What Can I Expect From Capsulectomy Recovery?

It’s not unusual for patients who undergo capsulectomy
surgery to be concerned about the recovery from this type of procedure. It’s
important to realize that each patient’s situation is unique and for this
reason recovery varies from patient to patient. We
generally recommend that patients take a week off from work. Patients who have
desk jobs may return sooner. In most cases, drains have been removed within a
week of surgery. Light exercise can usually be undertaken at about two weeks,
and strenuous physical activity can be resumed at six weeks.At that time, we tell patients that they can
return to full activity, without restrictions.When
all of these factors are considered, most patients feel that the recovery was
less difficult than expected.

Dear San Antonio1220,The majority of breast augmentation patients need one week of downtime and the same should be with capsulectomy. Depending on the work environment (heavy lifting, etc) more time off may be necessary. Patients are encouraged to walk immediately after surgery to avoid blood clots in the legs. I suggest that you follow your plastic surgeon’s post-operative instructions, especially on the level of activity that you can do and your scheduled follow up checkups, for faster and recovery.Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Post-operative healing

Patients
will feel sore and tired during the first 48 to 72 hours following surgery.
During these first few days, the patient should engage in light activities,
refraining from lifting or raising the arms above the head.

Swelling
and bruising will subside during the first week after surgery and will be
controlled by pain medication. The initial surgical tapes will be removed a few
weeks after surgery during a post operative visit. Patients typically may
return to a work a few days after surgery (only a light workload during the
first two weeks). Showers are permitted on post op day #3 if there are no
drains.

Scars
will progressively fade throughout the first year following surgery.

Hello! Thank you for your question! It is a matter of surgeon
preference as well as what is seen during your procedure that will
determine whether or not a complete capsulectomy is performed. If
significant capsule formation is seen intraoperatively, a full capsule
removal may be warranted with a drain in order to completely remove all
of the tissue and allow better adherence of your breast back to its
normal anatomic position down on your chest wall. If minimal contracture
is seen, it may be possible to leave the capsule, or place cuts within
the capsule to allow better adherence. It truly is dependent on what is
seen with your capsule and the issues that may be causing you to have
such a procedure (e.g., contracture from rutptured implant vs pain vs
simple pocket adjustment, etc).  Implants mayor may not be replaced depending on your discussion and reason for capsulectomy.  Without knowing your issues and
without an examination, it is difficult to tell you what may be the
best thing for you. I tend to favor performing capsulectomies (in an en bloc fashion) in order
to create a fresh pocket, reshape the pocket, allow better shape and
adherence of the overlying breast. I would discuss your issues with your
plastic surgeon who will assist you in determining the right modality
for you. Most patients tolerate this procedure very well with minimal downtime.  It is typically an outpatient procedure with most being able to resume activities within a few days along with restrictions for a week or so.  Many surgeons will recommend a postoperative garment for several weeks postop as well.  Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Post-Operative Healing following Capsulectomy varies from patient to patient.Below are some generalizations.
Patients will feel sore and tired during the first 48 to 72 hours following surgery.  During these first few days, the patient should engage in light activities, refraining from lifting or raising the arms above the head.

Swelling and bruising will subside during the first week after surgery and will be controlled by pain medication.  The initial dressings will be removed a few weeks after surgery during a post operative visit.  Patients typically may return to a work a few days after surgery (only a light workload during the first two weeks).

Hi San Antonio1220, Your surgeon and his team should do a thorough pre-op to answer all of these questions for you. Every patient and every case is different. Yes, with drains expect some level of annoyance. The only added "difficulty" to recovery with drains is having to be mindful of them. I wouldn't recommend any activity for a week. If you're planning on shooting a wedding the next week, I would bring and assistant to carry your equipment and help you. Good luck!

While each patient and each case is different, the healing process post capsulectomy is similar to the original breast augmentation. However, many patient find it easier as the submuscular pocket is already created. Patients generally can start light activity after 3 to 5 days.

Recovery after capsulectomy is much like that after breast augmentation, though often the discomfort is less as the submuscular pocket causes the most soreness and is already present. We don't understand the drain and don't use one. If the breast pocket is dry as the implant is replaced the drain only seems a potential two way street for contamination of the implant.

Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

The majority of discomfort after breast Augmentation is related to the creation of the pocket for the implant, the skin stretching by the implant and a small amount to the short skin incision. In your case, I am assuming your surgeon will use the same incision, the implant will be removed, the majority of the scar tissue (Capsule will be peeled off along with the implant, the new implant pocket will then be washed with antibiotic solution, a small drain will be placed and exited in the arm pit to hide the scar (and will be mildly annoying for a few days), another implant will be placed and the incision closed. The recovery will be much easier than the first operation. I would recommend you wear bra support immediately to minimize making the pocket larger by implant movement as well as decrease fluid creation. By 9 days, the drain will be out and you should be able to shoot the wedding.

Peter A Aldea, MD

Thank you for the question.

As you can imagine every patient responds differently to surgical procedures. However,  based on the description of recovery after your first operation,  I would anticipate a relatively painless recovery for you  after capsulectomy  surgery.  I also think that your plan in regards to return to work is reasonable.

The use of a drain after capsulectomy is quite common. Usually it is more an annoyance than a pain  issue. 

Please do  run these questions by your surgeon is well since he/she knows your situation best and can  give you a more accurate estimation of recovery time.

Best wishes.