AlloClae (alloClae™) can be an excellent option for many patients after explant surgery, especially for those who do not have much fat or want to avoid more surgeries, such as liposuction. Many of our patients come in for a consultation after looking for a more natural approach to breast enhancement or regenerative restoration after their explant surgery.
Many patients who have had breast explant surgery are moving away from traditional breast implants. Sometimes it’s a lifestyle change, sometimes personal preference, and sometimes patients simply want a more natural look and feel. After implant removal, the conversation usually shifts toward how we restore shape, volume, and softness to the breast without the use of traditional breast implants.
Historically, the only options for patients after a breast explant were fat transfer to the breast or not having any breast enhancement treatments after removal. Fat transfer can be a great option, but it does have limitations, such as the amount of available fat for transfer and the need for liposuction. Some patients do not have enough fat for liposuction (to harvest for fat transfer), while others may have already had fat transfer and didn’t achieve the results they were hoping for. Fat transfer, in most instances, requires multiple treatments, but varies depending on the amount of enhancement the patient wants to achieve.
AlloClae has become a staple in our practice for patients who have breast explant procedures. There are several options at Austin Plastic Surgeon for AlloClae to be used to treat patients after breast explant surgery. The first option is for AlloClae to be done at the time of breast explant, to create some shape and volume to the breast immediately after breast implant removal. The second is for AlloClae to be done in combination with fat transfer. Third, we see patients who have had a previous breast implant removal and possibly fat transfer, but still need more volume in the breast to achieve the shape they desire.
Understanding the Breast After Explant Surgery
During breast explant surgery, the implant itself is removed, and in many cases, the capsule (the scar tissue surrounding the implant) is either partially or completely removed as well.
Once the implant and capsule are removed, the patient will have decided if they want to wait and see the resulting shape or explore regenerative options such as fat transfer or AlloClae. While fat transfer can often be performed at the time of explant surgery, the available space for grafting can be limited. Fat grafting works best when it’s placed into healthy tissue planes, and that can sometimes be challenging immediately after explant surgery.
Because of this, many patients require multiple rounds of fat transfer to achieve the fullness they previously had with implants. Depending on the size of the breast implant, it may not be possible with current methods to reach the previous size of their breast when they had implants. The challenge is two-fold: most patients do not want multiple surgeries, and there may be a limit to the amount of fat available for the breast enhancement procedure.
AlloClae offers a new option for breast restoration after explant surgery. It gives many of our patients at Austin Plastic Surgeon options when many of our patients feel like they didn’t have any in the past. AlloClae is a processed donor fat product that can be injected into the breast to create natural structural volume for the breast.
Because it does not require liposuction or fat harvesting, it is often performed as an in-office procedure with minimal downtime.
This makes it particularly attractive for patients who:
- Do not have enough fat for fat transfer
- Do not want additional liposuction procedures
- Want to avoid placing another breast implant
- Prefer a natural, regenerative approach to breast enhancement after their breast implant removal.
For many patients, AlloClae allows us to restore subtle volume and shape without another surgery. This is extremely helpful when patients have a significant amount of scar tissue in their breast after implant removal. AlloClae allows for the slow expansion of the breast in these situations to slowly expand and shape the breast with an office procedure.
When breast implants and capsules are removed, some patients may develop areas of tightness, fibrosis, or irregular contour within the breast. These areas of scar tissue can sometimes cause:
- Breast firmness
- Irregular shape
- Restricted tissue movement
- Discomfort in certain areas
Because AlloClae is injected into the breast tissue, it can help soften and release restrictive areas, improving the overall feel and appearance of the breast. This can be used as the mainstay of treatment or used to prepare the breast for fat transfer. In these situations, AlloClae is not just restoring volume to the breast; it may also help improve the quality and shape of the breast tissue itself.
One of the biggest advantages of AlloClae is that it can be performed in a series of treatments. Rather than undergoing multiple surgical fat transfer procedures, patients can gradually build volume and refine shape over time. This approach allows us to tailor the treatment to each individual patient’s anatomy and goals.
Can AlloClae Be Done at the Time of Explant Surgery?
AlloClae can be injected at the time of explant surgery. This simplifies the procedure as no liposuction needs to be performed, and it adds some shape to the breast. However, it can also be performed months or even years after implant removal.
This flexibility allows patients to decide when and how they want to restore their breast shape.
Some patients choose AlloClae to:
- Restore lost volume after implant removal
- Improve breast contour
- Address scar tissue and fibrosis
- Create a subtle, natural breast enhancement
A Regenerative Restoration for Breast Enhancement
For many patients, AlloClae is exciting in that it offers a regenerative, implant-free option for breast enhancement.
Many patients today are looking for procedures that fit their busy lifestyles. Treatments that involve less downtime, fewer surgeries, and more natural outcomes will continue to be paramount to the evolution of breast enhancement procedures.
AlloClae represents an evolution in breast restoration after explant surgery. It allows patients to restore shape and softness without the need for additional implants or multiple rounds of fat transfer.
AlloClae was added as an option for our patients after breast implant removal, when many of them didn’t have any options previously. It can be used to restore lost volume, improve breast shape, soften scar tissue, and create a natural aesthetic result for patients wanting to avoid breast implants.
For patients who want to avoid additional surgeries, don’t have enough fat for transfer, or simply prefer a regenerative approach, AlloClae provides an option that many patients didn’t have previously.