One breast is harder than other a year after surgery?

Question

I had breast augmentation surgery last year and the Dr. Said that he felt that putting over the muscle was best because I had too little breast tissue. Now a year later, I notice that one of my breast is harder than the other. Should I be worried?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Capsular contracture is when there is abnormal scarring around your implant, tightening it and causing the breast to feel firm. The breast may also look abnormally round or elevated. This can sometimes be treated without surgery, but if the problem persists, you may need surgery. I recommend you go back to your surgeon to have your breast checked out as soon as you can. Best of luck.

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

If  you had little breast tissue to begin with, the correct answer would have been to put the implants under the muscle in order to have better coverage over the implants.  It sounds as if you have now developed a capsular contracture, a thickened scar tissue capsule that forms around the implant and contracts, causing the breast to feel firm or distort the shape of the breast.  This is a bigger issue when implants are placed above the chest muscle for two reasons.  When implants are below the chest muscle, the muscle moves over the top of the implants and massages them as you go about your daily routine.  This helps prevent capsular contractures.  More importantly, when implants are placed below the chest muscle, the muscle forms a barrier between the implants and the breast tissue.  This is important because bacteria live within the breast tissue and may be responsible for forming a biofilm around the implants that can become a thicker capsule.  My suggestion would be to reposition your implants under your chest muscle.

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

It sounds like you may be developing a capsular contracture on the breast that is hard.  That means that the scar tissue is thickening around your implant causing your breast to feel hard, possibly making your breast look distorted and/or sitting higher than your other breast.  This needs to be evaluated in person with your surgeon so it can either be ruled out or you can use that time to learn your options to correct it.  Good luck! ac

Carmen Kavali, MD · Answer

This could be a sign of capsular contracture.  You should be evaluated in person for this.  Treatment for early capsular contracture may include singulair or accolate, as well as massage.  More severe contracture requires surgery.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

You should see your PS as you may have a capsular contracture among other things and they need to determine this for you.

One breast is harder than other a year after surgery?

Answers (7)

Answer: One breast harder than the other a year after surgery....

Answer: One breast harder than the other a year after surgery....

Answer: BBA

Answer: BBA

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

One breast is harder than other a year after surgery?

Answers (7)

Answer: One breast harder than the other a year after surgery....

Answer: One breast harder than the other a year after surgery....

Answer: BBA

Answer: BBA

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.