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Capsular Contracture at 3 Weeks Post-Op - PS Recommends I Lift Weights

asked 1 year ago by Really Nervous in Jonesborough, TN
Latest answer by Jonathan Saunders, MD
Question viewed 3,026 times
Tags: under muscle, armpit, capsular contracture, lymph node, pain, revision, swelling, weight lifting

I'M ONLY 4 WKS POSTOP w/CC. If possible, I would rate this CC a 6-7 on the Baker Scale. Extremely painful, but always figured from being placed under the muscle, also had a lift.

For the past 4 wks I've told my PS the right was diff-very swollen/more painful. As always he says "give it time, it'll be fine. Now he wants me to start lifting weights...adding more pain! He's not really concerned with massaging. Another concern, lymph nodes in armpits are nearly 1" big. Can this be related to CC?

Do I need further surgery?

8 answers to Capsular Contracture at 3 Weeks Post-Op - PS Recommends I Lift Weights

Capsule Contracture?

Yes, you appear to have a capsule contracture and likely will need a second surgery to lower the right and release. This can happen at 4 weeks but with the pain and nodes etc you need to get back to your doctor and share your concern. If your doctor is not responsive get a second opinion from an ABPS-FACS surgeon. If you go for a second opinion get full records from your doctor including pictures, notes, and op notes. Lifting weight is unlikely to do much... more

George Commons, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon

www.pacfps.com

Weight lifting to reduce capsular contracture

Capsular contracture is uncommon after four weeks and my best suggestion is to consider the cause, perhaps the pocket, bleeding. If the breast is indeed sore or swollen, and lymph nodes are enlarged suggesting inflammation, the weight lifting idea does not sound like a good plan of action. You may have to have a second opinion locally to make certain that all is well with your breast, especially with a grade 6-7 capsule on a 4 point scale. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Capsular contracture at 3 weeks

Do not weight lift. yes you may or will need revision in the future. keep in mind that the revision rate after augmentation mastopexy is 30-40% in most series. i would stay with your surgeon if you have a good relationship. too early to abandon ship. yes infection is also a concern. i would be seeing you weekly if not twice a week. do not know where you got the capsular contracture number

Jonathan Saunders, MD
Newark Plastic Surgeon

www.drjonathansaunders.com

Capsular contracture after 4 weeks?

Looking at your pictures, and considering the history that you described I would recommend getting a second opinion. Make sure your second opinion is a board certified Plastic Surgeon. Was your initial surgeon a board certified Plastic Surgeon? Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD

Martin Jugenburg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

www.torontosurgery.ca

Capsular contracture at 4 weeks post-op--weight lifting won't help!

But at least it gives you something to do while time goes by. Revision should not even be considered for at least two more months, and if things are still changing, many of us would recommend waiting at least 6 months for surgical revision. Of greater concern is that this swelling and pain may be related to bleeding (now stopped, of course, but the "old blood" is still in the pocket and can be a cause of capsular contracture), or infection. While the latter is less likely than... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

CC after 4 weeks

It certainly is possible to have a CC after 4 weeks but it is unusual. Enlarged lymph nodes are not uncommon and may not indicate an infection, only recent surgery. If the breast is warm and swollen then I would see your doctor as soon as possible. From your pictures it appears the nipples are at different heights as are the implants. Provided there is no infection I would probably wait2-3 months and at that time do a revision. I agree that I don't think... more

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.schusterplasticsurgery.com

Breast lift and augmentation

It is hard to say without an exam. It is not common to have enlarged axillary lymph nodes 4 weeks after surgery. It could be possible that you have a low grade infection. You should follow closely with your doctor. I do not know how weight lifting will help you.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Pain and swelling after surgery, is it capsular contracture

Pain and swelling are not the typical presentation of early capsular contracture but of more concern is the possibility of a low grade infection. I am unsure of the role of early weight lifting in the management of capsular contracture but go back to your surgeon and share your concerns. If your surgeon is insensitive to your needs a second or third opinion may be in order. When getting second opinions always bring a copy of your medical records as it helps the second opinion surgeon... more

Marcel Daniels, MD
Long Beach Plastic Surgeon

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