafting involves using liposuction to collect fat from a donor area of the body, usually, the tummy, thighs or buttocks, cleaning it to separate the fatty tissue from other kinds of tissue, and then injecting it into your breast to enhance its size and shape. There are, however, two pre-conditions for fat grafting: (a) You must have enough fat elsewhere on the body that can be harvested for the procedure; and (b) There must be a suitable location in your breast area that has adequate tissue to inject the fat and support the graft.

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for breast implant removal. 

For More Information

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.

En bloc capsulectomy may be an appropriate surgical technique if you want to remove your breast implants. This plastic surgery has been successfully undertaken for thousands of patients in the past to restore the feeling of the natural softness of the breasts in women. 

This procedure removes an implant along with a part or the entire breast implant capsule after problems from an earlier surgery, or even if the patient desires to extract the implants from her body due to changed cosmetic preferences.

In the en bloc capsulectomy the surgeon takes out the implant and the capsule at the same time, while allowing the breast tissue and muscles to go back to their original position for a more natural look. 

En bloc capsulectomy is often referred to as a total capsulectomy, but they are not really the same procedure. Both the procedures will remove the breast implant and part, or all, of the capsule that surrounds it. 

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides breast implant removal to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding communities. 

Types of Capsulectomy

En Bloc Capsulectomy

En bloc, a French term, means “as a whole”. During this implant removal surgery, the silicone and textured breast implants and its capsule are taken out as a single unit. The surgeon cuts around this unit with the capsule surrounding the implant and removes it carefully with minimal risk of complications or post-operative infection. 

This procedure helps ensure that the silicone gel stays inside the capsule while the implant is being removed. This prevents the leakage of harmful bacteria and any other chemicals inside the body and avoids health complications.

Partial or Total Capsulectomy

Partial capsulectomy or capsulectomy is a plastic surgery that repairs capsular contracture and takes out only a part of the scar tissue. Total capsulectomy, on the other hand, will remove the entire scar tissue, including the ones surrounding the implant beside the lungs and the ribs. Usually, the surgery calls for the surgeon to take out the implants first and then all of the capsule tissue.

Capsulotomy is a surgery that can be done opened or closed. In the open surgery alternative, the capsule is taken out to some extent or completely through an incision within the breast area. In the closed option, the surgeon will break down the tissue of capsule while leaving the implant in place. Unless the surgeon is highly skilled, a closed surgery may have the risk of causing damage to the implant while it is still in the breast tissue. 

Benefits of En Bloc Capsulectomy

This surgical procedure provides a number of benefits for you: 

• You can be more comfortable in your own skin
• You will able to wear bras that are more comfortable
• It restores the natural softness of your breasts
• Improved and streamlined silhouette and form
• Can participate in vigorous activities minus the discomfort
• Better sleeping positions
• Improved and better body image 

Am I a Suitable Candidate for an En Bloc Capsulectomy?

Any woman in good general health who wishes to change her breast implants is an appropriate candidate for en bloc capsulectomy. Some of the reasons why a woman may consider an en bloc capsulectomy procedure are: 

• Not satisfied with the appearance of her breasts

• Shifting and asymmetry of the existing implant
• Complications from having scar tissue around an implant
• Deposits of calcium in the breasts 
• Split or damage to the implant
• Diagnosed with breast cancer 

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.  

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.

One of the most important decisions is to choose the right surgeon for your breast implant removal plastic surgery because this is a more complicated surgery than placing implants. 

If you have previously had an unhappy experience with your breast implants, it is essential that you choose a surgeon who can take out your implants with skill. The surgeon should be able to reduce leakage of silicone or handle any other problems that may arise during the surgery. 

You should begin by locating a surgeon who recognizes that breast implants can cause significant health problems, because those surgeons will be more careful when taking out your implants. It is also vital that your plastic surgeon should be a certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 

Any doctor might call themselves a cosmetic surgeon, but only board certified surgeons will have the necessary skill and training to perform complex procedures such as breast implant removal. The website of the American Board of Plastic Surgery has a list of all board certified surgeons in the US.

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides breast implant removal to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding locations.

En Bloc Removal

The surgeon performing your explant surgery should ideally have adequate experience in en bloc removal procedures. En bloc removal refers to the surgery where the surgeon takes out both the implant and the scar tissue (or capsule) all at once, with the implant still inside the undamaged scar tissue capsule. This is particularly significant if your implants are very old, damaged or filled with silicone gel. 

This surgical procedure makes sure that the silicone and other chemicals stay within the intact scar tissue capsule while it is being removed. En bloc removal stops the leakage of silicone bacteria and other chemicals into the patient’s body. This procedure will require a bigger incision (which usually means a slightly larger scar), but it is worth it because it prevents seepage that can lead to health problems. 

Bear in mind that this plastic surgery cannot be undertaken in all circumstances, and your surgeon will not come to know if the en bloc technique can be performed until you are already in surgery. For instance, en bloc removal may not be possible if your scar tissue capsule is extremely thin or found attached closely to the chest wall. 

Total Capsulectomy

En bloc removal is also sometimes referred to as a total capsulectomy, but they are not exactly identical. A total capsulectomy is not always performed using the specific en bloc technique. 

A total capsulectomy is the removal of the breast implants and all the scar tissue or capsule that forms around a breast implant. However, during a total capsulectomy, the implant is not necessarily removed while still inside the intact scar capsule (which is the en bloc method).

The Final Decision

Once you have chosen an experienced plastic surgeon with the ABPS certification, make a list of all the questions that you need to ask your surgeon. You may ask about how many en bloc or total capsulectomy surgeries they have performed in the past. Check with them if you can speak to one of the surgeon’s patients who has previously undergone had en bloc breast removal procedure. 

You may also request for breast implant removal before and after pictures of the cosmetic surgeon’s earlier patients. Please remember it’s pivotal that you and your surgeon are on the same page, and the surgeon clearly understands your expectations and needs for this surgery.

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.  

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.

Implant Removal And Exchange 

Breast implant removal or exchange plastic surgery may be performed when a woman is unhappy with the results of her primary breast augmentation or when the implant has expired or become damaged.  

But in many cases, women also choose implant removal and exchange in order to downsize or upgrade their existing breast implants. The purpose of this surgery is to restore and enhance breast appearance as well as the patient’s health and comfort.  

Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides breast implant removal and exchange to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding communities.  

Candidacy  

Women who may experience breast implant complications, such as implant rupture, capsular contracture, bottoming out or asymmetry, an implant removal or exchange surgery may be the right procedure to restore aesthetic appearance along with patient comfort. Other candidates may choose this plastic surgery procedure simply because of their changed cosmetic preferences.  

Implant exchange could be an ideal option for candidates who feel that their original breast implants are either too small or too large, or they want to change the shape, texture, or material of the implants. In all cases, the candidate should be in good general health, be prepared to stop smoking as directed by the surgeon, and keep realistic expectations. 

Surgical Procedure 

Breast implant exchange or removal is a major surgery, which may be performed using general anesthesia. The first goal of the surgeon will be to use the same incision sites as the original implantation surgery so that post-surgical scarring gets minimized. After placing the incisions in discreet locations, the surgeon will remove the implant from the breast pocket. 

The scar tissue is also usually removed at the time of implant removal, which could be done with an en bloc implant removal technique or the traditional capsulectomy surgery. As part of the implant exchange surgery, a new implant will be placed in the breast pocket. A new breast pocket may have to be created, depending on the new shape and size of the implant.  

After the implant has been placed in the breast tissue, the surgeon will close the incisions and wrap the breasts in a compression bandage. If the patient has only chosen implant removal, but no exchange, she may need an additional breast lift procedure. It will be performed at the same time with the removal, and will create tighter and firmer breast appearance. 

Recovery 

The patient will be required to wear a special surgical bra for a few weeks to allow the breasts to firm up their new shape. Minor bruising, swelling, and mild pain are expected for the first few days. Prescription pain meds will help to keep the patient comfortable during this phase. Most patients are able to go back to their workplace or return to their regular routine in about 10 days.  

Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for breast implant removal and exchange surgery.  

For More Information

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

• www.drsundin.com
• www.m-body.com
• www.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.com

Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.