12 months post op.. lateral displacement or cap con? (Photo)

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if it's true capsular contracture based on photos. From what you're describing it does sound like it. However, it is possible the muscle wasn't released adequately on the right side causing it to sit higher and more lateral.
In either case a revision would be able to correct the issue. I would likely treat it as a capsular contraction regardless to decrease the risk of potential recurrence. I might also suggest trying to improve the position of the left - it's rather lateral as well but if you love it you could leave it alone.

You may have had preoperative asymmetry so before pictures would help. Lilley need revision to improve your result. Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience. What you’re describing—differences in drop, tightness, and sensation between the two sides—is something that can occasionally happen even a year after surgery. Breast tissue, muscle tension, and implant pocket formation may progress at slightly different rates, especially when under-the-muscle placement is involved.
The appearance of one implant riding higher or sitting more laterally could be related to how the muscle healed or how the implant settled in the pocket. Muscle flexion causing visible distortion on one side is also a known issue with submuscular placement, particularly if the pocket is tight or slightly malpositioned.
Since you’re still feeling unsure, a detailed re-evaluation—either with your original surgeon or another board-certified plastic surgeon—might provide more clarity. Imaging is not always required, but a physical assessment can help determine whether this is within the spectrum of normal healing or if any intervention (such as pocket revision or capsulotomy) might be appropriate.
We hope your concerns are resolved soon and wish you comfort and clarity as you explore next steps.

Either your implant did not settle like the left side, or you have developed a very early contracture . . . I would favor first given it has been there from the beginning. Nonetheless, revision can help the implant properly settle into the pocket. Thank you for sharing.

Based off your photos only (without before photos or a physical exam) - the asymmetry is always normal, and without before photos to really analyze your right side versus left side - difficult to say if this is maybe some capsular thickening on the right or maybe the pocket needs a little more medial work (muscle release). The gap in between the breast is your native anatomy - so that part will be difficult to change, but speak to your surgeon about doing some revision work for the right side - potentially can be a mixture of releasing more pec muscle and medializing the pocket more and/or some capsule work needed. (And fat grafting to the inner part of your breast to perhaps give you a little more cleavage and more symmetry.

I recommend an in person evaluation with a plastic surgeon for the answer.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Thank you for your question and pictures. Based on your history and your photos, it does appear that you have developed capsular contracture to the right breast. Capsular contracture typically occurs within the first 2 years after surgery. A physical exam would be best to determine if you truly do have cap con. Treatment would be surgical and include at least a capsulotomy (release of the capsule) or partial capsulectomy (removal of a portion of the capsule) along with an implant exchange. Please visit with your surgeon and discuss your concerns.

Thank you for your question. Based on the photos provided it appears you have a capsular contracture on the right side. This can easily be confirmed by your PS on physical exam. A CC will cause the implant to be higher, firmer and prevent it from settling. I would re consult with your PS.

It's difficult to give you a straight answer based on just the photos and no physical exam. Based on your history and the fact that the left dropped and settled, I believe that you have a class III capsule contracture of the right. IMHO is that the right side will not drop on its own. There is also the possibility that the implant was placed under total muscle coverage. This could also account for the high riding implant. I feel you would benefit from a capsulectomy (removal of the contracted capsule) with an implant exchange on that side. Good luck. Dr. PG

Hi, lateral displacement is when the implant displaces laterally or towards the side of the chest usually when lying down. This occurs if the tissues holding the implant in place are weak or were weakened during surgery. Capsular contracture ("cap con") is when the "bag" of scar that surrounds the implant and which should stay soft and supple becomes thick and tight. Usually the implant will go up, may have some symptoms of tightness or pulling and when moving both implants in and out you would notice that the right side would be more firm to movement. Surgery is usually required to release the scar. There are other options depending on a discussion between you and your surgeon to treat it but it is almost exclusively done surgically. There are no medications that reliably reduce capsular contracture. Best of luck.