Are you a board certified Plastic Surgeon?
Yes. This is the most important question you can ask your surgeon. To obtain board certification in plastic surgery you are required to complete at least six years of plastic surgery training and pass extensive written and oral exams. Dr. Polsen is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Do you have hospital privileges?
Yes. Dr. Polsen has hospital privileges at Houston Methodist Clear Lake. Dr. Polsen has carefully chosen to utilize this hospital as his plan of care should a patient need to be admitted.
Where will my surgery be performed? Is the surgical facility accredited?
Dr. Polsen’s office is headquartered at South Shore Surgicenter, a AAAHC certified Ambulatory Surgical Center. This facility is held to the highest credentialed standards and meets the strict requirements of any hospital operating room. South Shore Surgicenter’s exceptional environment poses the lowest risk for exposure to infection while providing patients with an exceptionally comfortable and private atmosphere throughout your entire surgical experience.
Have you performed En Bloc/Total Capsulectomy surgery?
Dr. Polsen has years of experience removing implants and always performs total capsulectomy and En Bloc when possible on a case to case basis. It is important to understand how some bodies will form capsules differently and how this effects the removal process. Dr. Polsen takes the time to educate each patient on what can be expected. He is currently performing multiple explant surgeries per week.
How long will my surgery take?
You can expect your explant surgery to last about two hours. If you are adding a lift, it will approximately double the time.
What kind of anesthesia will I have?
You will be under general anesthesia(completely asleep). Dr. Polsen has been working with the same Board Certified Anesthesiologists for years and can assure you that you are in the most excellent care.
Are you familiar with Breast Implant Associate Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?
BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer but is a cancer associated with breast implants. It is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL will present in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body. Fluid found around the implant can be tested for CD30 to rule out ALCL. An individual’s risk of developing BIA-ALCL is considered to be very low; however, this cancer can be treated successfully with surgery to remove the implant and surrounding scar tissue (capsule). Dr. Polsen has studied BIA-ALCL and is currently running an ongoing study following his patients presenting symptoms of breast implant illness.
Does Dr. Polsen believe in Breast Implant Illness?
BIA-ALCL is a serious life-threatening cancer. Although it is rare that you will test positive for this cancer, Dr. Polsen is engaging in a case study following each of his patients and their symptoms. He is able to investigate the major trends and overall progress in healing after the implants are removed.
What testing will be done on the implants/capsules? What is done with the implants and capsules after testing?
Every capsule is tested for cancerous tumor cells. Capsules may also be tested for CD30 upon request if a patient is concerned about BIA-ALCL.
Will I need antibiotics?
Yes, Dr. Polsen prescribes oral antibiotics to be taken after surgery, as well as intravenous antibiotics that are given the in morning, directly prior to surgery. Dr. Polsen prescribes antibiotics for all of his surgical patients to lower the risk of infection associated with surgery and surgical healing.
Do you use surgical drains?
Yes, one drain is placed in each breast to ensure any accumulation of fluid is removed from the breast pocket. This also allows Dr. Polsen to monitor for bleeding, which otherwise may not be apparent.
Can my insurance help pay for this?
Our expert billing team will do their very best to maximize any potential insurance benefits. Please call for a detailed analysis of how your insurance could help pay for your surgery.
What kind of scar should I expect?
Scar healing is unique from patient to patient. Most commonly, an incision is made in the inframammary crease where the implant and capsule are then removed. This is typically the same scar that remains from when the implants were placed. The incision leaves a small horizontal scar that is about 4 inches in length.
What should I expect for recovery?
Every individual has a different rate of recovery. Most people experience discomfort for the first few days. Pain is unique from person to person, so you may experience more or less than average. You will have a drain in each breast as described above, that will require monitoring and emptying. You will be wrapped in a sterile surgical dressing that will be removed and reapplied the day following surgery. At this time, our nursing staff will teach you how to properly care for your incisions. Most patients are well-healed by 2 weeks, and released for normal activity within a month.
Do you take photos of the implants and capsules?
Yes. Photos are taken of the capsules as well as the implants.
Will you perform a muscle repair during surgery?
Dr. Polsen will evaluate each patient’s situation, and if it is needed, he will perform a muscle repair.