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Breast Augmentation Revision Recovery Due to Capsular Contracture

asked 2 years ago by 7450anon in San Diego
Latest answer by Armando Soto, MD
Question viewed 1,925 times
Tags: capsular contracture, recovery

I'm having breast augmentation revision surgery due to capsular contracture on both sides. I'm having capsulectomy on both sides and having new implants moved from subglandular to subpectoral. I am also getting larger implants. What is the recovery time for this surgery? Or has anyone undergone this process and how was the recovery/outcome?

18 answers to Breast Augmentation Revision Recovery Due to Capsular Contracture

+1

Recovery for revision breast augmentation

Hi there- Because your recovery will depend on many variables, including the exact details of the planned procedure, your best bet is to ask your surgeon what they would expect your recovery to be given their better understanding of the surgery scheduled. I would agree that the recovery will probably be a bit more difficult than your initial procedure.
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Worse recovery

Your recovery will most likely be worse than your first surgery due to the submuscular placement of the new implant and the fact that your old capsule will be removed, I believe the whole capsule needs to be removed if possible due to the most likely cause of capsular contracture: subclinical infection. After the surgery everybody recovers in a different way, you have an idea about how you recover from the first surgery but remember this will most likely be worse. Good luck more
Victor Manuel Perez, MD

Kansas City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after after revision breast augmentation surgery

Great question. Your recovery will be easier than expected and it likely relates to the fact that your skin and breast tissue have already been operated on and stretched by the implant. The plane change from subglandular to subpectoral will cause some discomfort as well the capsulectomy will too, but it will be easier the second and hopefully the last time around. I hope this helps. Dr. Trussler
Andrew P. Trussler, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery from breast augmentation

Recovery from breast augmenetation varies from patient to patient.  I usually tell patients that they can go back to work within a week after surgery.  Light aerobic activity can be performed at 3-4 weeks, and heavy lifting by 6-8 weeks.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Capsulectomy

Recovery from capsulectomy and implant pocket exchange will obviously take longer than a primary breast augmentation. Your surgeon should provide you with the information on the recovery and plan of surgery. In my experience, you will need to plan for about a week of post-operative recovery.
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after capsulectomy

Your recovery may be longer than it was after the first operation because of the muscle dissection.  Also, after removing the capsule, many surgeons use drains because there is a larger raw surface that could seep fluid in the pocket.  I instruct my patients to resume their everyday activities as soon as possible, but to avoid heavy upper body exertion for 1 month.
Bruce Genter, MD

Abington Plastic Surgeon

www.drgenter.com

+1

Breast implant augmentation removal replacement and capsulectomy

This is a signficantly more invasive procedure than your initial procedure due to the transitiion from over to under the muscle. Activity limitations vary by surgeon and I would discuss this. Drains may be in place and will also limit your activity during the postoperative period.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery for breast augmentation revision due to capsular contracture

First, you really should be asking your surgeon this question. But my simple response is a double recovery time. More pain is expected because of the change in anatomic location of the implants along with the increased size. From MIAMI Dr. B
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery from Revision Breast Augmentation Surgery

The recovery from implant scar tissue removal (capsulectomy) and relocation of the implant under the muscle will not be markedly worse than your first operation. The capsulectomy is usually partial - a complete capsulectomy is not needed here. Placing the implant under the muscle MAY ache for a few days but since the breast and the skin are already stretched that aspect of the operation should not be of much bother. You should be back to work in a few days. Good Luck.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after breast augmentation revision

You can expect the recovery to be somewhat longer than the original surgery. This is because the muscle is disturbed and there is also surgery on top of the muscle to remove the capsule. Even with this, you should be back to most activities in a day or two almost normal by a week. 
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implant revision

If the  capsulectomy is a total capsulectomy, then the recovery is slightly longer. Submuscular placement of implants require a longer time for recovery. If TOTAL CAPSULECTOMY is done you may have a drain. Expect two to three weeks of recovery and 6-8 weeks before you resume sternous activity
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery easy, outcome challenging after revision breast augmentation.

Hi. I would not worry about the recovery after revision breast augmentation. With gentle surgery, patients are back at work in just a few days. But it is not easy surgery, and getting the right shape can be challenging. With breast implants in New York City, we repeatedly place the patient into the sitting position during surgery (you are still asleep of course) until we feel we have created the best possible shape, size and symmetry.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Plan for recovery time after revision breast surgery

Anytime the muscle is involved the recovery time is longer, so plan on this being a longer recovery than your original augmentation above the muscle. The capsulectomy will also cause swelling, and it is likely that you will have drain tubes for a few days. It sounds like you have a good plan though, and I would expect a good result.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery time for revision breast surgery

Every patient is different, so it is impossible to predict with accuracy the length of your recovery.  In general, you will have some discomfort for a few days which is controlled well with medication.  Your incision will heal over a few weeks but should not limit you from your activities.   
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Capsulectomy with submuscular implant conversion

Basically the recovery is the same a sfor a new submuscular breast augmentation. There might be drains placed in the old pockets also. The difference from your first recovery is primarily from more pain from stretching the muscles not from removing the capsules.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery following capsular contracture revision

First of all let me state that I agree with the procedure that your surgeon has recommended.  It is especially important to move your implants to a new site.  The downside is that I would expect your recovery to be as long or longer than your original surgery since there is usually more discomfort associated with submuscular placement of implants.  Good luck!
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery from breast redo

It will vary from patient to patient so I can only give you my experience. The uncomfortable part is going to the submuscular plane as this involves lifting up the muscle and dividing a small area close to the breastbone. I use drains in all of my redo's and capsulectomies for anywhere from 3-5 days, depending upon how much drainage there is on a day to day basis. Most of my patients are able to drive within 5 days and once off pain meds (we wouldn't want you driving drunk). I am also a... more
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Capsulectomy, R/R implants and plane switch is a big operation

It sounds like your are signed up for the gold-standard operation to deal with capsular contracture. This is an extensive breast operation, and is much more complex than a routine removal and replacement of breast implants. You can expect to have a surgical drain on each side. Your recovery will be dictated to how well you tolerate the presence of a sub-muscular implant. In most augmentation patients, this is well tolerated, but is uncomfortable for a few days, sometimes longer with bigger... more
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

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