Breast Implant Revision: Q&A

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Can I Beat CC with Newer Treatment Options?

Original BA Aug'10, redo of left side 3 weeks later due to seroma & included drain. The left breast is smaller and aches, I know I have CC. After months of promises of a redo, PS states "no solution" saying it will get worse. Now I'm left searching for a specialist in revisions. My question is, am I a lost cause or is there hope? What new treatment options are available for CC and where can I find a trustworthy PS who wont lead me on only to let me down?! I'm ready to give up padded bras forever

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by 7107anon in Texas

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Newer Treatment Options for Recurrent Scarring around Breast Implants

Truly sorry for what you are going through. The problem with enthusiastic "Newer Treatment Options" is that for the most part they are only hype and will let you down. I believe patient should NOT be patronized and sold a bill of goods the way they often are at the cosmetics counter where dreams are sold but never delivered. Instead, you should be educayted by your surgeon as to the process, to the available options and be told the likelihood of success BEFORE embarking on one of... more

Non-surgical treatment of capsular contracture only works early

Non-surgical treatment of capsular contracture only works early on in the process. Accolate will halt and sometimes reverse the process. However, it rarely works effectively this late after surgery. This type of capsular contracture will likely require removal of the breast capsule (capsulectomy). Placement of Alloderm may help it from recurring again.

Solution for capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery

Hi, I'm sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately, CC is a complication associated with implants placed above the muscle. The risk is much lower under the muscle, but can still occur. The best thing to do is to remove the implant and the capsule. Since you had a drain in the past, I would make sure there is no infection present before considering placement of new implant. If original implant was under the muscle (and there is no infection), then you would have to wait a... more

Newest treatment for capsular contracture after breast augmentation

Capsular contracture can in some cases respond to oral medication such as Singular or Accolate. These are designed to inhibit smooth muscle contraction and are otherwise used for treating asthma. Surgical release also works well but here is alway a chance for recurrence. Biologic membranes such as Strattice or Veritas can be surgically placed around the implant and this seems to inhibit capsular contraction very well. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has a lot... more

Strattice or Alloderm for capsular contracture

Acellular dermal matrix materials such as Strattice or Alloderm have been very effective in my experience in preventing recurrence of capsular contracture. The usual approach is to remove the scar capsule (capsulectomy) and replace the implant. Because the capsulectomy may leave the tissue thin, the Strattice also serves to replace the tissue and add support to the pocket.

Treatment of unilateral capsular contracture

The presence of capsular contracture in the one breast that required revision shortly after your original procedure suggests that the process is most likely related to your original surger(ies). There are several good treatment options available, depending upon a more detailed history and physical exam. With proper care you should have a good chance for success following a revision, and nothing you have stated suggests that you are a "lost cause". I would... more

CC in breast

More details and of course an exam would be essential to outline a plan. But having a CC means that you may be at risk to develop it again. If it is the first time for a patient,. I usually consider an implant exchange and removal of the capsule( as best as possible), and sometimes a pocket change. Other options include also using Strattice, but that can be rather expensive and I would consider that in a repeat event.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Fat grafting may be an option

Without all the details about your procedure; sub glandular or sub muscular, the thickness of your tissues, the degree of capsular contracture etc., it's not possible to make definitive recommendations. You may be a candidate for a straightforward capsulectomy and implant exchange. Though there is a higher risk of recurrence, it's usually worth keeping it simple initially in my opinion. Alloderm etc add significant expense to these procedures. If you have mild capsular... more

Treatment Of Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture does have a high recurrence rate. Since your contracture is unilateral, it may be related to the seroma. You didn't mention the location of your original of your original implant placement, but they should be moved under the muscle if initially placed above it. I agree with Dr. Beraka that AlloDerm would be beneficial as well.

Alloderm can help prevent capsular contracture.

Hi, I recommend finding a plastic surgeon who uses Alloderm tissue matrix in revision breast augmentation. It is quite effective. see video

Capsular contracture

You are far from a lost cause. I don't see in your question any information on your implants. They should be a smooth surface and also submuscular, probably a dual plane placement. It sounds like you will need a full or maybe a partial removal of your capsule. I would anticipate good results. Sometimes, and you and your surgeon should discuss this, it is best to remove the implant for at least 3 months and start fresh.

Capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery

There is a small percentage of developing capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery. There are many variables that have to take into consideration when discussing about options of management of capsular contractures. Most importantly, thorough examination of your breast is critical, assessing the skin breast envelop quality, the amount of breast tissues you have, any laxitity of tissues, implant placement on top or behind the muscle, the severity/grading of breast capsular... more

Capsular contracture

Capsular contracture is an incompletely-understood phenomenon. There are statistics related to its prevalence and how the risks are affected by type, size and position of implant as well as ethnicity and post-operative complications like hematoma and infection but why exactly it occurs in some and not in others is not definitively predicable. Therefore, your risk of CC will always be present in varying degree. The least risk is in using saline implants, under the pectoralis muscle, using a... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant capsular contrcture treatment options

All breast augmentation patients normally form a scar capsule around their implants. In a small precentage of patients these capsules can shrink or contract over time. If a capsular contracture occurs it can cause the breast to feel firm or even hard. The contracture can also displace the implant from it's ideal position. Initially, nonsurgical methods can be tried to help prevent or improve a capsular contracture. Early in the... more