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Possible Capsule Contracture, Would Like More Info

asked 10 months ago by Pooh from Fl. in Bonifay. FL
Latest answer by Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD
Question viewed 166 times
Tags: sagging, 10 years post-op, capsular contracture, hard

After 9 years, having problems with hardening of left breast. There was more saline place on that side.Right Breast feels normal, but now it is sagging compared to left breast. After my surgery,the Dr. told me at my follow up that I would need to wear underwire bras to maintain them because I had more elasticity in my skin and that was why my left breast was firmer. I was disappointed, but have worn sports bras to bed the last 9 years and underwires. I had the surgery to keep from that to start. What to do?

5 answers to Possible Capsule Contracture, Would Like More Info

+1

Capsular Contracture

After 9 years, it sounds like you have developed capsular contracture around your implant. The rate of contracture varies from surgeon to surgeon, but at about ten years, the overall contracture rate is probably between 5-10% of all implants. Sometimes this is easy to correct by simply removing scar tissue. Other times, this also requires changing the implant and the position of the implant as well. The best thing to do is to see a board certified plastic surgeon and... more
Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgeon
+1

Proper evaluation is required to diagnose capsular contracture.

Sorry to hear that you have had this problem for 9 years. That is quite a long time to simply "live with it." Hardness of a breast implant following augmentation is most often related to capsular contracture. This process usually does not improve without intervention. To properly diagnose what is going on, you need to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. However, at this point, surgery is likely going to be your best and most reliable option for correction if it is a true... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Capsular Contracture

I recommend consulting a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss possible revisionary breast surgery. After breast augmentation surgery excessive scar tissue may form around the breast implant which causes the breast implants to harden (similar to what a contracted muscle feels like). The cause of capsular contracture is unknown, but it is the most common complication with breast augmentation surgery and may be a painful burden for some patients. There are different grades of capsular... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Possible Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture can occur after breast augmentation. Your body will normally create a scar, or capsule, around your breast implants. Most of the time these capsuled don't cause any problems. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the capsule can start to get smaller, or contract. This can result in a change in the way the implant appears. Sometimes there is pain involved. Sometimes the implant will fail, or rupture. The best way to determine this is through a face-to-face... more
William A. Wallace, MD, FACS

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants - Possible Capsule Contracture, Would Like More Info

Hi Pooh, It's difficult to make an assessment without seeing photos and, even more, without being able to examine you in person. However, overfilling a saline implant (compared with less saline in the same size implant on the other side) typically leads to an implant that is relatively firmer and, often, higher-sitting. So it's not surprising, based on what you say, that the softer one was not only softer but has sagged a bit. The firmness on the left may be due... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

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