Breast Capsular Contracture Treatment: What It Is and How It’s Treated

Breast implants carry risks and complications that should be considered if you’ve had one or are considering one. After all, implants are not free of the potential of any type of complication such as breast augmentation capsular contracture. In this comprehensive article, let’s discuss capsular contracture and how it can treated.

What is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture is when the scar tissue naturally forms around a breast implant tightens and becomes usually hard. The formation of the capsule is the body’s natural response to the presence of a foreign body. It is a natural and acceptable part of the breast augmentation process and is usually harmless.

However, the problem occurs when the capsule hardens and squeezes the breast implants. As a result of this squeezing, the breast may feel painful and hard. Sometimes, breast augmentation capsular contracture can distort the encapsulated breast implant and make it shift upward on the chest. This condition can also cause chronic pain.

Who is at Risk of Developing Capsular Contracture?

If you’ve had radiation therapy at any time in the past and even had it after your breast reconstruction surgery. Then, it can highly likely increase your risk of developing capsular contracture. The reason is that some people develop capsular contracture while others may not.

Let’s discuss in detail some of the factors that may increase the risk of developing capsular contracture, such as:

• Breast implant rupture
• A genetic disorder
• Unknown infection
• Hematoma or seroma

When Does Capsular Contracture Occur?

When patients hear about capsular contracture, one of the first things that comes to their mind is how soon this condition is likely to occur. The simple truth is that this condition can develop at any point in time after having breast augmentation surgery. Developing such conditions depends on what type of implant you have and how well your body responds to the surgery. However, there are three times when this condition is most likely to occur.

• Healing Process

Sometimes there are chances that this condition may develop during the healing process. This time period is between the first four to six weeks after your breast augmentation surgery. When you develop this condition while recovering from surgery, it indicates that your body is not compatible with the implants and may cause serious problems later

• Early Stage

Most cases of breast augmentation capsular contracture are likely to occur within the first two years of your surgery. In fact, 75% of the cases usually occur within two years of timeframe. This is generally the time when all the scar tissue associated with the surgery finishes the internal healing process.

• Late Stage

Late development of capsular contracture is more common after 10-15 years. Depending on the type of implants you have, late development indicates that your implants have begun to break down or have been damaged due to some reasons. 

Capsular Contracture Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of this condition may take months or years to notice. There are no obvious signs associated with such conditions. Thus, let’s check out some of the common symptoms of this condition which include,

• Tightness of the breast
• Discomfort while lying down
• Rippling implants
• Misshapen with breast implants
• Firmness of breast

What are the Problems Capsular Contracture Causes?

 Breast augmentation capsular contracture can cause a variety of breast issues such as:

• Decreased breast size
• Distortion of the breast shape
• Breast pain or discomfort
• Hardening of the breast
• Implant palpability
• Rising of implants towards an upward direction after the surgery

Does Capsular Contracture Need Treatment?

The treatment for breast implant breast capsular contracture treatment depends on the level of severity. This breast capsular contracture is classified into four grades such as:

In the early stages around grade 2 of breast capsular contracture treatment, regular monitoring and observation are sufficient. There is a need for treatment around grades 3 and 4 where you can see the changes in terms of shape, volume, and size of the breasts.

How can Capsular Contracture can be Treated?

Capsular contracture revision surgeries are necessary for many patients. This will help avoid the risk of returning even after treatment due to the underlying scar tissue formation process in some patients. The surgical options for breast capsular contracture treatment are:

• Capsulectomy & Implant Exchange:

In a capsulectomy and exchange of implant, the most commonly performed procedure is to treat breast augmentation capsular contracture. The surgeon removes the thick scarring tissue of the capsule and replaces the implants with new ones. A breast uplift is important if you experience saggy breasts after a certain age. This surgery will help lift the nipples and give your breast, a perfect and desired shape.

• Capsulotomy:

In this surgery, your surgeon cuts the thick scar tissue capsule and releases the pressure around the implants.

• Capsulectomy and implant removal:

In some cases, women want to remove the breast implants and capsules completely and live without them.

Tips to Prevent Capsular Contracture

Preventing capsular contracture is extremely crucial if you want to have a successful breast augmentation surgery. Here are some key tips or strategies that you can follow to reduce your risk of developing breast capsular contracture treatment:

1. Choose the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon is the first and most important step in preventing breast augmentation capsular contracture. You should look for a board-certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in breast augmentation or reconstruction surgeries. Before short listing them make sure to check their credentials and read reviews from the previous patients.

A skilled surgeon will be able to minimize the risk of complications and ensure that your implants are placed in the right place.

1. Follow Post-Operative Care Instructions

Following the post-operative care instructions is crucial to prevent capsular contracture. This will make your recovery more faster and smoother. You should avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or exercise right after surgery. Try to wear a supportive bra and avoid sleeping on your stomach to avoid unnecessary pressure on your breasts. Furthermore, make sure to attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon to ensure that your recovery is going well.

1. Focus on Regular Massage

Regular massage is an effective way to prevent breast capsular contracture treatment. Massaging your breasts can help keep your breast implant pocket open, prevent scar tissue from forming, and reduce the risk of implant hardening. You can start massaging your breast a few days after your surgery and continue for six months. Your surgeon will guide you accordingly to massage your breast correctly.

Conclusion

All in all, breast augmentation capsular contracture is a potential complication of breast augmentation surgery that can cause discomfort, pain, and asymmetry if it is left untreated. Understanding its causes, early signs, and level of severity at every stage can help make timely interventions. Focusing on effective treatments can also do miracles and help prevent such unnecessary discomfort and pain. Following the given tips can assist you in minimizing the risk of capsular contracture.

If you’re having some doubts and want to take advice from a professional, then you can consider connecting with Aspenaftersurgery today.