How Long Does Swelling Last After Open Capsulotomy?

I had a second revision on right breast on March 17. It is still swollen and I have a small lump in the right upper outside that I noticed yesterday. I was instructed not to massage for 3 weeks, but am concerned about scar forming before that. Any thoughts? How long does the swelling last? Thanks in advance!

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swelling capsulotomy

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by PK in Bossier City, LA

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You didn't mention having a drain

It is not my practice to use drains for primary augmentations but I do use them frequently in capsulotomy and capsulectomy patients. I am usually surprised how much they drain and I am always glad I used the drain. I will bet you have fluid around the implant. This might be absorbed by your body or it might need evacuation if it is more than a small amount. An ultrasound would help to determine this. They could also drain it under ultrasound guidance to protect the implant. Much fluid... more

Upper Breast Lump Following Revision

Postoperative swelling, especially after capsule procedures can last several weeks. This lump could be a collection of blood or fluid, or even a reactive lymph node. In the presence of swelling, it may be difficult to ascertain the nature of this lump. Nevertheless, I recommend visiting your surgeon promptly, especially if this lump increases in size quickly.

Capsules and swelling

After a capsulectomy or for that matter any surgery will leave residual swelling for several months after surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Most capsulotomy swelling should be gone within a month

Some swelling after capsulotomy is expected, but usually most is gone after about a month. Scar tissue formation would not be dependent directly on massage. The massage will help keep the pocket open and stretch the spasm muscle.

Capsulotomy swelling can last a few weeks or more

Hello, Swelling after surgery can last a while and it is difficult to know without knowing more about your case. Some of these cases are simple and others require more surgery. The longer operations tend to have swelling that takes longer to subside. The capsule will not recur in such a short period of time. It takes longer to form.

Too early to tell

PK, At 10 or 12 days out from your surgery it is too early for you to develop a new scar contracture. The small lump may be a lymph node that is reacting to the trauma of surgery. Follow up with your surgeon for updates on your progress. Good luck!

Too early for a recurrence

It is possible that the lump that you are feeling is swelling in the breast tissue itself and not related to the formation of a new capsule. At 10 days the breast would be expected to be firm but it is unllikely that an abnormal capsule is already reforming. If an extensive capsulectomy or capsulotomy was performed then post operative swelling is expected. Your surgeon is in the best position to determine the next appropriate step for you. He understands where the capsulotomy was... more

There shouldn't be a lot of swelling after capsulotomy

There should not be much swelling after a capsulotomy. If there is a lot and that breast is much larger then the other, you might have a fluid collection. The small "lump" may represent fluid or, be a bulge from the implant resulting from the capsule being opened in that area. If the "lump" feels like the rest of the implant, that is what it probably is. I am sure you have or will be seeing your surgeon about this!

You probably have some liquid in your right breast.

To PK, Hi. You need to have a sonogram of your breast. If you do have fluid (a seroma), an experienced interventional radiologist can aspirate the fluid out with a needle under ultrasound control without risk of puncturing the implant. So you don't need another operation. If you do have fluid, it should not be left in, because you will get a capsular contracture. I would recommend not massaging your breast. It will not help, and might be harmful. I am sorry to give you a contradictory... more

Swelling means you may not be ready for massage

Hello, Capsulotomies can sometimes be more traumatic than the initial augmentation. In revision surgery, many times we use a drain to remove serous fluid that could remain behind. It is not unusual to be sore and have some residual swelling at 3 weeks. We don't recommend massage if the breast is still swollen and painful. You are right to be concerned about the scar forming again and you should be in close contact with your surgeon. There are some other measures we use from time to time:... more