Breast Implants: Q&A
Ask a QuestionSigns 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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21 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
benhazed
in Arizona
+3
You have severe capsular contractures which need to be treated correctly
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 IMPLANTS. Your current implants have a biofilm on their surface which may contain bacteria, and even a few bacteria will cause capsular contracture. You don't need to have an obvious infection to develop another...
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+2
Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture can occur on one or both sides, and while it can develop early (weeks) or late (years) after a breast augmentation surgery, in the vast majority of cases it is evident fairly early following the procedure. So the good news is that once you are six to 12 months out from your surgery, if your augmented breasts are soft and supple then they are likely to stay that way for the long term.
It is believed that capsular contracture is primarily a response to the presence of...
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+2
Capsule Contracture Can Be Repaired
Your description of hardness is characteristic of capsule contracture.
Speak with your surgeon about options for repair and prevention of another capsule contracture, including:
Surgical removal of old capsules (complete capsulectomies)
Replacement of implants
If your implants were in front of the muscle, the new implants should be placed behind the muscle
Switching to textured surface silicone implants to prevent recurrence might be considered
With...
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+2
Capsular contracture
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.
+2
You may have a capsular contracture
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 surgeon with your operative note and ask their opinion as to what is going on here. If you have a capsular contracture, a revision could be very helpful. If the implants are too overfilled, a...
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+2
A capsular contracture is the most likely problem
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 surgery would involve either making incisions through the scar tissue at several locations to allow the capsule to expand or removing the capsule completely. However, there is no guarantee you will not...
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It is likely you have a capsular contracture.
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 hard.
+2
You may have a capsule forming or may want to consider silicone implants
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 that is the case, you might want to consider changing to silicone implants which can for some patients make the breasts feel softer even though they have little breast tissue to...
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+2
Likely capsule formation.
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 capsule. If you implants were placed above the muscle the first time, it may be best to put the new implants under the muscle. Good luck.
+2
Encapsulation
It sounds like you do have encapsulation. During your next post operative consultation convey your concerns to your surgeon and explore all the possibl alternatives.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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