What Are the Chances That Capsular Contracture Will Occur Again and Can I Do Anything to Help Prevent It?

In April of 2002 I had a breast lift and augmentation. In August of 2002 had surgery to correct the capsular contraction that had occured in my left breast. I'm a bit fuzzy on some of the details but the surgeon decided to remove both of the implants and after a few months of healing put them back in. I decided not to have them put back in since they didn't look that bad. Now after 2 pregnancies and breastfeeding 3 kids I have lost fullness. Since time has passed does that make a difference?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by summer13 in Birmingham

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Preventing another capsular contracture

You are probably at lower risk for another capsular contracture given that the implants were removed and you have had time to heal. Go with the common denominators in the advice you see on these posts: Under muscle, no-touch technique (this is facilitated by using what is called a Keller funnel), antibiotic irrigation. Massage is of unproven benefit, as is vitamin E, and the use of Singulair might help in some cases but the evidence is highly variable.

Preventing capsular contracture with breast implants

You may be at a slightly higher risk of developing capsular contracture (hard scar tissue) since you have already had it once in the past. I would recommend having your new implants placed under your pectoral muscle (subpectoral). Studies show that some saline implants have a slightly lower incidence of capsular contracture also. Early massage, high doses of Vitamin E (taken orally) and Singulair (an asthma medication) have all shown to help minimize the risk of capsular contracture. You... more

Minimizing capsular contracture

Minimizing capsular contracture requires both intraoperative maneuvers and postoperative maneuvers. Operative Measures 1. Minimum touch technique 2. Irrigation with antibiotics 3. Meticulous hemostasis 4. Placement of implant under the muscle Postoperative Maneuvers 1. Capsular contracture prophylaxis exercises

Recurrent Capsular Contracture-Science vs Myths

It appears that if you ask 3 plastic surgeons about recurrent capsular contracture, you are going to get three different answer, however: Most of the scientific data on capsular contracture point to bacteria and trauma as the causes of capsular contracture The research on implant texture is inconclusive, but to date the only conclusion is that there may be a possible benefit from textured implants in the subglandular position revisional surgery for... more

What Are the Chances That Capsular Contracture Will Occur Again and Can I Do Anything to Help Prevent It?

If you have not had implants since 2002, your tissues have healed and your risks are not much higher than someone who has not had implants. Some studies show that behind the muscle has a slightly lower risk of encapsulation, but not conclusive. I would strongly recommend using a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who uses a "no touch technique" as this has been shown to reduce your risks. Good luck!

Capsular contracture recurrence

Since you no longer have implants and want them back in, I would suggest to have them placed in a different pocket plane. You still have a risk or a new capsule but withotu an exam and knowing exactly how you were treated last time, it is hard to say.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

With capsular contracture time can make all the difference

The figures often quoted for capsular contracture after breast implants is from 2 - 9% and are similar for both silicone gel and saline breast implants. Most capsules will occur within the first two years and often on one side. These 'early' capsules can be very hard to resolve and even after surgery to release them the recurrence is as high as 50%. Removing implants and replacing them after several years can change everything, especially if the implants are place under the muscle.... more

Recurrent Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture does have a high rate of recurrence, but your situation is a little unusual. Most patients have their implants replaced when the contracture is treated operatively. The best chance of preventing recurrence is to move the implants to a different location. I would still suggect that in your case as well, even though several years have past.

Capsular contracture recurrance?

If your implants are placed in a new sub-muscular pocket there is very little risk of recurrance. But many patients require some degree of breast lift with sub-muscular implants. If the implants have to be placed back into the original pocket, I use some long-acting cortisone (Depo-medrol) to discourage any recurrance. Capsular contracture can almost always be conquered with addtional treatments. Dr Foster