When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it capsular contracture?

Question

I got a Breast Augmentation a month an about 2 1/2 weeks ago, almost 2 months. Everything feels fine except the fact that when I wake up after a nights rest my muscles feel very tight. It is mostly above my breast. It feels like knots form. I have tried multiple different ways of sleeping and nothing works. I just wake up and massage them and they feel fine after. My breast is not misshapen or hard in any way but i am concerned. Could this be a sign of capsular contracture ??

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. Cap con cannot be diagnosed by a description and needs an in-person physical exam. However, at only 2 months after surgery, it is unlikely that you have developed true cap con. This is likely just part of the normal healing process and you need to just be patient and give your body more time to adjust to the implants. I think that by 6 months, things will be better. If there are questions before then, you should schedule an evaluation with your plastic surgeon.Good luck!

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

From what you are describing it sounds more like you muscle tightening or having muscle spasm.  Although rare to have it this far out, it can happen.I would continue what your postoperative regimen and follow your surgeons recs, specially if it calls for massaging.  If you breasts are not misshapen or hard unlikely it is capsular contracture.  An exam by your plastic surgeon can help put your mind at ease.Hope that helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ram_123,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. Capsular contracture affects people approximately one in 20.  No one knows exactly what causes it and what can prevent it completely. It's important for your doctor to use a minimal incision and a Keller funnel as a sleeve to protect the implant from touching anything before goes into the breast pocket.  Singulair has been shown to prevent it. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

In the absence of firmness of the breast, it probably is not capsular contracture, though it is hard to know without an exam. It may be muscle spasm or a pocket that is a bit narrow for the implant. Massage may help with symptoms; if a true capsular contracture is present, massage may not accomplish much but probably does not hurt matters. Even though it's almost two months, that is still early in the healing process and the implants are likely to settle somewhat more as tissues continue to relax in the absence of a capsular contracture. Stay in touch with your surgeon and relay your issues on your routine followup exams.

When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it capsular contracture?

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Answer: When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it #capsularcontracture?

Answer: When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it #capsularcontracture?

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When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it capsular contracture?

Answers (4)

Answer: When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it #capsularcontracture?

Answer: When lying down, breasts feel tight. Is it #capsularcontracture?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

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