Breast Implants: Q&A

Ask a Question

Who Can Develop a Capsular Contracture?

I'm considering breast implants and breast lift. Who can develop this problem after breast augmentation procedure?

I had my rhinoplasty done 4 months ago. The tip is refines and shortened. The tip is still swollen and hard because of scar tissue--really stiff. My plastic surgeon said that it will take a year for tip swelling to go down and show results.

I'm wondering if I'll devolp the same hard scar tissue after breast augmentation too that might cause rupture of breast or requring another surgery to remove the hardened tissue? Your help is appreciated in advance.

Tags:

Comment on this

14 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

Doctor Answers (14)
Community Comments (0)

Capsular contracture after breast augmentation

Thanks for the question. The short answer is the scar tissue from your rhinoplasty is unlikely to be related to your risk for capsular contracture and anyone can get capsular contracture after breast augmentation. It is not completely clear what causes capsular contracture. Capsular contracture can occur as soon as 4 weeks after breast augmentation surgery. A capsule forms around any foreign body placed within the human body - this is a normal occurence and all breast implants have capsules... more

Breast implants can cause capsular contracture in anyone

The simple answer is anyone can develop capsular contracture. But it is a statistical question of the percentages who do in all augmentations. Studies have shown the capsular contracture rates are very low -- in the single digits. If it happens to you, then it is 100% for you, and you would be very unhappy. We as plastic surgeons can not predict who is going to have a capsular contracture. Please go see 3 boarded plastic surgeons in your area to discuss in greater detail, or until you fully... more

Breast Augmentation Complications

Complications do not happen often but are related to the quality of the surgeon. So make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon who has nice before and after results. Capsular contacture is unpredictable and happens in about 7% of the patients who undergo breast augmentation. Some surgeons have higher percentage some lower. That is just a national average. There are things that I do in the operating room and outside after your surgery to help reduce the capsular contracture rate... more

Anyone with breast implants can develop capsular contracture

Anyone with implants can develop capsular contracture, and seemingly at any point postop. We really don't know what causes it so giving advice on how to avoid it is difficult. The only thing I know for sure will cause a capsule is a post op hematoma. For this reason, I try to keep meticulous hemostasis in surgery and to see all my breast augmentation patients within a day or two of surgery. Anyone with a possible hematoma is reexplored immediately. They are rare but, certainly will cause... more

Capsular contracture of breast implants

Anyone can develop capsular contractures. It is not known exactly why this occurs but certain situations increase the risk: infection, bleed, flu-like syndrome, hormonal changes. I doubt if there will be any correlation between the healing of your rhinoplasty and the healing of your breast augmentation.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Capsular Contracture

Everyone forms a capsule around a breast implant, artificial joint, etc. The rate of capsular contracture (when this capsule contracts making the implant feeling abnormally high and making the breast too round) was quite high 20-25 years ago. In my experience this occurs rarely now if certain conditions are met (for example, using proper sized implant). I know of no cases in which a capsular contracture led to an implant rupture.

Hardness of the breast after breast augmentation is infrequent

While hardness of the breast (capsular contraction) can develop after a breast augmentation in anyone, it is relatively infrequent. In the past with the old implants and the methods that they were inserted, the frequency was quite high. Now with the new cohesive gel implants and the new saline implants the incidence has markedly declined. There are a number of maneuvers that your surgeon can preform that will also markedly reduce the changes of hardness of the breast. The use of systemic... more

Risk factors for capsular contracture

Scarring on the nose after rhinoplasty is not related to the type of scarring that occurs with capsular contracture. Most cases of contracture occur only on one side, so it is not simply the body's reaction to the implants either. It does seem to be slightly more common with silicone implants, and implants above the muscle. However, using good techniques it is not common, and the published statistics of more than 10% are far greater than what most of us see in practice.

Capsular contracture

It is difficult to predict who will develop a capsular contracture. The cause is believed to be multifactorial in nature.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Does scar tissue formation after rhinoplasty predict capsular contracture with breast implants?

Hi there- There are two questions here... First of all, there is no reason to believe that scar tissue formed after your nose surgery means anything at all if you were to have surgery on your breasts (or anywhere else on your body, for that matter). Secondly, with regard to capsular contracture, here's what you need to know... First the facts: ANYONE can develop capsular contracture after breast augmentation, and in fact, given enough time after surgery, almost everyone will. In other words, it more

Nose Scarring has Nothing to do with Breast Implant Scarring

Breast implant scarring - capsular contracture has nothing to do with your nose scarring. The rate of breast implant contracture is under 10% and although in most cases has no identifiable causes it is seen in higher frequency with infection,blood in the pocket, contamination of the pocket with either glove powder or microscopic gown or gauze fragments. Unless you are not willing to accept a less than 1 in 10 chance of scarring you can go ahead and have the operation. Good luck Dr P Aldea... more

Capsular contracture following breast augmentation or reconstruction can happen to anyone

A capsular contracture (development of scar tissue around an implant) can happen to any one. Most surgeons quote the incidence of this happening at between 5-10%. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening. The one postop complication that can cause an increse in the potential for this to ocurr is bleeding or the development of a hematoma. This is why it is important to have meticulous hemostasis before closing your incisions. If you do develop a capsular... more

Rhinoplasty (nose job) fibrosis not predictive of breast capsular contracture

The rhinoplasty related complications or problems that you have described would not or should not be rindicative or predictive of any complications with your breast augmentation and mastopexy procedure.