1 year post-op & breasts still have very round appearance in cleavage & upper pole, capsular contracture? (Photo)

Question

I am 1 year post-op but my breasts still have an very round appearance in cleavage and upper-pole. I initially wanted to go for tear-drop implants but wad told they are associated with a lymphoma. I was told we could get similar results even with round implants, under the muscle. So far, this is not the case, especially in my right breast which hasn't fully dropped. Is this capsular contracture or something else. They also don't feel soft and I can feel the implant when I touch.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

It appears your breasts have capsular contracture.  It appears the implants may be in front of the muscle not behind.  You will need a revision with possible removal of capsules and replacing the implants in a different pocket.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for posting! It seems like your implants have stoped settling and one is higher then the other. Implants under the muscle are a great option especially for patients like yourself that do not have a lot of breast tissue to cover the implants, but one of the draw backs is that they sometimes settle a bit too high. Even after a year, they can eventually drop with massages, and/or varios other techniques you can discuss with your plastic surgeon so there is no need to rush into surgery yet.

This may happen because the pocket is a little tight so the implants just dos not drop as much as it should and sometimes this can be due to a capsular contraction. This impossible to determine without an in person evaluation though.

Capsular contraction is associated with stiff / hard breasts. The capsular contracted breasts may eventually be deformed and even become painful when manipulated. This does not seem to be your case.

I would guess your high implant position is probably due to a small pocket and/or strong pectoral muscles holding on to the implants. The good news is, treatment for both would be the same and is fairly simple  Pocket Revision with or without Implant Exchange.

Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Capsular contracture can cause breast implants to change shape and become stiff.  My recommendation would be a revision to remove the capsule, taking all measures to avoid future encapsulation.  You should be able to improve this situation.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You may have a capsule, especially since it does not feel soft. I suggest going back to your surgeon and being examined.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear akhhbv,
Round breast implants in very thin patients, such as yourself, often appear round.  You simply don't have enough tissue coverage over the implants to give a tear drop look.  The issue of capsular contracture is best assessed by in person examination and depending on the implant manufacturer may be covered under warranty for replacement.  Good luck!

1 year post-op & breasts still have very round appearance in cleavage & upper pole, capsular contracture? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breast implants in thin patients

Answer: Breast implants in thin patients

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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1 year post-op & breasts still have very round appearance in cleavage & upper pole, capsular contracture? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breasts

Answer: Breast implants in thin patients

Answer: Breast implants in thin patients

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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