Capsular Contracture 4 Weeks Post Op? Hardness Under Scar on Right Breast?

I am 4 weeks after my op. i have been massaging once a day as instructed. Today i have noticed a hard area under the scar on my right breast. it feels about an inch long. This breast is harder than my left breast and it took longer for the pain to go away in this breast. I am scared this may be the start of a capsular contraction. Should i massage more? Is there anything more i can do to stop it from getting worse

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by ladyshenellope

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Capsular Contracture 4 Weeks Post Op?

It is a bit early to suspect a capsular contracture at four weeks. If you are right-handed, the pectoral muscle will be larger, and more compressive of the implant for the first few months, and it would not be alarming if that side felt tighter. I am not sure what you are feeling at the level of the scar, other than the scar itself. Your own surgeon will be in a better position to answer these questions, and they certainly are all appropriate questions to ask. All the best. more

Hardness of scars

Hello. There is a good chance that the hardness you feel is scar formation in the incision and not a problem with the capsule. It is also not uncommon for breasts to heal at different rates which may explain the hardness in your right breast when compared to your left. You should bring these concerns to you plastic surgeon to be sure. Continue massaging as it should help soften your scars. Jaime Perez, MD Breast Implant Specialist Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa more

Harness under the scar is common early after surgery.

It is too early to tell if you are forming a capsular contracture. What is common is the feeling of uneven healing after breast surgery. Patients often describe one side feeling different that the other during the first several months after surgery. These differences tend to even out over time. Hardness immedeiately beneath the scar is quite common and it can be felt on one or both sides. Massage seems to help speed up the softening process. Give it time and... more

Capsular contracture following augmentation

While it is quite early postoperatively to develop a capsular contracture, I would continue with implant massage as you are doing at this time. It sounds like typical scar formation at that area, for which massaging of the area should ameliorate over time. This is, of course, you did not/do not have any bleeding/infection issue in the immediate postoperative period, which could account for the difference in appearance and feel of your breasts. Certainly an evaluation of... more

Capsular Contracture or Incisional Scar Tissue?

Thank you for your question. To answer this question adequately, a physical exam is required. I would recommend you follow up with your plastic surgeon for an exam. Statistically, it is more common to have incisional scar tissue formation compared to a capsular contracture this early in the healing process. However, it is possible to develop an early capsular contracture. Before starting a treatment plan, such as increased breast massaging, it is important to... more

Capsular contracture at 4 weeks?

It is unlikely you have a capsular contracture at 4 weeks. Without knowing exactly what was done, it is best to ask your surgeon what he recommends.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Hard area by your scar

It sounds like one of two things: it might simply be the natural formation of a little scar tissue, right in the area of your incision. Keep on massaging the scar. However, if that whole side is not moving well, however, it could be an early capsule formation - it is possible to see them even in the first month. Did you have any bleeding or infection issues? Check with your surgeon - you may require treatment.

Breast Augmentation and Capsular Contracture at 4 Weeks

In general, the diagnosis of capsular contracture may take longer to establish than 4 weeks. Sometimes, the hard area under the scar is just scar. If the capsule is hardening and developing contracture, it is fairly obvious. Your plastic surgeon can determine this with an exam. Massage is recommended by many plastic surgeons, but you should get the opinion of your plastic surgeon. Kenneth Hughes, MD Hughesplasticsurgery Los Angeles, CA more