Signs That Breast Implants Are Encapsulated?

The firm, hard breasts that you are describing sounds like capsular contracture. This is scar tissue that can form around the implants and cause them to become more firm and distorted. If they look unnatural and are uncomfortable, you may need surgery to remove the capsules of scar tissue. It is usually recommended to also exchange the implants and place new implants under the muscle. Capsular contracture is less common with implants placed under the chest muscle.

The implants need to be massaged to keep them soft.  In the early postoperative period, it is critical to massage the implants while they are settling.  Encapsulation is characterized by hard, immobile breast implants.

Thank you for your question.
Capsular contracture to develop take at least few months so is not usual for the patients to feel that there was something not right since the beginning. 
Generally speaking the first sign of capsular contracture is a progressive hardening that can progress causing pain and change in shape and position of the implants.
Kind Regards
Mr Giorgio Netri

There is grading system for capsular contracture from 1 to 4. Many women experience some  firmness but it is often not noticeable enough to be bothersome. A higher grade contracture (3 or 4) is associated with significant pain with or without visible deformity.It seems that you may have a higher grade conditon. Unfortunately capsular contracture remains a bit of mystery and occurs in 3-10% of women with breast implants.Although there are a few non-surgical treatments as with oral medications and external ultrasound, sometimes reoperation is indicated with implant replacement into a new pocket and other manuevers. Unfortunately, once a woman develops capsular contracture it can reoccur even after surgery.You should follow up with your plastic surgeon for an evaluation. 

It is possible that you may have a capsular contracture, but it is also possible that your implants may have been overfilled.  The only way to really discern what is going on in your specific case would be to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation.  I may recommend that you bring along an operative note from your prior surgery, as this could help your doctor better crack the case.  A capsular contracture is the over-development of scar tissue around your breast implants.  While capsular contracture rates are fairly low, it can occur as this scar tissue begins to constrict or tighten around your breast implants.  This can cause the breasts to harden and distort in appearance/shape, which often leads to pain and discomfort for the patient.  The only way to address this is to perform a capsulectomy, where all capsule or scar tissue is removed from the breast pocket, and exchange your implants for new ones.  I would recommend thinking about silicone gel implants as an alternative to the saline implants, as they tend to feel and look much more natural than saline implants do.  

Actually, all breast implants will have a capsule around them. It is your body’s way of protecting itself from a foreign object. Capsule contracture occurs when the capsule starts to harden and contract, putting pressure on the implant and making it feel hard. You should be concerned about capsule contracture if there is a change in the way the breast feels or looks, if the implant starts pulling up or out, or if there is a noticeable change in sensation, such as pain or discomfort. Please seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon if you are having any of these symptoms.

If breasts have recently become firmer noticeably then you most likely have capsular contracture. Please see your surgeon or another one you can trust to have this issue taken care of. Best of luck. 

Capsular contracture is a very common risk of breast augmentation surgery.  This can occur at any point after your original surgery.  Generally, the breast will  remain firm and the implant will appear high on the chest wall.  As a capsule forms, it tries to shrink the implant to the smallest diameter possible which is a sphere.  Your operative surgeon should be able to help you determine if you have developed a capsule.Best of luck,

Without pictures and without physical examination it is difficult to accurately diagnose the problem. However this sounds like a breast capsule. Breast capsules are not uncommon after breast implants. It sounds like you need a revision. I would revise both breasts if needed. If your having pain or deformity insurance will pay for the procedure.

Unfortunately, you describe classic capsular contracture of your breast following breast augmentation. It’s important that you see your plastic surgeon and have a treatment plan formulated to deal with this problem.
Whenever a foreign material is placed inside your body, it will generate a reaction from the surrounding tissue. This typically results in the formation of a fibrous capsule that surrounds the breast implant. With time, the capsule tightens and undergoes contraction. When this occurs following breast augmentation, we call it a capsular contracture.
All patients have some capsule formation. Indeed, absence of capsule formation might result in the implants shifting. When capsule formation results in contracture, patients may experience hardening 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 the breast; as time goes on, this may be accompanied by pain and progressive distortion of the breast. The breast may shift in an upward direction and develop an abnormal shape.
The cause of capsular contracture is not totally understood, although multiple theories exist. When capsular contracture occurs, there are several treatment options. In mild cases, medical management and massage may be necessary. In severe cases of capsular contracture, surgery may be necessary. This may require release of the contracture by performing a capsulotomy, or removal of the capsule by performing a capsultectomy. Treatment has a high satisfaction rate and most patients are ultimately happy.