Is It Possible to Have Capsular Contracture After Only 4 Weeks Post Op?

Question

I had sub-muscular silicone impants 4 weeks ago. My left breast has softened nicely, but my right is still hard. Could this be capsular contracture?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

In capsular contracture, the tissue around your implant can potentially tighten, and this is what squeezes the implant to make it feel harder. If you've just recently noticed that your breasts have changed in shape, feel, and how they project from your body, then you're right - you could be developing capsular contracture. While you can feel for yourself for any changes that indicate capsular contracture (signs include hardness, swelling, pain, and a rounder, more ball-like shape), please book an appointment with your surgeon who may examine you to see if it actually is. Your examination sometimes can involve an ultrasound, mammogram or MRI. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can be diagnosed and treated. Earlier detection is always better. Treatments for capsular contracture include medications, therapeutic massage and stretching, as well as implant removal/replacement. On the other hand, however, it can also mean that your right breast hasn't settled yet since you're still early in your recovery.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Four weeks after surgery, if your breast is hard on one side, early capsular contracture can certainly be a diagnosis.  Bob Ersek, M.D., of Houston, Texas, wrote a landmark paper on a "fibrous storm" where under certain conditions a capsular contracture can occur as early as a week after surgery. I am sure your plastic surgeon will want to see you and evaluate the tight breast, but the short answer is "yes", you can have a capsular contracture for multiple reasons at one month.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

The tightness that you are experiencing may be a result of swelling, a hematoma, or early capsular contracture.  An examination is absolutely essential in order to minimize early development of capsular contracture. At the 4 week interval, true capsular contracture vs. normal tissue capsule formation, are still viable options. Surgery90210

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

In general, it is difficult to diagnose a capsular contracture at this point because scar tissue is normally forming at this point up until 6 weeks after surgery. However, it may be easier to diagnose after 6 weeks if it continues to remain firmer than the other side. There may be a variety of other reasons while one breast is firmer than the other which include hematoma, seroma, swelling, size difference, implant volume differences, etc

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

There are many suspected causes of a capsular contracture but the most likely causes are implant contamination, bleeding and infection.  Surgical technique is critical as prevention is the cure for capsular contracture.  The risk of a capsular contracture when implants are placed above the muscle is in the 20 to 30% range.  When the implant is placed either subfascial or sub muscular the risk is in the 4 to 7% range.  The no touch technique was first described in 1991.  This means avoiding any surface contamination of the implant during insertion.  The no touch technique combined with irrigation with antibiotic and betadine solution as well as use of a funnel has greatly decreased the risk.

Is It Possible to Have Capsular Contracture After Only 4 Weeks Post Op?

Answers (10)

Answer: BReast augmentation: one breast is firmer than the other

Answer: BReast augmentation: one breast is firmer than the other

Answer: Unlikely to have an early capsular contracture

Answer: Unlikely to have an early capsular contracture

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Is It Possible to Have Capsular Contracture After Only 4 Weeks Post Op?

Answers (10)

Answer: BReast augmentation: one breast is firmer than the other

Answer: BReast augmentation: one breast is firmer than the other

Answer: Unlikely to have an early capsular contracture

Answer: Unlikely to have an early capsular contracture

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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.