Macrotextured breast implants are at the forefront of a recent international medical controversy that has turned political. Some countries, such as France have completely banned the usage of macrotextured breast implants due to their concerns that they can cause a rare form of cancer.

The U.S., on the other hand, is refusing to perform a blanket ban. The FDA states that the current available evidence is inconclusive, and they will instead require women considering breast implants to receive a more strongly worded warning about the potential dangers of the product.

In this blog post, we’re going to look at what a macrotextured breast implant is, why some countries are banning it, and what are the associated risks.

What Is a Macrotextured Breast Implant?

A macrotextured implant is a breast implant that has a textured and irregularly shaped surface. When implanted into the human body, it facilitates adhesion to the surrounding breast tissue and makes it very stable. This helps ensure that it stays precisely where the surgeon put it.

In the hands of an experienced surgeon, a macrotextured implant can help them shape and create a more natural looking breast.

In comparison to other types of implants that have different surfaces, macrotextured implants have a low rate of capsular contraction, rotation, and rippling.

So why are some countries like France banning them? And why hasn’t the U.S. followed suit?

Why Did France Ban the Macrotextured Implants?

On Friday, April 5th of 2019, the country of France banned macrotextured and polyurethane breast implants. The ban extends to several types of textured implants and is the first of its kind in the world.

Since 2011, 59 French women have developed a rare case of cancer called anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). France’s National Agency for Safety of Medicine and Health Products (ANSM) has found that many of those women suffering from the condition had textured implants that are designed to adhere to breast tissue.

It’s hard to say exactly why the French government reacted with such a heavy-handed blanket ban, especially when there isn’t much scientific evidence that links textured breast implants to an increased rate of a rare form of cancer. Many other  regulatory bodies in other countries including the US have looked at the same  data and  decided not to restrict any  implants.

Microtextured vs. Macrotextured Implants

Interestingly enough, France still allows for the sale of microtextured implants. The critical difference between the two is that macrotextured implants have a larger surface pattern and depths than microtextured ones.

Macrotextured implants have also been scientifically shown to adhere better to breast tissue, thereby immobilizing the implant and lessening the chances of it moving around or shifting position after the surgery.

Potential Risks of Breast Implants?

One of the most significant risks for women getting breast implants is the development of a rare form of cancer called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This type of cancer affects the cells of the immune system, and is found in the scar tissue that surrounds the breast implant.  Around 457 women in the U.S. alone have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, and nine of them have died so far.

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is not a form of breast cancer. It’s actually a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or cancer that affects the immune system.

It occurs when a patient’s white blood cells, which are used to fight off infections, start to rapidly multiply out of control.

BIA-ALCL can start to form and build up in the scar tissue that surrounds the implant. It does not form around the implant itself.

Risk and Signs of BIA-ALCL?

BIA-ALCL is a very rare form of cancer that has been associated with textured breast implants. It’s been estimated that the lifetime risk of developing this disease is around 1 in 3,000 and 1 in 120,000 depending on the type of implant. To put that number in perspective, breast cancer affects 1 out of every 8 women in America. BIA-ALCL is much rarer than breast cancer.

If you have textured breast implants, there are a few things you can do to be on the safe side. First off, be sure to keep your scheduled post-operative surgery appointments until your surgeon is satisfied with your healing progress. If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your surgeon immediately:

• Lump
• Change in the shape of the breast
• Pain in the breast area
• Swelling around the breast

Breast Implants in Dallas

If you have any questions about textured implants or would like a second opinion, give Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 or schedule an appointment online. Dr. Adams is a Board-Certified plastic surgeon who will sit down with you and answer any questions you might have regarding your current or new breast implants.

When it comes to breast implant surgeries, sometimes complications will develop.This has nothing to do with the talent or experience of the surgeon, but rather the patient’s own body and immune system.

A common side effect of breast implant surgery is a condition called “capsular contracture.” It can cause distortion, pain, shifting, and hardening of the breast.

We’re going to look at what a capsular contracture is, the reasons behind why it can happen, how it can be avoided, and the various options available to fix it.

What is a Capsular Contracture?

The human body views saline and silicone breast implants as non-natural intruders. As you’re healing up from breast implant surgery, your body sees a foreign object and forms a thin membrane called a capsule around it. This is actually a benefit because it can prevent the implant from moving around the area it was initially placed.

Problems arise when the scar tissue becomes too thick and starts to contract and squeeze the implant. This is what causes pain, shifting of the implant, and hardening of the breast.

How Does it Happen?

There are a few things that can cause capsular contracture to develop after breast implant surgery, and all are related to  the bacterial load around the implant.

A pocket of blood serum within the surgical area can alsopotientiate bacterial growth and the formation of a capsular contracture.

Capsular contractures are graded on a scale called a Baker Scale. There are four levels, with the fourth being the most serious:

Grade 1 – The breast appears normal and soft. The overall capsule is flexible.

Grade 2 – The breast is somewhat hard to the touch, but overall looks normal.

Grade 3 – There is some distortion to the breast, and it’s hard. The breast can also become rounded in appearance and tilted upwards.

Grade 4 – Similar symptoms to Grade 3, but the capsule is much more hardened.

How Can it be Avoided?

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss several placement options. Implants that are placed within muscles are less prone to developing capsular contractures.

Many methods have been described but the only evidence based prevention is a refined surgical technique called the 14 point plan that Dr. Adams developed.

What Can be Done to Fix?

If you have developed a capsular contracture, there are several things your surgeon can do to help alleviate both the pain and the condition. A capsulectomy can be performed which removes the capsule completely. The surgeon might opt to replace the breast implant as well for best chances of success.

Another surgery called a capsulotomy can be performed. In this procedure the scar tissue is sliced open, thereby allowing expansion and decrease in pain and pressure. If surgery isn’t an option or the patient has no desire to undergo the knife, other treatment methods can potentially help.

Prescribed medications, massages, and even ultrasounds might help the stiff capsule relax a bit. If you suffer from capsular contracture or are in pain, it’s best to make an appointment with a surgeon as soon as possible to discuss your concerns and go over all available treatment options.

Breast Implant Surgery Recovery

You can also help lessen the risk of a capsule from forming by keeping a few things in mind while recovering from surgery. For example, quitting smoking can help decrease overall healing times.

For the first few weeks after surgery, try to avoid any strenuous physical activities which could cause the implant to shift. It needs time to settle into its final resting place, so avoid any trauma to the breast area, including heavy exercise.

If you’re having chest wall radiation after your mastectomy, you might want to consider delaying implant surgery until after your treatments have completed.

Capsular Contracture Treatment in Dallas

If you’re suffering from a capsular contracture, experiencing pain or stiffness of the breasts after implant surgery, or think you might be at-risk of developing one, give the offices of Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Adams is a world-renowned breast implant surgeon and can help fix your capsular contracture and get you on the road to recovery.

Breast reconstruction surgery often requires the expansion of the breast muscle and skin using a medical device called a tissue expander. The expander resides in the chest cavity of the patient and is used to expand and stretch the skin and muscle to make enough room for an implant.

In order to stretch the skin and muscle, a nurse practitioner will inject a salt-water solution through the skin and into the expander so that it gradually fills over a few weeks or months. After the skin has been stretched enough, the expander is removed, and the permanent implant is placed.

This was the way breast reconstructive surgery was performed for many years. Women had no choice but to endure the needle pricks into their breast cavity every few weeks. Recently, a new medical device came onto the market that enables the patient to control the expansion process via remote control as well as eliminate the need for needle injections.

The AeroForm Tissue Expander

The AeroForm Tissue Expander was recently approved by the FDA as a replacement for tissue expansion via saline injections. The device resembles the shape of an implant. It contains a CO2 cartridge and a receiver that receives instructions from a remote control. Surgeons will place the AeroForm Tissue Expander into the chest cavity underneath the skin and chest muscle.

After the initial surgery, the patient will be given a small hand-held device that resembles a remote control. On it is a single button. When it comes time to expand the tissue, the patient will press the button on the remote control which will send a wireless signal to the expander inside their chest cavity. The cartridge inside will release a small burst of CO2 which will inflate the implant to a predetermined size. The entire process can be done by the patient in the comfort of their own home and does not require a physical visit to the doctor’s office.

The AeroForm is a great option for those patients who don’t live near their doctors. It should be noted that the doctor will want to see the patient from time to time to ensure that the process is going smoothly, and everything is in order.

AeroForm Vs. Saline

There are several key differences between AeroForm and saline. While individual cases may vary somewhat, the average time that it takes for the AeroForm to work is much less than the saline injections. On average, it can take weeks for the AeroForm to do its job vs. months if the patient received saline injections instead.

The expansion is done by the patient via a hand-held remote control for AeroForm versus needle injections done by the doctor’s office. There are many patients who have to fly to a different state to visit their doctor. This can significantly cut down on the cost of travel as well as the inconvenience.

Pros

The main benefit of the AeroForm system is that no needles are involved. For many breast reconstruction patients, they have had to accept the fact that they will have to return to the doctor’s office over the course of several months and have a nurse practitioner or doctor inject their breast with a needle. They now have a choice to forgo the injections and multiple office visits.

There is also a slight medical benefit as well. Anytime you introduce foreign object through the skin into an expander (the needle) there are risks of deflation, infection, and complications which would require the reconstruction to begin all over again. Because the AeroForm system does not require any injections of saline into the expanders following their initial placement, that lowers the risk of complications.

Another benefit is that the Aeroform expander has been expertly pre-programmed prior to being inserted into the patient. This removes room for human error that could potentially occur when the patient is being given a saline injection with the needle.

Finally, being able to forgo the office visit every few weeks is another benefit that many women find appealing. Being able to expand via a remote control inside their house is preferred to going through the hassle of making their way down to the doctor’s office.

Cons

A slight downside is that with the injections, surgeons can look at the overall situation, adjust the hypothesized amounts of saline if need be – and most importantly, make sure everything is ok. If patients start using the Aeroform device, it would require less visits to the surgeon’s office and that could have negative impacts in cases where complications might arise.

Breast Reconstructive Surgery in Dallas

If you’re considering breast reconstructive surgery and would like to learn more about the AeroForm Tissue Expander, give the offices of Dr. Adams a call at (214) 965-9885. Dr. Adams is a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in reconstructive breast surgery. During your consultation, he will sit down with you and go over your options and answer any questions you might have.

If you’re fit, physically active, and have recently undergone implant surgery, it can be really frustrating to have to wait a few months before you start working out again. As great as the temptation to go back to your regular workout routine is, it’s generally recommended that you allow ample time for your body to heal.

Taking time off from working out will allow your body to heal faster from the breast implant surgery. Now is not the time for “no pain, no gain” as your body needs all its energy to heal up. Waiting until your body is fully healed will help speed the recovery time as well as avoid any potential medical complications.

Most doctors generally recommend at least 2-3 months to fully recover and go back to your normal workout routine. At the bare minimum, they recommend you wait at least 2 weeks until you start light cardio work on a stationary bike. It can take up to 2 months before you can aggressively start lifting weights or doing CrossFit again.

Immediately after the surgery

After the surgery has been successfully completed, the doctors will move you to a recovery area. You’re going to be kept here for anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on how long it takes you to come out of general anesthesia. Sometimes the nurses might give you something to drink like a glass of juice or something small to each like a cracker.

Depending on your tolerance to pain medications, you might feel groggy for a few hours after you leave the surgery center. You might also be in some pain afterwards. Doctors have said that women who have given birth to children prior are generally more tolerant to pain than women who have not.

The first 1-3 days after your surgery can be written off as ‘staying bed and healing’ days. A few hours after you come out of the general anesthesia, you’re probably going to start feeling the first twinges of pain in your chest area. At this point in time you’re most likely going to reach for the bottle of prescription pain killers the doctor gave you. You can kiss the next 6-7 hours goodbye as the powerful pain meds put you to sleep.

What to expect from the recovery

The basic recovery process can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Full and complete recovery can take anywhere from 1-3 months. It all depends on how quickly your body heals. The healing process can be prolonged if you prematurely start to exercise prior to being given the “ok” by your doctor.

For the first few weeks, you may also feel like there is a massive weight on your chest and extreme soreness in your pectoral muscles. Daily activities such as walking, standing up, getting up from a chair, washing your hair, reaching to grab something can all lead to extreme pain as you are using your pectoral muscles in some way or form.

You might also have tubes or drains coming out of your breasts. Medical bras, straps and intense pain sum up what most women go through in the first week or two after the procedure.

Bottom line: it takes weeks to heal up from implant surgery.

24 Hour Rapid Recovery by Dr. Adams

Or so it did until Dr. Adams came out with his “24 Hour Rapid Recovery” implant procedure. In this procedure, 95% of patients are up and proverbially running in as little as 24 hours. Dr. Adams has refined several innovative techniques that minimize tissue damage and as such there is very little post-operative pain. One of Dr. Adams recent patients created a home movie about her experience and she was literally back in the gym working out just two weeks after the surgery.

Dr. Adams has over 15 years of experience and is a National Expert in breast augmentation. He is published in various medical journals and has created educational curriculum for aspiring breast implant surgeons to learn how to do implant surgery better.

When it comes to breast implants, you get what you pay for. If you visit a cut-rate implant doctor, you’re going to get cut-rate work which could lead to dissatisfaction on your part and potentially another implant operation to fix what you don’t like. A good portion of the patients that Dr. Adams sees were not satisfied with the work done by their previous surgeon.

One of the biggest contributing factors to patient satisfaction is undergoing a proper consultation prior to surgery. Dr. Adams listens to the wants and needs of the patient and then advises them on the best route forward that would lead to their satisfaction. Matching the implant to the tissue quality and dimensions of each patient contributes significantly to their overall satisfaction with the end results.

Patient satisfaction

There have been many peer-reviewed medical studies which show the reoperation rate for women who have breast implants hovers right around 15-23%. That is extremely high and due in part to the plethora of ‘coupon code’ surgeons out there who are only in it for the money. Their mission is to get women on the operating table and a check in their bank accounts. They sometimes fail to warn their patients about getting the wrong implant size. This leads to a high rate of dissatisfaction amongst a good portion of their patients. Dr. Adams published re-operation rate is only 3%, which is a mere fraction of the overall average.

Patients who have undergone Dr. Adams 24 hour Rapid Recovery process are amazed at how great they feel just hours after the surgery. No prescription pain killers (except for over-the-counter Motrin) are required and that means you won’t be stuck in bed or on the couch in complete pain, feeling like a piece of Jell-O from the pain meds.

Do you still have questions about implant surgery and how it could affect your daily work-out routine? Give us a call or contact us to learn more about working out and Dr. Adams 24 Hour Rapid Recovery process.