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Signs that breast implants are encapsulated?

I've had saline implants for a year now. I kept telling my doctor that it felt as if the left one had never even "set in" and that both feels unnatural. He brushed this off. I have an appointment next week...Now they are saying it is probably encapsulated. Does this sound right? They are both so hard I now turn my body to give a hug! The right side is somewhat softer, but nowhere near others I have talked to.

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14 answers to “Signs that breast implants are...”

A: Capsular contracture

Steven Wallach, MD
By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

 If the breasts are firm and the implants are not mobile, then you probably have a capsular contracture.  This is something that you should definitely talk with your doctor about.  Most of the time you have to have the capsule removed to improve this situation.

A: You may have a capsular contracture

Richard P. Rand, MD
By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Either you have a capsular contracture or your implants were too overfilled at the time of their insertion.  These are basically the only ways a saline implant can feel too hard.  Maybe your expectations of what is normal for a saline implant are also incorrect. I would suggest you visit another... more

A: A capsular contracture is the most likely problem

David A. Robinson, MD
By David A. Robinson, MD - Munster Plastic Surgeon

One of the potential complications of breast augmentation surgery is development of a capsular contracture.  This is when scar tissue, which forms around the implant,  becomes hard and potentially painful.  Unfortunately, there is no easy way to address this problem other than surgery.  The... more

A: It is likely you have a capsular contracture.

Sanjay Grover, MD
By Sanjay Grover, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

It is likely you may have a capsular contracture if you feel that your breasts are quite hard and do not appear as though they have 'settled'.  The other possiblity is that your saline implants were overfilled significantly more than is recommended.  This would also cause your implants to feel quite... more

A: You may have a capsule forming or may want to consider silicone implants

Susan E. Downey, MD
By Susan E. Downey, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

You need to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Without examining you it is difficult to know exactly what is going on. Encapsulation can cause firm or even hard breasts. It is also possible that you are feeling the saline implants especially if you have very litlle breast tissue covering the implants. If... more

A: Likely capsule formation.

David Shafer, MD
By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Benhazed, The most likely explanation is that you have capsular contraction around your breast implants. This is a rare reaction by the body to the presence of a foreign material (the implant). Basically, the body forms a hard scar around the implant. You will likely need another operation to remove the... more

A: You likely have a capsular contracture around your breast implants

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
By Brooke R. Seckel, MD - Boston Plastic Surgeon

I agree with the doctor above; it sounds like you do have a capsule around your breat implants. At a year it is likely you will need a revisional surgical procedure if your doctor does find that you have breast implant capsules. Unfortunately the most widely accepted option is an open capsulectomy or... more

A: You have severe capsular contractures which need to be treated correctly

George J. Beraka, MD
By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To benhazed, Hi!  I am afraid you need a revision, and how it is done is crucial. 1)  You need CAPSULECTOMIES.  That means the existing lining around your implants needs to be removed.  This lining has myofibroblast cells which cause capsular contracture. 2)   You need NEW... more

A: Yes, that sounds possible

Sutton Graham II, MD
By Sutton Graham II, MD - Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Benhazed, The possible causes and treatments for tight breast capsules are discussed and debated by surgeons all over the country, but if yours are firm and resist compression, then you likely have capsular contracture.  That is unfortunate since recurrence even after treatment in not uncommon.  I... more

A: Sounds like capsular contracture

Farbod Esmailian, MD
By Farbod Esmailian, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

It sounds as though you have capsular contracture.  Pretty much what you are describing sounds like the implants have become encapsulated and become firm.  You should see your doctor and have him examine you to see what he/she thinks. Capsular contracture is when the scar tissue around the implant... more

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