Breast Implant Removal: Q&A

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I Developed Capsular Contracture in my Left What Will Happen if I Don't Have It Removed?

My left breast has a slightly different shape but im scared of getting the scar tissue removed because it my occur again. If I decide to leave it alone what will happen? it's not that hard as it use to be can it over time get harder?

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by tookie in Hollywood, FL
+1

Capsular Contracture

If you are not having pain / discomfort with the scar tissue being present and don't mind the "change in shape" due to the scar tissue, you don't HAVE to surgically remove the scar tissue. You can try aggressive massage and ask your surgeon about Accolate to see if that would help in your case. If you become uncomfortable with the look or the pain associated with the scar tissue, then it's time to have surgery. Your scar tissue may or may not get worse... more
+1

Treating capsular contracture

As long as the contracture is soft, you may want to hold off. However, if the scarring is bad and you really want it treated, I would recommend getting the capsule removed and a new implant placed. You'll still have a risk of getting more contracture, so you may want to entertain the idea of getting Alloderm placed inside as well. Talk to your plastic surgeon about the details of Alloderm and how it can help you.
+1

Long term capsular contracture

Capsulsar contracture is simply an aggressive scar response around an implant. Massage and sometimes ultrasound therapies can help soften the scar. The natural progression tends to harden to a degree then stay at that level. Surgical removal of the capsule often fixes the problem. To increase the likelihood of success, the use of a dermal matrix (ie Strattice) can decrease the incidence following capsulectomy. The cost of a dermal matrix is significant and thus usually used in tertiary or... more

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+1

Hard left implant

Everyone gets a capsule and you are no different.If one breasts gets harder it can affect the shape suchas in your case.You can massage it and just leave it alone.
+1

Nothing need necessarily be done.

Capsular contracture does not produce any health problems so there is no real medical need to do anything about it. Your contracture may remain as is or it can become more severe resulting in some discomfort from the shear tightness of the contracture. If this happens you might be prompted to seek some relief in spite of your concerns about a recurrence of the contracture.Incidentally, your concerns are well founded since there is a fairly high recurrence rate of a surgically released... more
+1

Scar tissue will not go away.

The capsular contracture may stay the same or may get worse with time. If you decide to have surgery to remove the scar tissue, it is usually best to remove all the scar tissue and use a new implant to reduce the risk of recurrence.
+1

Untreated capsular contracture

If you don't address capsular contracture there is no risk to your health. The scar tissue will not go away without surgery, but this is only a cosmetic issue. If you begin to develop symptoms (pain) you may want to have the scar tissue removed and the breast implant replaced. The scar tissue could remain stable for many years, however it could also begin to progressively become harder over time in certain cases. You don't have to do anything until you have pain and... more
+1

The fates of capsular contractures

If you don't have surgery cc will either stay the same or might get a bit worse or even dramatically worse and super hard. But it won't go away on it's own.
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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