Breast ALCL

Any surgery comes with some discomfort, but most patients find breast ALCL surgery more tolerable than they expected. Dr. Macias uses techniques that minimize trauma to the surrounding tissue, and pain is well-controlled with medication during the early recovery period. Many women say the peace of mind post-op far outweighs any temporary soreness.

You’ll typically have a pre-operative consultation, your surgery day, and several follow-up visits to ensure a smooth healing process. Dr. Macias and the Aesthetic MdR team closely monitor your recovery progress, and you’ll never feel rushed or left guessing about what’s next. Expect around 3 to 5 visits total, depending on your case.

If implants are removed, you’ll see a visible change immediately, though swelling can blur the final look for a few weeks. If you’re getting new implants placed, your final results will continue to settle over a few months. Either way, the emotional weight lifted is often felt right away. Most women report a sense of relief and confidence returning quickly after surgery.

Absolutely. Many women in the Los Angeles area choose to combine their procedure with a breast lift to enhance contour and achieve a more youthful silhouette. Others may opt to exchange their implants for a different size or material to better align with their current aesthetic goals. For those seeking a more natural look, fat transfer is also a compelling option. During your consultation, Dr. Macias will guide you through each approach, helping you make informed decisions that align with your personal vision and priorities.

Risks include infection, bleeding, and scarring. In rare cases, incomplete capsule removal can leave behind tissue that needs further treatment. Dr. Macias takes these risks seriously and uses advanced techniques to ensure your safety and long-term outcome.

Currently, it is considered that the risk of developing the disease is low, with no need to discourage women from having textured implants. However, it should be noted that in some countries, these implants have been banned as a precautionary measure. If you are considering breast augmentation, it is advised that you choose smooth surface implants rather than textured ones.

This is currently being studied, and data suggests that issues such as bacterial contamination, allergic inflammation, or ongoing tissue irritation related to the implant texture are all theories under investigation.

While the development of the disease cannot be predicted, there are some contributing factors that have been identified, including:

• You have textured implants. There are no reports of the conditions developing in women with smooth surface implants.
• Genetic predisposition: A genetic connection may exist, but this is still being studied. Two published reports suggest that genetics plays a role in the development of the disease.
• Inflammation: It is believed that chronic inflammation, which may be triggered by an allergic response to the implant, bacteria, or another factor, could be a contributing factor in developing ALCL.

If you have concerns about developing ALCL, you can be tested. There are currently no standard screenings for the disease. However, testing can be performed if you are experiencing any symptoms or have general concerns that you may develop the condition in the future. The testing involves extracting a small portion of fluid that has developed around the implant and testing it by an oncologist. If you are not experiencing any symptoms, the FDA does not advise you to have your implants removed, although you always have that option.

To avoid developing ALCL, some women are choosing to take the step to replace textured silicone or saline implants. As the disease has only occurred with textured implants to date, removing and replacing them should resolve any risk. If you have textured implants but have no symptoms of ALCL, it does not mean you must have your implants replaced. If your breast implants are older, they will, at some point, require replacement, and you may choose to have that procedure sooner rather than later.

After a diagnosis, depending upon how far the disease has advanced, various treatments may be required. An oncologist, or cancer specialist, diagnoses the condition to determine the stage of the disease. When the condition is limited to the area around the implants, surgery can be performed to remove the implant and the scar tissue capsule that has developed around it. For more serious cases, cancer treatment is required. Thankfully, most cases are identified early, due to visible or painful symptoms, or both.

The risk of developing ALCL is related strictly to women with textured implants, with no occurrences affecting women with smooth-surface implants. ALCL has been reported in women with either silicone or saline implants that have a textured surface.

Some women with textured implants have concerns about the possibility of developing ALCL and are considering having the implants removed and replaced. Dr. Luis Macias is an Explant Expert who understands patient concerns regarding the removal or replacement of implants. With the condition affecting only one in every 30,000 women, the likelihood of developing the disease is very low. Nonetheless, you may be one of the many women who want to avoid the risk of developing ALCL in the future and elect to have your breast implants replaced with smooth versions.