Re: Capsulectomy vs. En bloc

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

There are cases like your sister's where it's just not possible to

get all of the capsule removed, but it sounds like Dr. Melmed

removed all he safely could remove, and if something was lodged

between her ribs I don't know if en bloc would have made a

difference. I think if part of the capsule was stuck to her ribs,

it probably would have been stuck regardless of what he did. I

believe it's necessary to perform en bloc with both saline and

silicone implants - but my understanding is that en bloc means

removing the capsule and the implant together, and not draining the

contents of the implant prior to removal. If my understanding is

correct, what didn't the doctor do? I think Dede's advice is good -

find out what the pathology report says regarding the capsule.

I'm very glad to hear that your sister is happy with her results.

It can take years to get your health back, so try to encourage your

sister to be patient, to get enough rest, drink alot of water, and

to eat a healthy diet. I got worse after explant and then about six

months later, starting seeing some gradual improvements. However,

it's been 2.5 years for me and I'm far from perfect - but I'm also

not feeling as terrible as I did before explant.

Sis

, " linzlu25 " <linzlu25@...> wrote:

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I have a question about the scar capsule removal. My sister had

> explant 3 weeks ago by Dr. Melmed. She did not have En bloc but

he

> did remove all the scar capsule he said he could safely remove.

He

> said she did not have much scar tissue but what she did have was

> stuck to her ribs.

>

> He said he removed every bit he could safely remove and only a

small

> piece was left on one side. It was lodged at an angle between her

> ribs which he felt was risky to remove. He said it was about the

size

> of a pack of matches.

>

> We got the OR report and it states all scar capsule was removed as

> much as possible.

>

> I want other view points on this. Would En bloc ensured every bit

> would have been removed? I have read conflicting information on

the

> necessity of En bloc vs capsulectomy with smooth saline.

>

> Is his approach regarding the capsulectomy not aggressive enough.

If

> he says it was dangerous to remove that piece could another doctor

> have safely done it? Will leaving that small piece be barrier to

her

> getting well?

>

> She had smooth saline unders. He did and incredible job. She had

> severe bottoming out and only 1/4 of the implant was covered by

her

> muscle. He did such a great job that she looks better now than

she

> did with the implants and he was able to place the scars much

closer

> to the crease so her tissue covers them now.

>

> Her shortness of breath and panic attacks are much much better.

She

> said when she awoke after the surgery she could immediately tell

her

> breathing was better.

>

> However, her fatigue and short term memory loss has gotten a

little

> worse since the explant. Is it normal for some problems to get

worse

> after explant?

>

> Hair loss is also not any better. But she is only 3 weeks post op

so

> hopefully she will continue to improve.

>

> Finally, my last question. I know recovery time varies greatly

from

> woman to woman.

>

> But can some of the more experienced ladies tell me the patterns

and

> variables regarding recovery they may have noticed amongst sick

women

> that have posted?

>

> I have read everything that ranges from some women recovering in a

> few weeks and some taking 4 years and some never recovering.

>

> My explant will most likely be June 5th with Dr. Melmed.

>

> Any info is greatly appreciated.

>

>

>