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Without more information on what type of surgery you had, it is hard to know what is going on. However, assuming that you had breast augmentation in the past, you probably have some sort of capsular contracture around the firm breast. I would address this with your surgeon if indeed you have had previous breast augmentation.
Although yourhistory is somewhat limited, it does suggest the presence of a capsularcontracture.For this reason, it’simportant to consult your plastic surgeon and have a treatment plan formulatedto deal with this problem.Whenever a foreign material isplaced inside your body, it will generate a reaction from the surroundingtissue.This typically results in theformation of a fibrous capsule that surrounds the breast implant.With time, the capsule tightens and undergoescontraction.When this occurs followingbreast augmentation, we call it a capsular contracture.All patients have some capsuleformation.Indeed, absence of capsuleformation might result in the implant shifting.When capsule formation results in a contracture, patients may experiencehardening of the breast, distortion of the breast, and breast pain.Capsule formation can occur at any time and,as time goes on, the incidence slowly increases.When it occurs, patients note firmness of thebreast; as it goes on, this may be accompanied by pain and progressivedistortion of the breast.The breast mayshift in an upward direction and develop an abnormal shape.The cause of capsular contracture isnot totally understood, although multiple theories exist.When capsular contractures occur, there areseveral treatment options.In mildcases, medical management and massage may be necessary.In severe cases of capsular contracture,surgery may be necessary.This mayrequire release of the contracture by performing a capsulotomy or removal ofthe capsule by performing a capsulectomy.Treatment has high satisfaction rates and most patients are ultimatelyhappy.
This depends on how long after your surgery it's been. If you are just weeks after surgery, then this could be due to swelling affecting one breast more than the other, which will gradually resolve in the next few weeks and months. If it's been several months or years after surgery, then this could be an indication of capsular contracture. Capsular contracture causes the breast to become firmer, tighter and elevated. You may also feel pain. Not having more details about your situation, the best advice for you is to see your surgeon for an assessment.
As you can see from the answers, the Real Self team of excellent plastic surgeons feels you have given insufficient information to understand exactly what your question is. Therefore, I am going to make certain assumptions in order to answer the question I believe you are asking. I am going to assume that you had a breast augmentation, and that after the breast augmentation, one breast has gotten much firmer than the other side, and as it has gotten firmer, it has also gotten painful. Assuming that this was not immediately after surgery and there is no bruising, I am going to assume it is not a hematoma, and that it is, in fact, what is called a capsular contracture on the hard side. The body's response to a foreign body, be it a splinter in your finger or a breast implant on your chest, is to form a scar around it. This scar is your immune system's way of protecting you from this foreign object which is seen as an invader. When this scar or capsule starts contracting inward, it forces your breast implant into a smaller and smaller space, which moves upward and becomes rounder and harder. The nerve endings that surround the breast can sometimes be trapped within this scar capsule, which is normally the cause of the pain with the hard breast. Why this capsular contracture occurred just on one side and not both is the $64,000 question. I believe the reason the capsular contracture happens on one side and not both has to do with deferential inter-operative factors working on the two breasts. Blood around an implant and non-pathogenic bacteria around the implant or in the implant pocket are the two most common inter-operative causes of a capsular contracture. You need to return to see your plastic surgeon as he (there are no female plastic surgeons in Hawaii) has several modalities to decrease your pain and, potentially, cure your capsular contracture.
Why is One Breast Hard and the Other Soft? This may be an indication that you have formed a capsular contracture on the harder side.
Sounds like your right breast has developed a capsular contracture (internal scarring). You should check with your surgeon to determine the manner in which to proceed. It is correctable. Dr. ES
