How Fast Can Capsular Contracture Develop After Breast Augmentation?

asked 2 years ago by Gandy in dallas
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 3,670 times
Tags: breasts, nipples, capsular contracture

I had my breast augmentation surgery 15 days ago and had an allergic reaction to a band aid I used over my nipples because they were too sensitive. Suddenly, I felt my breast really tight. Could I have an internal reaction that is causing the contracture? I have had Anaphylactic shock before. How fast can capsular contracture develop after breast augmentation surgery?

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9 answers to How Fast Can Capsular Contracture Develop After Breast Augmentation?

Early contracture is not the problem

Contracture is not going to present this early. It doesn't meant that it won't present at all, nor does it mean that if the pocket is tight there is a higher incidence of it presenting. All it means is that your implant is larger than the pocket that was made for it so it feels tight. In time, your implants will stretch out the inner tissues and make room. Then you should feel them soften (that can take up to about 3 months). In some patients this is necessary particularly if the size... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Unlikely to have a symptomatic capsular contracture at 15 days following a breast augmentaiton

At 15 days it is very unlikely that you are developing a capsular contracture. Most likely you are experiencing some normal periodic swelling along with potential spasm of the chest wall muscle. Continue with your instructions from your plastic surgeon concerning massage of the implants and give the area more time to soften up. If you started with small breasts and had very tight skin and muscle you are going to experience some early firmness. The reaction that you had with the band aid... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Muscle Spasm vs Capsular Contracture - How to tell.

Sounds like you have muscle spasm and not a Capsular Contracture - this is common and nothing to worry about as it goes away by itself in the first few weeks. Although capsular contractures following breast augmentation can occur just about anytime, most women start having symptoms around three months after their breast implant surgery. This is because it takes some time for a capsule to form and then to scar down (contracture). Therefore it is probably too early at 3 weeks to be... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Capsular contracture

It is unlikley that a capsular contracture will develop in response to an external cutaneous reaction.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Capsular Contracture this early is unlikely

Hello, Early on after breast augmentation muscular spasms can make things feel pretty tight. You want your surgeon following your through this period though because internal bleeding, infection and other "bad things" can also make things tight. Bleeding in there (hematoma) tends to hurt, so it is less likely in your case. Contracture doesn't tend to come into the equation (if it is going to do so) until a month or two at the earliest.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Earliest capsular contraction occurs 6-8 weeks after breast augmentation

The nipple reaction to the band aid is unrelated to firmness of the breast implants. Capsular contraction following breast augmentation with breast implants is a chronic phenomena and occurs late, usually months to years after breast augmentation. I always check my breast implant patients at 6 weeks because that is the earliest I have felt the start of capsular contraction.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Time to relax and breath

It is very normal for the breasts to feel firm two weeks after surgery. This is due to the stretch on the breast tissue and skin. The capsule takes a long time to form and even longer to mature. It's only after it forms that it can develop contracture. Typically this is a year or longer and not a short term phenomenon. So relax and enjoy the new you.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

www.hessplasticsurgery.com

Capsular contracture

It is extremely unlikely to develop a capsular contracture after 2 weeks. Initial firmness can be due to swelling. An early capsule usually does not develop for at least 4-6 weeks, and that is extremely rare.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Capsular contracture

The capsule begins to form within a few days of surgery and contracture can be evident within a few weeks in some cases. Initial firmness can be due to swelling or inadequate pocket dissection rather than true contracture that involves shrinking of the capsule itself. The contrature process is probably unrelated to your bandaid "reaction".