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Hard Breast Implant After Replacement Surgery

I had my implants replaced after 9 years 10 days ago. One side is soft, feels fine and normal and the other is solid. Implant on the soft side moves freely while its difficult to move the one on other side. Should the hard side soften or is this something to worry about?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by bexybex in Birmingham

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Revision Breast Augmentation for Capsular Contracture

Revision surgery for breast implants is commonly done for size changes, though removing scar tissue around the implant which is called a capsulectomy is usually part od the operation. A capsular contracture usually does not occur one week after surgery and is more likely a hematoma, which is more common with a capsulectomy. I would recommend following up with your plastic surgeon. This may also represent muscle spasms though I would rule out a hematoma first before saying it is that. more

Hard breast on one side only 10 days post-op signifies a problem.

Capsular contracture does not occur this rapidly, so this is most likely a breast hematoma. It may be a small or gradually-occurring one, but the fact that one breast is soft and has good implant movement whereas the other does not, means something has happened on the "hard" side. Bleeding that is not tended to by re-operation for removal of the blood, rinsing of the pocket, and replacement of the implant can lead to that blood becoming a contracted capsule. Then it's a... more

One breast is harder than the other: when to look into this.

If this occurred suddenly, you should have it evaluated. If it is larger it may be a sign of seroma and the FDA has recently asked use to evaluate these more closely in the past. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Firmness on one side after 10 days may be of concern.

At 10 days after surgery, each breast should have a similar feel to them. A very firm breast is concerning for fluid or blood around the implant. I recommend a follow up visit with your surgeon soon. Capsular contracture would take at least 4 weeks before showing any signs.

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Hard Breasts for more than 6 months? See your doctor

It depends on how long it has been since the last surgery. It is normal for one side of the implant to feel firmer and experience more swelling up to 6 weeks post surgery. However, if it has been longer than 6 months or the hardness happened abruptly, it could be a sign of capsular contracture (formation of scar tissue). I would recommend contacting your physician for a follow up.

One hard side

The side that is hard may have some fluid or a hematoma and you may want to bring it to the attention of your doctor.Is that side bruised?Check it out with him.

Hard implants after revision breast augmentation

See your surgeon. A mild difference in texture between right and left sides is not unusual, but a more dramatic difference may indicate a collection of blood (hematoma) or other problem.

Firm breasts after replacement

Developing firm breast within 2 weeks of surgery demands a visit to your surgeon to evaluate for fluid collections such as a seroma or hematoma. Assuming these are not present, this may be a manifestation of early scar formation.

Both breasts should be soft after revision breast augmentation.

Hi. Yours is not normal picture. Need to rule out hematoma, perhaps with sonogram. See your plastic surgeon right away see video

Firm chest after surgery

It is difficult to evaluate your concerns without an exam or more information. Was the one side tighter before? Was it a smaller breast with a larger implant placed? These are jsut a few questions I would have.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Hard after surgery

I have to admit it is very unusual to have a capsule this rapidly after surgery, but I have seen it on one patient. If there is no difference in the swelling between the 2 sides I would see you plastic surgeon as soon as possible. If it is a hematoma or seroma, removing it early on may prevent problems in the future. Good luck, Dr. Schuster in Boca

Implant replacement

This a concern that only your plastic surgeon should evaluate. Check for bruising. Hardness, this early, may be a sign of a hematite. Capsular contractile does not occur this soon.

Hard breast implants = capsular contracture

It sounds like you have developed a capsular contracture - which is a contracting rind of scar tissue around an implant, creating firmness and displacement, sometimes pain. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in revisionary breast surgery for an opinion.

Hard Breast 10 days after Breast Implant Placement

Regarding: "Hard Breast Implant After Replacement Surgery I had my implants replaced after 9 years 10 days ago. One side is soft, feels fine and normal and the other is solid. Implant on the soft side moves freely while its difficult to move the one on other side. Should the hard side soften or is this something to worry about?" A hard breast shortly after breast implant placement or exchange can be due to blood or fluid in the implant pocket or insufficient creation of the... more

Firm Breasts After Breast Implants

Firm breasts after placement of breast implants are generally caused by progressive thickening of the scar capsule around the implants which eventually leads to Capsular Contracture. This occurence was far more common in the past with older implants and is thankfully much less common as both the implants as well as our technique has improved. Capsular Contracture is generally diagnosed by the following findings: firmness to one or both of the breasts distortion... more

Asymmerty after breast implant surgery

This is a question only your doctor can answer. If you have a seroma or hematoma, this can make one side hard and also bigger than the opposite. Go back to your doctor for an exam and explanation.