How Would I Know If Pain And Hardness After Surgery Is Capsular Contracture?

I had my ba surgery 6 weeks ago. Since the day 5 I had significantly more pain in my right breast than in the left one. It feels much firmer than the left. It is getting softer but it is not dropping that fast. It is much higher than the left one. Is this the beginning of capsular contracture?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Aubreee in Chicago, IL

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Hardness and high Implant 6 weeks after Breast Augmentation may be sign of Capsular Contraction

Aubree, Thank you for your question. Six weeks after a Breast Augmentation is the time frame when Capsular Contraction usually first becomes evident. I recommend that you see your surgeon right away as there are steps he/she can take to lessen the risk. It is encouraging and hopeful that the Right Breast Implant is softening rather than getting harder. Generally implants continue to soften and drop for about 3 months after surgery. Be sure to discuss Breast Displacement... more

Capsular contracture six weeks after surgery?

Implants usually take 3-6 weeks to "settle", but can take up to six months to fully drop as shown by Dr. Burkhardt years ago. Capsular contracture is unusual to develop at six weeks after surgery. Capsular contra cure can occur many years after surgery. Be patient for now. There are some conservative measures you can try to help the implant "settle" like wearing a bandeau strap or applying pressure to the superior pole of the implant to help stretch the inferior pole soft tissues. You... more

Todd C. Case, MD

14 reviews

Tucson Plastic Surgeon

Capsule vs normal healing

You are still in the early healing phase from your surgery. It may take up to six months for things to soften after the initial surgery. Only after you have given adequate healing time without change should you worry about a capsule. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

3 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Capsular contracture after augmentation

When breasts suffer from capsular contracture, they can appear more high riding and gradually feel more firm. I think it is unusually to see capsular contracture in the first days or initial weeks after breast augmentation and the more typical culprit is more swelling or bruising on one side. Occasionally, especially if the implant looks more full, there can be a small hematoma (blood collection) sitting in the pocket. If the hematoma is large enough, sometimes it needs to... more