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Does Having a Hematoma Post-op Increase Your Risk of Capsular Contracture?

I was one of the unlucky few to develop a hematoma above the right breast one day after surgery. The doctor put me back under, suctioned everything out, and is having me wear a drain the next three days. Even though the hematoma is now gone, does it increase my chances of developing capsular contracture later on? If so, by how much? What can I do to prevent CC? Thank You.

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by wooten3955 in Springfield, OH

Doctor Answers (19)
Community Comments (2)

Bleeding and Capsule Contracture after Breast Implant

Yes, bleeding does increase you chance of a capsule contracture. I tell patients not to worry and just do everything right. Taking 10 mg of the advised allergy prep is now considered a great idea for 3 months. Use a compression band on the upper pole for one month. After 2 weeks take 400U vit E a day, massage, and likely you will not get the contracture. Followly closely with you doctor. Do not worry the increased risk is small..... more

Breast augmentation and hematoma

An untreated hematoma would increase your chances of capular contracture significantly. However, in my experience once a hematoma is cleaned out the chance for capsular contracture is about the same. And for other patients reading this a drain may or may not be necessary after evacuation of a hematoma. So if you've had a hematoma and received no drain this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Post op hematoma

Unfortunately a few patients do develop a post op hematome. Your surgeon did the right thing by irrigating the area and draining it. The hematoma was dealt with in a timely, and therefore has minimized the risk of you developing a capsular contracture. In my experience, I do not find that there is an increased risk of development of a contracture, provided you massage the breast area daily for 2-3 months

Hematoma and Capsular Contracture

The presence of untreaated hematoma is linked to the development of capsular contracture. Your surgeon performed the absolutely correct actions of evacuating the hematoma, washing the implant and placeing a drain. Early massage will be very important for you to keep your capsule loose. If there is some tightening, I have found topical Castor Oil, applied twice daily, to be helpful.

Hematoma after Breast Augmentation

Sorry to hear of your hematoma. I think your surgeon handled everything well by recognizing the problem quickly and addressing it. Capsular contracture has been found to have an association with hematoma, seroma, and infection. By leaving a drain, your surgeon is minimizing fluid collection around your implant, which can be a nidus for infection or scar formation. Steps that can be taken to minimize subsequent capsular contracture are massage and... more

Postoperative hematoma after Breast Augmentation

A hematoma after breast augmentation increases your risk of capsular contraction. It sound like your doctor is treating you well. We know that capsular contraction rates are about 10% after six years in women with silicone gel implants. Capsular contraction rates with saline implants are much lower about 1-3% for some reason. We do not know exactly what causes capsular contraction. I do not know of any data about the exact incidence of capsular contracture rates after a hematoma but I think... more

Hematoma after breast augmentation

Developing a hematoma following breast augmentation surgery is a small but real risk. Unfortunately it is associated with a higher risk of capsular contracture. I recommend massage and careful followup exams.

Hematoma after breast augmentation.

Early diagnosis and treatment in the form of re-operation is never regrettable. If a bleeding point is found and stopped, a drain is not needed. In my experience, the ultimate result is equable to the side that bled. Massage is always helpful. Oral medications do not work well, and are elective.

Capsular Contracture are you at risk

Capsular contracture has been researched and studied for years now. Truth be told there are several associations that have been linked to contracture and one of those unfortunately is a hematoma. It is difficult to quantify by how much your risk is increased, so try not to worry to much about it. Other things that have been linked to CC are talc on surgical gloves, seroma formation and bacteria. Interestingly people who have none of these risk factors may get a CC while... more

Ritu Chopra, MD

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Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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Capsular Contracture and Hematoma

Dear Wooten3955, Sorry to hear you had a hematoma. It sounds like your doctor did the best thing for you by not ignoring it, cleaning it out, and placing a drain. You are probably at a slightly higher risk, but not necessarily. I wouldn't worry regardless, that doesn't help. As for being proactive in trying to prevent a possible capsular contracture, there is nothing that has shown to be effective in preventing it. This includes medications like... more

Hematoma and Capsular Contracture

Yes, unfortunately, you developed a hematoma after breast surgery. This is a rare occurrence and can happen to even the very best surgeons despite every precaution. While the risk of capsular contracture is increased with hematoma, the risk is still very small. It is best to keep in mind that these are only statistics and every patient is different. in all likelihood you will be fine, but should continue to follow up with your surgeon. Good Luck more

Capsular contracture risk is increased by a hematoma.

Hematoma is a risk with any surgery and unfortunately this happened in your case. The good news is that you were treated promptly and effectively and in most cases this event will not affect your aesthetic outcome. Your risk of capsular contracture has been increased but still remains fairly low. The type of implant used and the pocket the implant is in will influence your risk. Many surgeons encourage implant displacement exercises for smooth surfaced implants... more

Hematoma and Capsular Contracture

With the appropriate and expeditious management you received for your hematoma, your risk for capsular contracture may only be slighltly higher than usual, but it is not helpful to worry about this. Once cleared to begin your implant massage, do so for the next three months, morning and evening, and present for monthly follow-ups to monitor for signs of early contracture formation.

Hematoma Can Increase Risk of Capsule Contracture

We know that a hematoma after breast implant surgery can increase the risk of developing a hematoma. Prompt removal of the clot, rinsing of the pocket and drainage can reduce the increased risk toward normal. I also recommend aggressive manipulation/massage of the implants and will add 2 or 3 months of supplemental Vitamin E after a couple weeks of healing. Ask your surgeon if he/she recommends anything special after drain removal.

Does hematoma cause increased risk of capsular contracture?

Hematoma does cause higher risk for capsular contracture if not treated early. You plastic surgeon recognized this rare, but possible complication and he treated you appropriately. From now on, you should have an uneventful recovery and you risk of capsular contracture should not be higher than if this would've not happened.

Breast hematoma can cause capsular contracture

It is true that patients that have bleeding into the breast after breast augmentation will have an increased risk of capsular contracture. Published information seems to give a contracture rate of 25% after a hematoma has formed. Some will advocate breast massage pushing the implant both high and down into the pocket, and some rest with a compression bra (what we like) to rest the area and reduce inflammation. The odds are with you either way. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Does Having a Hematoma Post-op Increase Your Risk of Capsular Contracture?

You are correct and Dr Rand explains it very nicely. Statistically your incidence of capsular fibrosis increases after having a treated hematoma by a factor of 2. Start your massages aggressively with your chosen surgeon's OK. Ultrasound may also be of help. Regards

Hematomas and capsular contractures

For sure, hematomas increase risks of CC but your doctor did the right thing and I wouldn't say your risk is any higher than if you hadn't had the hematoma. Massage is the simplest thing to do and might decrease CC risks but nobody knows for certain. But at least it gives you something to do. Avoid medications for this because they are not proven and could be harmful potentially.

Does Having a Hematoma Post-op Increase Your Risk of Capsular Contracture?

Yes, but only slightly, thanks to your surgeon. You plastic surgeon did exactly the right procedure by addressing and evacuating the hematoma early - the earlier the better. Blood soaks into the tissues if left too long, and the capsular contracture rate goes up significantly. The determination of whether the drain was necessary can only be made by your surgeon at that time. Follow his instructions. Massage exercises will be advised. Follow them closely, as they are important. Basically, you... more

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Comments (2)

wooten3955 16 Dec 2012

I am doing great. I ended up having a revision, but not because of the hematoma. I was asymmetrical before the surgery, and afterward the right breast (smaller one) was tighter and nipple was off center. A year after the original surgery, the doctor went in to fix the position of the nipple. He said it didn't look like the hematoma had caused any build up of scar tissue; the right boob feels nice and soft. I think the best thing to do if you've had a hematoma is keep massaging your breasts daily. I also take 400 iu of vitamin E every day. I don't know if it helps, but I figure it can't hurt either.